Instrumentation Engineer (Utility-Scale Solar)

Job Description

Terabase is advancing utility-scale solar through digitalization, automation, and advanced engineering. We design, deploy, and support technologies that improve plant performance, reduce LCOE, and accelerate deployment timelines across global markets.

We are seeking an Instrumentation Engineer with deep experience in utility-scale solar to lead the specification, integration, commissioning, and lifecycle support of field instrumentation and industrial communication protocols, including Modbus RTU/ASCII, Modbus TCP, and DNP3. You will own the end-to-end telemetry chain-from met station sensors and data loggers to SCADA/EMS points-ensuring accurate, reliable, secure, and standards-compliant data exchange for real-time control, performance analytics, and regulatory reporting.

You'll collaborate closely with SCADA, controls, performance engineering, EPCs, and O&M partners to deliver highly available plant data systems that scale.

What You'll Do

• Design & Specification
  • Define instrumentation architecture for met stations (irradiance, ambient temp, module temp, wind, barometric pressure), grid interconnection points, and balance-of-plant systems.
  • Author bill of materials (BOM), wiring diagrams, loop sheets, panel layouts, and instrument datasheets per project standards.
  • Select sensors, transducers, loggers, gateways, and protective devices aligned with IEC/IEEE/NEMA and utility requirements.
• Protocol Integration
  • Configure and map points for Modbus RTU/TCP, DNP3 (secure/authenticated where applicable), and vendor-specific interfaces.
  • Develop point lists, registers, scaling, units, deadbands, and exception reporting to SCADA/EMS/Historian systems.
  • Implement time synchronization (NTP/IRIG-B), event logging, and sequence-of-events (SOE) requirements.
• Commissioning & Validation
  • Plan and execute FAT/SAT for met stations and plant instrumentation; perform end-to-end signal checks (sensor → controller → gateway → SCADA).
  • Create and run test scripts for protocol polling, quality flags, and fallback logic; verify data accuracy against handheld calibrators and reference instruments.
  • Troubleshoot field issues (noise, grounding, shielding, RS-485 biasing/termination, baud rate/link-layer settings, device IDs, master/slave roles).
• Reliability, Cybersecurity & Compliance
  • Apply best practices for failover, redundancy, and health monitoring (watchdogs, heartbeats, CRC validation).
  • Support secure configurations (role-based access, encrypted transport for TCP variants, DNP3 Secure Authentication, network segmentation/VLANs).
  • Ensure compliance with utility interconnection, RTO/ISO telemetry specifications, and relevant standards (e.g., IEEE, IEC, NERC CIP collaboration with IT/OT teams).
• Operational Excellence
  • Build dashboards and alarming for sensor drift, data gaps, calibration due dates, and instrument health KPIs.
  • Author SOPs, calibration procedures, and maintenance schedules; train field techs and O&M teams.
  • Provide root-cause analysis for data anomalies impacting performance models and production guarantees.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience in utility-scale solar (100 MW+ projects preferred), focusing on plant instrumentation and SCADA/OT integration.
• Proven expertise with Modbus RTU/ASCII, Modbus TCP, and DNP3 (points mapping, scaling, polling strategies, exception reporting, time sync).
• Strong knowledge of meteorological station instrumentation (pyranometers, reference cells, anemometers, temp probes, pressure sensors), data loggers, and gateways.
• Proficiency with RS-485 physical layer (termination, biasing, shielding), industrial Ethernet, and serial-to-TCP conversions.
• Ability to read and produce P&IDs, single-line diagrams, wiring/loop sheets, and panel layouts (AutoCAD or equivalent).
• Experience commissioning instrumentation in the field, including calibration, verification, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with SCADA/Historian systems (e.g., Ignition, Wonderware/AVEVA, PI, ClearSCADA) and OT networking fundamentals.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DNP3 Secure Authentication, TLS-enabled gateways, and OT security best practices; exposure to NERC CIP environments.
• Background with IEC 61850, MQTT, or OPC-UA integrations.
• Knowledge of power plant controls (PCS/PPC), inverter telemetry, capacitor/reactor banks, switchgear, and protection relays (SEL, GE, ABB).
• Familiarity with performance analytics (PR calculations, data QA/QC, sensor uncertainty, shading & soiling analysis).
• Hands-on experience with FAT/SAT processes and test plan development.
• Experience working with EPCs, utilities, and ISOs/RTOs on telemetry and compliance packages.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Instrumentation/Controls, or related discipline (advanced degree a plus).

Tools & Technologies

• Protocol analyzers (Modbus/DNP3), serial sniffers, and network analyzers.
• Calibration tools for irradiance, temperature, and wind sensors; traceable standards.
• AutoCAD or equivalent for drawings; EPLAN/ETAP exposure is a plus.
• SCADA/Historian clients; scripting for test automation (Python, PowerShell, or similar).

Key Outcomes (First 12 Months)

• Commission multiple met stations with fully validated telemetry (quality flags, accurate scaling, synchronized timestamps).
• Deliver complete point lists and interface control documents (ICDs) for Modbus/DNP3 across inverters, meters, reclosers, and met stations.
• Establish instrumentation health monitoring and calibration program reducing data gaps by ≥ 50%.
• Improve data quality feeding performance models and regulatory reporting, cutting QA/QC rework by ≥ 30%.

Travel

• ~15-30% to project sites, vendors, and FAT/SAT locations (domestic/international as needed).

Benefits

This role offers a base salary of $100,000- $130,000 (DOE). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each posted range, individual pay is determined (and may be greater or higher), dependent on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Terabase offers competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous time off and holiday policy
• Remote flexibility
• Flexible time off
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Career progression
• 401k match
• Stock options
• Home office set up allowance
• And much more!

Terabase is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

We do not discriminate for any reason including race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military/ veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, the diverse consumers we represent, and the communities we call home.