Firmware Engineer - Power Systems (m/w/d)

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 Firmware Engineer to join our product development team responsible for embedded software and control logic used in plant-level control and grid regulation systems. This engineer will develop and validate real-time control firmware for industrial controllers (PLC and IPC-based systems), to meet precise performance requirements and grid code compliance.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and experienced in real-time embedded control systems. You will work closely with hardware, SCADA, and commissioning teams to deliver reliable, validated firmware deployed in utility-scale renewable generation plants.

At Nextracker, you'll be part of a team leading the clean energy transition - delivering cutting-edge control technology that powers the world's largest solar and hybrid projects.

Key Job Responsibilities

Firmware Development

• Design and implement real-time control algorithms for industrial controllers (PLC or IPC-based systems).
• Develop and maintain firmware architecture, state machines, and I/O logic for control of active/reactive power, voltage, and frequency.
• Implement and optimize communication stacks (e.g., Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, IEC 61850, OPC UA).
• Optimize firmware for deterministic timing and low-latency control execution.
• Integrate voltage, current, and frequency feedback loops with inverters, BESS, and metering systems.

Hardware Integration

• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define I/O mappings, analog/digital signal conditioning, and network communication layers.
• Work with industrial controller platforms (e.g., Siemens S7, GE RX3i, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, or industrial PCs).
• Validate deterministic real-time performance under operational and simulated conditions.

Testing and Validation

• Support unit testing, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation, and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of firmware releases.
• Collaborate with modeling and controls engineers to validate dynamic response under grid disturbance scenarios (RTDS, OPAL-RT,).
• Implement automated testing and test routines for firmware builds.

Standards and Compliance

• Ensure firmware operation complies with grid codes (IEEE 1547, UL 1741 SA, IEC 61850-7-420) and cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443).
• Maintain documentation for firmware design, communication interfaces, and functional behavior per IEC/IEEE standards.
• Support certification testing for control hardware and firmware releases.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related areas.
• Experience: 5-10 years of experience in embedded firmware development or real-time control systems; at least 4 years in power plant controls focused on renewable power.
• Programming: Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems; Python for test scripts, and experience with structured programming for PLCs.
• Tools: Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink Coder or Embedded Real-Time Workshop; exposure to HIL tools (RTDS, OPAL-RT, Typhoon HIL).
• Networking & Protocols: Experience with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, OPC UA).
• Systems Knowledge: Proficiency in power plant control architectures with basic understanding of power conversion systems, inverters.
• Languages: Proficiency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related areas.
• Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) or industrial control runtimes.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity design for industrial systems (IEC 62443).
• Experience with version control (Git), continuous integration (CI/CD), and automated testing environments.
• Exposure to field commissioning or factory testing of automation systems.
• Ability to analyze system response data to tune control loops for performance and stability.

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.