$138k - $158k+ Relocation assistance + 401(k) company match
Senior
Bachelor's
Remote in USA+2 moreMore locations: Texas, USA | Rocklin, CA, USA
RemoteRocklin, CA or Texas preferred; remote considered. Periodic domestic travel required; international travel may be required.
CybersecuritySecurity Engineering & Architecture
No H1B Sponsorship
About the job
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.
At least 5 years of utility communications, industrial networking, OT systems, or energy management systems experience.
Strong understanding of firewalls and network security fundamentals.
Ability to debug network connections using tools such as Wireshark.
Extensive hands-on experience with utility-scale OT communication systems, including RTUs, PLCs, industrial gateways, and edge/data collection devices.
Strong experience with industrial and utility protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, IEC 61850, and OPC UA.
Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity principles, including defense-in-depth architectures, secure remote access/VPNs, and network segmentation and monitoring.
Experience implementing secure communication paths between OT and IT systems.
Comfort working with field data, diagnostics, and system telemetry.
Familiarity with NERC CIP and cybersecurity frameworks for critical infrastructure.
Proficiency in English is required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
Periodic domestic travel is required; international travel may be required.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Candidates requiring current or future visa sponsorship, including H-1B, OPT, CPT, or TN sponsorship, are not eligible; temporary work permit or visa-tied employment authorization is also not eligible.
Responsibilities
Lead integration of site controllers, inverters, and auxiliary equipment into a unified plant communications architecture.
Design and configure machine-to-machine communications between site controllers, inverters, plant-level gateways, and data concentrators.
Define and deploy end-to-end communication networks, including industrial Ethernet (fiber/copper), layered OT network segmentation, and integration of secure connectivity platforms, data collectors, and industrial gateways.
Design and support OT networks, including firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs and segmentation, and fiber optic networks.
Manage secure communication interfaces between sites and utilities, transmission operators, ISOs/RTOs, asset owners, and cloud-based platforms.
Configure and validate protocols for wide-area communications, including real-time telemetry, dispatch and control signals, and event and disturbance reporting.
Design and implement multi-layer cybersecurity architectures, including segmented network zones, secure data replication layers, and unidirectional gateways (data diodes) for critical assets.
Support compliance with NERC CIP standards, utility interconnection requirements, and internal cybersecurity frameworks.
Enable inverter monitoring, diagnostics, and fault detection through integration with cloud-based dashboards.
Collaborate with O&M and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize system performance.
Maintain auditable data and communication structures to meet regulatory compliance requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
Strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, O&M, and IT/security teams.
Ability to clearly communicate technical architectures to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
Why Work at SMA America
Power the future. Build your career at SMA America.
As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries.
Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy.
If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward.
Senior OT Communications & Cybersecurity Engineer Rocklin, CA (HQ) or Texas preferred, remote considered
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Senior OT Communications & Cybersecurity Engineer supports the design, integration, and operation of communication and control systems across utility-scale renewable energy assets, including solar PV, battery storage, and hybrid plants. This role owns site-level communications architecture, machine-to-machine (M2M) communications integration, and secure connectivity between sites, utilities, and cloud platforms.
PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead integration of site controllers, inverters, and auxiliary equipment into a unified plant communications architecture
Design and configure machine-to-machine (M2M) communications between site controllers, inverters, and plant-level gateways and data concentrators
Define and deploy end-to-end communication networks, including industrial Ethernet (fiber/copper), layered OT network segmentation, and integration of secure connectivity platforms, data collectors, and industrial gateways
Design and support OT networks, including firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs and segmentation, and fiber optic networks
Manage secure communication interfaces between sites and utilities, transmission operators, ISOs/RTOs, asset owners, and cloud-based platforms
Configure and validate protocols for wide-area communications, including real-time telemetry, dispatch and control signals, and event and disturbance reporting
Design and implement multi-layer cybersecurity architectures, including segmented network zones, secure data replication layers, and unidirectional gateways (data diodes) for critical assets
Support compliance with NERC CIP standards, utility interconnection requirements, and internal cybersecurity frameworks
Enable inverter monitoring, diagnostics, and fault detection through integration with cloud-based dashboards
Collaborate with O&M and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize system performance
Maintain auditable data and communication structures to meet regulatory compliance requirements
Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience
At least 5 years of utility communications, industrial networking, OT systems, or energy management systems experience
Strong understanding of firewalls and network security fundamentals
Ability to debug network connections using tools such as Wireshark
Extensive hands-on experience with utility-scale OT communication systems, including RTUs, PLCs, industrial gateways, and edge/data collection devices
Strong experience with industrial and utility protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, IEC 61850 (preferred), and OPC UA
Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity principles, including defense-in-depth architectures, secure remote access/VPNs, and network segmentation and monitoring
Experience implementing secure communication paths between OT and IT systems
Comfort working with field data, diagnostics, and system telemetry
Strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, O&M, and IT/security teams
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities
Ability to clearly communicate technical architectures to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Familiarity with NERC CIP and cybersecurity frameworks for critical infrastructure
Proficiency in English required; German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Proven ability to work effectively in a matrix organization
Periodic domestic travel required; international travel may be required
WE OFFER
Compensation: $138,000 to $158,000 base salary, commensurate with experience
Location: Rocklin, CA (HQ) or Texas preferred; remote candidates considered. Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) plan with company match
Opportunities for professional development and industry engagement
WORK AUTHORIZATION
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. SMA America does not offer employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including H-1B, OPT, CPT, or TN visas. Candidates who currently require or will in the future require visa sponsorship are not eligible. Candidates operating under a temporary work permit or any visa-tied employment authorization are also not eligible.
AI-GENERATED APPLICATION MATERIALS
We review all resumes and application materials for AI-generated content. Submissions that show evidence of AI manipulation will be disqualified from consideration without further review. We want to hear your authentic voice and see your genuine experience.
RECRUITMENT FRAUD NOTICE
All SMA America openings are posted on our official careers page and all recruiter communication comes from an @sma-america.com address. We never request payment, banking information, or a Social Security number during the recruitment process. If you are contacted about an SMA America role from a personal email account, or asked for any of the above, please forward the message to [email protected].
Our EEO Policy
We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one's race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.
In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.
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