Software & Controls Engineering Leader

A Software & Controls Engineering Leader is needed to lead the development of a next-generation Battery Management System (BMS) and Energy Management System (EMS) for a new form of grid-scale energy storage. This role blends hands-on engineering with technical leadership, guiding a small, multidisciplinary development team responsible for both software and controls architecture.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable designing PLC logic, building CI/CD pipelines, architecture of external control software, and communicating complex technical concepts in a clear, accessible way. This position is central to shaping the control strategy, deployment, and long-term maintainability of the system., * Lead the design and implementation of the system-level BMS and associated control software.

• Serve as both leader and hands-on technical contributor within a small engineering team.
• Define control strategies, communication architectures, and deployment models for a distributed array of PLCs.
• Translate complex engineering concepts into simplified explanations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage a Kanban-based development workflow, ensuring clear prioritization and predictable delivery., * Select PLC, I/O, and industrial networking hardware appropriate for grid-connected energy systems.
• Develop core PLC logic using Structured Text, Python, C++ and Ladder Logic.
• Integrate industrial protocols such as Modbus, IEC 61850, or DNP3.
• Support system simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and lab-based development.
• Develop external supervisory control software to manage fleets of PLCs.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitLab.
• Implement containerized services using Docker and manage virtualized environments (VMs).
• Design and maintain databases for sensor and telemetry data.

Do you have experience in Virtualization?, * Strong proficiency in Python and C/C++.

• Experience with multithreaded application development.
• Hands-on PLC programming using Structured Text or Ladder Logic.
• Industrial communication protocols: Modbus, IEC 61850, or DNP3 (any one required; more is a plus).
• Experience with Git, GitLab CI/CD, and modern build pipelines.
• Familiarity with Docker, VMs, and containerized deployment strategies.
• Experience collecting and storing sensor/telemetry data in databases.
• Knowledge of message frameworks like AMQP or ZeroMQ, MQTT and OPCUA.
• Deep understanding of server, router, and network architectures.

Power & Grid Systems Experience

• Exposure to DC-side and/or AC-side power systems equipment.
• Experience with grid interfaces, grid-connected devices, or utility-scale systems is a strong plus.
• Experience interacting with electricity utilities in the deployment of 3rd-party add-ons for substation is a strong plus., * Bachelor's Degree in Engineering preferably in Software and Controls
• Prior work on energy storage systems, microgrids, or utility-scale controls.
• Experience with simulation frameworks or hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Background in safety-critical or high-reliability industrial systems.

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance, We offer competitive salary and benefits, including healthcare, dental, vision, and a retirement plan

XL Batteries, a Massachusetts-based development stage company focused on long duration energy storage at the grid level. We are growing a highly collaborative team with the addition of a Software and Controls Engineering Leader. Our mission is to create a safe, low-cost and reliable grid-scale battery that will enable the transition of the grid from fossil fuels to renewable sources. We are a fast paced, nimble startup where no job is too big or small, and where we strive to ask ourselves the hard questions before problems arise.