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Sustaining Engineer Independent Contractor / Consultant

Join Smart Wires as a Sustaining Engineer contractor in North Carolina. Provide expert technical support for power flow control assets remotely with flexible hours. Benefit from a dynamic role in a leading renewable energy tech company focused on grid efficiency and reliability.

Flexible Contract position UTC-05:00 Updated 92 days ago

Applies on recruiting.paylocity.com

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Smart Wires provides advanced power flow control solutions and analytics that enable controllable power systems. This gives grid operators more control over where power flows and helps them use their existing networks more efficiently. Our solutions support system reliability, reduce congestion, and make it easier to integrate new load and generation while minimizing costs and community disruption. We collaborate with customers to achieve their strategic objectives and help them face an uncertain energy future with flexible, high-impact solutions.

Engagement Summary

Smart Wires is seeking an experienced engineer to provide specialized, project-based engineering services to our Global Engineering team on a contract basis.

The consultant will provide technical expertise supporting deployed assets across their lifecycle, from commissioning through retirement, and will help establish proactive approaches to identifying and managing field issues.

This engagement requires an experienced engineering professional who brings strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and the ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment while working independently.

Scope of Services

The services may include:

  • Providing technical analysis and recommendations related to field issues
  • Monitoring performance trends across deployed devices and systems
  • Developing written maintenance recommendations for deployed assets
  • Guiding Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities
  • Recommending and supporting implementation of design improvements for released products
  • Collaborating with internal engineering stakeholders and customer-facing teams as needed to support successful outcomes

Requirements

  • Extensive experience in customer-facing roles within the electric power sector, preferably supporting technical products or field operations
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or equivalent technical background
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible technical experience

Preferred Experience

  • Supporting utility products in field environments
  • Conducting RCAs
  • Designing power-electronics-based products
  • Troubleshooting PCBAs

Engagement Terms

Independent contractor agreement governed by the Company's standard Consulting Services Agreement

This is a remote, independent contractor engagement with flexible scheduling.

  • Estimated commitment of approximately 20 hours per week
  • Actual scheduling is at Consultant's discretion, with reasonable efforts to be available for pre-scheduled meetings with internal stakeholders and customers during standard business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET)
  • Engagement term is anticipated to be approximately no more than 3 months but could be extended
  • No travel is anticipated for this engagement

Reporting / Collaboration

The consultant's work will be under the guidance of the Chief of Engineering. The consultant will coordinate with other internal stakeholders as needed to support successful project execution and customer outcomes.

Typical pay for similar roles

Estimate
US$123,920–193,138 annually
Lead / management · Project Management · United States · 259 similar jobs

The middle half of pay advertised on Rejobs for this group over the last 24 months. This employer has not stated a salary.

About this role

Posted
8 Jul 2026
Updated
8 Jul 2026
Job type
Contract position
Workplace
Flexible
Sectors
Working hours
UTC-05:00
Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible technical experience
LinkedInSmart Wires

About Smart Wires

Company Overview

Name

Smart Wires, a private company

Headquarters

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Founded

2010

Size

Approximately 100 employees (source: pitchbook.com)

What They Do

Smart Wires specializes in developing grid-enhancing technology designed to optimize electric transmission networks rather than generating renewable energy itself. Their core offerings include modular power-flow control hardware and software that enable utilities to actively direct electricity over existing transmission lines, unlocking additional capacity, reducing congestion, and improving grid reliability (source: smartwires.com). The company’s product portfolio features solutions such as SmartValve™, SUMO, and Analytics Advisory Services, which combine hardware, software, and consulting to dynamically control and optimize high-voltage transmission grids (source: thecompanycheck.com). Targeting electric utilities and grid operators worldwide, Smart Wires offers a faster, more flexible alternative to building new transmission lines by deploying modular, scalable devices that adapt to evolving network demands (source: careers.nsbe.org).

Projects & Track Record

Smart Wires has successfully collaborated with customers and partners to unlock nearly 4 gigawatts of transmission capacity, which is sufficient to power over 2.5 million homes globally (source: smartwires.com). A notable recent project was announced on May 28, 2025, when Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) partnered with Smart Wires to enhance grid reliability and increase capacity specifically for data centers in San Jose, California (source: investor.pgecorp.com). The company’s global footprint is reflected in its ongoing projects and hiring for roles supporting operations in Europe and Colombia, indicating a broad international presence and adoption by leading utilities worldwide (source: thejobnetwork.com).

Recent Developments

In 2025, Smart Wires continued to advance its market presence and financing activities, including a private-equity deal finalized on January 29, 2025, underscoring ongoing investor confidence (source: pitchbook.com). The collaboration with PG&E announced in May 2025 to improve grid capacity for San Jose data centers highlights the company’s role in addressing critical infrastructure needs in rapidly growing markets (source: investor.pgecorp.com). Smart Wires maintains active corporate communications and press releases throughout 2025, reflecting a transparent and engaged approach to market and stakeholder relations (source: smartwires.com).

Working There

Smart Wires offers a diverse range of roles spanning software quality assurance, electrical and power systems engineering, systems and sustaining engineering, IT systems administration, and logistics, reflecting its integrated hardware, software, and operational business model (source: thejobnetwork.com). The company’s headquarters in Durham, North Carolina, serves as the primary office location, where employees are expected to work onsite for at least 24 core hours weekly, fostering collaboration during key business hours (source: paylocity.com). Publicly available information highlights a mission-driven culture focused on global engineering collaboration and customer partnership to transform electric grids (source: smartwires.com). Benefits for Durham-based employees include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, supporting a comprehensive employee value proposition (source: ziprecruiter.com).

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