# Lead Engineer

**Company:** [xAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/xai)
**Location:** Memphis, TN
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Battery Energy Storage Systems, Power Systems Engineering, Grid-Forming Inverters, Energy Management Systems, Nfpa 855, Ul 9540, Ul 9540A, Ieee 1547, Ieee 2800, Pscad, Electromagnetic Transient Modeling, Medium-Voltage Systems, Thermal Runaway, Black Start
**Posted:** 2026-08-18

> Leads the architecture, sizing, controls, safety, commissioning, and OEM relationships for utility-scale battery energy storage supporting AI training campuses. Requires a bachelor's degree, 8+ years in power systems engineering, and 4+ years of direct BESS experience.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own the battery energy storage system (BESS) fleet as a power plant, including architecture, sizing, controls, safety case, and grid-forming behavior.
- Own BESS architecture, including pack-to-medium-voltage transformer grouping, string composition, medium-voltage collection topology, string-level protection, and physical block layout with NFPA 855 spacing.
- Size storage based on compute duty cycles, step loads, training-job ramps, and actual-versus-nameplate utilization.
- Own inverter control strategy, including grid-forming versus grid-following operation, droop, virtual inertia, fault-current contribution, ride-through, and coordination with generation governors and excitation.
- Own plant controller and energy management system functional specifications for dispatch, state-of-charge management, peak shaving, spinning-reserve emulation, islanding, and black-start participation.
- Own the fire and life-safety case, including UL 9540 and UL 9540A basis, thermal runaway propagation, deflagration venting, water supply, emergency response planning, and authority having jurisdiction engagement.
- Own OEM relationships, including technical requirements, factory testing, performance guarantees, and degradation and augmentation planning.
- Direct Design, Commissioning, Ops/Build, Network, Civil, and Program Manager team members supporting Battery Storage as the organization grows.

## Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
- 8+ years of power systems engineering experience.
- 4+ years of direct experience with utility-scale or large commercial and industrial battery energy storage.
- Experience sizing storage against a real duty cycle.
- Working knowledge of NFPA 855, UL 9540, UL 9540A, IEEE 1547, and IEEE 2800.
- Utility-scale BESS fleet experience with large pack counts.
- Deep understanding of grid-forming inverter control and its interaction with synchronous machines.
- Experience with PSCAD or other electromagnetic transient modeling of inverter-based resources.
- Professional Engineering license or intention to actively seek a PE license.
- Experience building and leading an engineering team from the first hire.
- Ability to perform hands-on work in heat, cold, rain, tight quarters, and at heights.
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed for construction, energization, and operations.
- Ability to remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
- Ability to provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies.
- Valid driver's license.
- Willingness to travel up to 25% for factory witness testing, vendor and OEM engagement, and support of other sites.

## Compensation and Benefits
- No compensation information was provided.

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