Hardware & Network Engineer - Power Systems (m/w/d)

Join Nextracker as a Hardware & Network Engineer in Sorocaba, Brazil. Design and validate control systems for renewable energy plants, ensuring secure and reliable operations. Enjoy a collaborative culture and opportunities for professional growth in a leading solar technology company. Become a Hardware & Network Engineer with Nextracker in Sorocaba, Brazil, and lead the design of control systems for utility-scale renewable energy projects. You'll develop hardware architecture, network topologies, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and enjoy a culture that values innovation and professional growth while making a real impact on sustainable energy solutions.

Nextracker Sorocaba, Brazil On-site Full Time UTC-03:00

Nextracker

Company Overview

Name

Nextracker, rebranded as Nextpower

Headquarters

Fremont, CA, United States

Founded

2013

Size

Approximately 1,050 employees (source: cbinsights.com). Revenue of $2.7 billion in FY 2024 (source: cbinsights.com).

What They Do

Nextracker, now known as Nextpower, specializes in solar energy solutions, focusing on intelligent solar trackers, foundations, software, electrical balance of system (eBOS), robotics, and services tailored for utility-scale and ground-mounted distributed generation projects. Their innovative technology allows solar panels to track the sun, optimizing energy yield while ensuring durability against extreme weather conditions (source: cbinsights.com). The company’s flagship product, the NX Horizon tracker, features a modular and resilient design that is deployed globally, ensuring maximum uptime and efficiency. Additionally, the NX Horizon XTR is designed for complex terrains, reducing the need for extensive site grading, while the NX Horizon Low Carbon is recognized as the first verified low-emission tracker (source: nextpower.com). With over 600 patents, Nextpower leads the market as the #1 global tracker supplier, emphasizing made-in-USA production with a capacity of 300 MW per week (source: ptc.com). Their target markets include engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, developers, and asset owners in the utility-scale solar sector, where they differentiate themselves through integrated systems that reduce levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and enhance installation speed and yield (source: nextpower.com).

Projects & Track Record

Nextpower has an impressive track record, having contributed to over 1,000 solar plants across more than 40 countries, with over 20 GW tracked as of 2022, and this number is expected to grow significantly with over 100 GW of trackers shipped (source: ptc.com). Their notable projects include widespread deployments of the NX Horizon tracker, which have been instrumental in enhancing efficiency in utility-scale solar installations. While specific project names are not extensively detailed, partnerships with companies like Primoris Services highlight their capability in managing complex soil conditions (source: dcfmodeling.com). The company’s ongoing commitment to innovation is evident in their recent developments, including the establishment of U.S. steel lines in Phoenix and Corpus Christi, which support their manufacturing capabilities (source: pv-magazine-usa.com).

Recent Developments

In the past two years, Nextpower has undergone significant transformations, including the completion of its spin-off from Flex in 2024 and the acquisition of Ojjo on June 20, 2024, which expanded their foundations business for challenging soils (source: ngpenergy.com). The launch of NX Foundation Solutions in July 2024, which incorporates Ojjo's Truss Driver technology, has further enhanced their offerings, allowing for over 1 million piles driven (source: investors.nextracker.com). Additionally, the establishment of a dedicated AI/robotics division and the appointment of Chief AI Officer Francesco Borrelli signal Nextpower's commitment to integrating advanced technologies into their operations (source: powermag.com). The rebranding to Nextpower on November 12, 2025, reflects their strategic shift towards a broader range of power technology innovations, including eBOS and power conversion systems expected to launch in 2026 (source: pv-tech.org).

Working There

Nextpower offers a diverse range of roles across various departments, including engineering, operations, quality assurance, manufacturing, sales, and new positions in AI and robotics. The company employs over 300 internal users and collaborates with around 200 suppliers across multiple countries, including the U.S., Australia, India, Mexico, and Spain (source: zoominfo.com). The Fremont headquarters serves as a central hub for hiring, complemented by manufacturing sites in Phoenix, Arizona, and Corpus Christi, Texas. The company culture emphasizes rapid innovation, with processes designed to accelerate product launches and approvals, fostering a collaborative environment that transcends geographical boundaries (source: ptc.com). While specific benefits are not extensively detailed, the competitive cleantech environment and hybrid work model in Fremont suggest a focus on employee satisfaction and engagement (source: climatebase.org).

Contact

Website · Careers · LinkedIn

Last updated on 2025-12-27 | Report an issue

Job Description

Nextracker's Control Systems Engineering team designs and delivers advanced control and communication solutions that optimize the performance of utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid power plants.

We are seeking a Hardware & Network Engineer to design, configure, and validate plant-level control systems that ensure reliable, secure, and standards-compliant operation of renewable generation assets.

In this role, you will lead the hardware and network design for these control systems, selecting appropriate controller platforms (PLC or IPC), developing detailed electrical and communication schematics, and ensuring robust system integration. You will collaborate closely with firmware, SCADA, and commissioning teams to deliver fully validated control panels ready for field deployment.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with strong technical expertise in control hardware design and industrial networking, capable of bridging the gap between electrical design, automation, and cybersecurity. You thrive in collaborative environments, demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills, and are comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams delivering high-reliability solutions for renewable energy projects.

Key Job Responsibilities

Hardware Design

Define and document controller hardware architecture (PLC or IPC), including CPU selection, I/O modules, power supplies, and redundancy configurations.
Design electrical schematics, panel layouts, and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
Generate I/O lists, instrumentation diagrams, and field interface wiring for sensors, breakers, inverters, meters, and RTUs.
Specify and validate industrial enclosures, power supplies, and terminal blocks in compliance with UL 508A and NEC standards.
Coordinate Factory and Site Acceptance Tests (FAT/SAT) with vendors, EPCs, and clients.

Network and Communication Design

Develop plant-level network topologies including control, SCADA, and utility communication layers.
Configure managed switches, routers, and firewalls (e.g., Cisco, Moxa, Hirschmann, Siemens Scalance).
Implement redundant Ethernet networks (RSTP, PRP, or HSR) and define IP addressing and VLAN schemes.
Define cybersecurity zones and ensure compliance with IEC 62443 and NERC CIP guidelines.
Support time synchronization (NTP/PTP) and network diagnostic testing.

Integration & Commissioning Support

Collaborate with firmware and SCADA teams to map signals, tags, and commands between controllers and field devices.
Support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and simulation testing using RTDS, OPAL-RT.
Participate in on-site commissioning and network validation for renewable generation facilities.
Review vendor-provided network and control documentation, including logical/physical network diagrams, VLAN configurations, and VPN setup.

Basic Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, or Power Systems Engineering.
Experience: 5-10 years in power plant control system design for solar, storage, or hybrid facilities.
Proven experience with PLC/IPC-based control architecture, industrial networking, and SCADA integration.
Knowledge of utility interconnection standards and grid code compliance (IEEE 1547, UL 1741 SA, IEC 61850).
Familiarity with industrial network redundancy, cybersecurity best practices, and remote access (VPN) setup.
Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN, and experience generating detailed control panel documentation.
Languages: Proficiency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's degree in electrical engineering, Controls/Automation, or Power Systems Engineering.
Experience with renewable energy control systems and grid-connected automation panels.
Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting managed switches and firewalls in industrial environments.
Languages: Proficiency in English.
Familiarity with RTDS, OPAL-RT, or MATLAB/Simulink for control system validation.
Understanding of commissioning procedures for control panels, including FAT/SAT execution.
Experience with redundant control architectures and industrial VPN solutions.

Why Join Nextracker?

🚀 Innovative Environment

Be part of a team at the forefront of revolutionizing solar energy technology. Collaborate with experts passionate about driving clean and sustainable solutions to power the world.

📈 Professional Growth

At Nextracker, we encourage continuous learning and provide opportunities for professional development. Take on challenges, expand your skill set, and advance your career alongside accomplished professionals.

🤝 Collaborative Culture

We believe in the power of teamwork. Share your ideas, engage in cross-functional collaborations, and contribute to a culture that values diversity and inclusiveness.

🎯Impactful Work

Join us in making a real impact on the planet by accelerating the adoption of renewable energy. Your contributions will play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future.

At Nextracker, we are leading in energy transition, providing the most comprehensive portfolio of intelligent solar trackers and software solutions for solar power plants, as well as strategic services to capture the full value of solar power plants for our customers. Our talented worldwide teams are transforming PV plant performance every day with smart technology, data monitoring and analysis services.

For us at Nextracker, sustainability is not just a word. It's a core part of our business, values and our operations. Our sustainability efforts are based on five cornerstones: People, Community, Environment, Innovation, and Integrity. We are creative, collaborative and passionate problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds, driven by our shared mission to provide smart solar and software solutions for our customers and to mitigate climate change for future generations.

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we're building the foundation for the world's next generation of clean energy infrastructure.