Senior Systems Engineer

At SMA America, we believe in Energy that Changes. Since 1981, SMA has been developing innovative solar technology with a purpose -- making the installation, operation, and maintenance of photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer and more cost effective. In the meantime, we’ve also been collecting awards as a great place to work, providing growth opportunities to our employees, and challenging conventional thought.

The Senior Systems Engineer is responsible for providing Engineering support for Large Scale products and their application at a system level. The Senior Systems Engineer is required to maintain expert knowledge of all Large-Scale Products, their function in PV, Battery, Power to Gas System; troubleshooting system level problems with SMA and customer supplied equipment. This position interfaces and supports development teams, service teams, and customers to optimize products and addressing system failures.

 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides technical expertise for SMA’s Large Scale products: Central Inverters, Medium Voltage Equipment, Communication & Control, Converters and Rectifiers.
• Requires familiarization with major third-party equipment found in a PV, Battery, or Power to Gas power plant, such as Batteries, PV Panels, Battery Management Systems, Plant Controllers, Substation equipment and electroliers.
• Provides engineering support for complex issues, to the Large-Scale technical support teams, field service and serve as primary customer interface when required.
• Provides advanced electrical theory to technical escalations/ investigations from the Regional Competency Center and Field Service teams, as well as coaching those teams to elevate their technical capabilities and skills.
• Represents the Service Department as technical expert during cross function collaborations with Headquarters to perform root cause analysis, optimization of product design, as well as performance and serviceability of SMA products.
• Troubleshoots complex system failures in the field and provide extensive analysis/ interpretation of the failure as well as recommend solution options.
• Develops and maintains a well-structured database to facilitate efficient and effective dissemination of technical information, work instructions, and processes to the department and to customers.
• Other duties as may be required or assigned.

 

Required Training:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering is required.
• A master’s degree in electrical engineering is strongly preferred.

 

Required Relevant Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in a Technical or Engineering role or equivalent are required.
• 5 Years Experience in at least two of the following fields PV systems, Battery Storage systems, Plant communications/ controllers, Medium Voltage products and /or Power to Gas Solutions
• Experience in the renewable industry, solar installation, system design and/or inspection is preferred.

 

Other Specialized Skills:

• Ability to work nonstandard business hours occasionally to support service customer contracts.
• Knowledge of SCADA systems, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) is preferred.
• Advanced skills related to configuring, managing, and supporting communication protocols (Modbus, DNP, OPC, ICCP, TCP/IP, TCP/UDP) are preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of SMA's Large Scale product line is strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of engineering and mathematical concepts is required.
• Advanced knowledge of power plant measurement devices and techniques is strongly preferred.
• Attention to detail at a high level of accuracy and ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
• Proficiency in the English language, both written and verbal, is required. German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) is required.

Our EEO Policy 

We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one’s race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.