Job description
The Systems Engineer will support the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of Plug Power's hydrogen fueling infrastructure products. Efficiency analysis is the core of this role - mass and energy balance, ROI modeling, and test validation - supported by process sustaining work in change control, documentation, and operational requirements management.
The work spans thermodynamics, process controls, and systems data as applied to GenFuel infrastructure deployed across 300+ customer sites. Equipment in scope includes liquid hydrogen storage systems, dispensing infrastructure, cryogenic components, pressure systems, PLC-based controls, and process safety equipment. You will work within a collaborative engineering team and engage with field and product stakeholders as part of your day-to-day workflow.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Analyze hydrogen system efficiency across the installed base using mass and energy balance modeling, quantifying losses, identifying degradation trends, and investigating thermal and flow capacity behavior.
- Build and defend ROI analyses to support engineering change decisions, retrofit programs, and product improvement initiatives.
- Develop and validate test conditions for system-level diagnostics including pass/fail criteria definition, methodology documentation, and data-driven results verification.
- Define, document, and maintain system-level requirements and functional specifications for GenFuel components and assemblies.
- Own process documentation integrity across GenFuel systems, maintaining cause & effect matrices, alarm testing procedures, and control narratives.
- Execute and enforce the MOC process for all design and field changes, ensuring proper assessment, approval, and stakeholder communication.
- Contribute to cross-functional projects as part of a broader engineering team spanning operations, field, and design disciplines.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical, or controls engineering or closely related field.
- 0-5 years of engineering experience.
- Demonstrated ability to develop mass and energy balance models and apply them to real system performance problems.
- Demonstrated ability to build quantitative analyses - ROI models, efficiency calculations, or test condition development from first principles.
- Proficiency with data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, Excel-based modeling, or similar) to process operational datasets and support engineering conclusions.
- Ability to read and interpret P&ID drawings and apply them to system troubleshooting and change analysis.
- Familiarity with process controls concepts, instrumentation, or sensor-based systems.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills; able to present technical findings to both engineering and non-engineering audiences.
- Self-directed and organized; capable of managing workstreams independently in a remote environment.
Preferred
- Experience with hydrogen, electrolyzers, fuel cells or other electrochemical or cryogenic systems.
- Familiarity with SCADA, PLC-based controls, or industrial instrumentation.
- Familiarity with HAZOP and LOPA methodology as applied to process safety analysis.
Pay Rate:
$79,200.00 - $118,800.00
We offer a fantastic total rewards package at Plug, and a brief summary is below:
✓Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment. If you are interested in this position, we'd ask that you apply.
✓The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you.
✓Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
✓401(k) with 5% company match
✓Bonus eligibility
✓Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
✓Paid Holidays
✓Wellness Reimbursement Program
✓Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
✓Fertility and Family Building Benefit
✓Employee Referral program
✓Employee Assistance Program
Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Pay & benefits
About this role
About Plug Power
Company Overview
Plug Power Inc.
HeadquartersLatham, NY, United States
Founded1997
SizeApproximately 3,200 employees (source: stockanalysis.com). Revenue target of $20 billion by 2030 through hydrogen expansion (source: aviseanalytics.com).
What They Do
Plug Power's core technology focuses on hydrogen fuel cells, particularly proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and green hydrogen production through electrolyzers powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric. This innovative approach allows for the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in zero-carbon output (source: netzerocompare.com). Their key products include GenDrive, a PEM fuel cell system designed for material handling vehicles like forklifts, which can recharge in minutes compared to hours for traditional batteries, and GenSure, which provides stationary backup and grid support for various sectors including telecom and utilities (source: plugpower.com). Additionally, Plug Power offers ProGen fuel cell stacks and engines, which are scalable for various applications, and GenFuel, which provides onsite hydrogen fueling infrastructure (source: stockanalysis.com). Their target markets include material handling, e-mobility, stationary power, and industrial applications, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and productivity across sectors such as distribution, manufacturing, and logistics (source: plugpower.com). Plug Power is recognized as a leader in the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cells and is the largest liquid hydrogen buyer in North America, positioning itself competitively against other energy solutions like batteries (source: aviseanalytics.com).
Projects & Track Record
Plug Power has successfully deployed over 60,000 fuel cell systems globally, including more than 180 hydrogen fueling stations. Notable projects include the early adoption of GenDrive technology by the USPS forklift fleet in Capitol Heights, Maryland, in 2017, which marked a significant milestone in the company's history (source: aviseanalytics.com). Key completed projects feature installations for major clients such as Walmart, which has utilized Plug Power's systems to handle significant COVID-19 demand, and Amazon, BMW, Carrefour, and The Southern Company. In 2022, Walmart announced an agreement for up to 20 tons of liquid green hydrogen daily, showcasing the growing demand for Plug Power's solutions (source: netzerocompare.com). Ongoing projects include the manufacturing of megawatt-scale systems at the Vista facility in Latham, NY, and the establishment of hydrogen plants since 2020, alongside a $1.6 billion joint venture gigafactory with SK Group in South Korea (source: plugpower.com). Plug Power's partnerships emphasize the development of GenKey turnkey solutions, further solidifying its position in the hydrogen economy (source: aviseanalytics.com).
Recent Developments
In the past two years, Plug Power has achieved significant milestones, including surpassing 1 billion runtime hours for its fuel cells and continuing the rollout of megawatt-scale systems from its Latham Vista facility as of February 2024 (source: plugpower.com). The company also secured a deal with Walmart in 2022 for the supply of 20 tons of daily liquid green hydrogen, highlighting the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions (source: netzerocompare.com). Additionally, Plug Power has raised a total of $37.12 million historically, with a notable $1.5 billion investment from SK Group in 2021, which has been pivotal for its growth and expansion strategies (source: wikipedia.org). The company has also been involved in the analysis of Bosch's automotive hydrogen strategy, indicating its active role in shaping the future of hydrogen technology (source: cbinsights.com).
Working There
Plug Power offers a diverse range of roles across various departments, including engineering (software, infrastructure, fuel cell design), product management, sales and marketing, operations, and executive leadership. The company employs over 3,200 professionals, primarily concentrated at its headquarters in Latham, NY, which serves as the core hub for its operations (source: stockanalysis.com). The company culture emphasizes innovation and collaboration, with state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster productivity and employee wellness. These facilities include open-plan offices, flexible seating, fitness centers, wellness rooms, and recreational areas, all aimed at creating a supportive work environment (source: salestools.io). Leadership at Plug Power includes CEO Andrew J. Marsh, President Sanjay K. Shrestha, CFO Paul B. Middleton, COO Dean C. Fullerton, and General Counsel Gerard L. Conway Jr., who guide the company through its growth in the hydrogen sector (source: stockanalysis.com).
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