Exowatt

Modular full-stack renewable energy for businesses

Lead Controls & Firmware Engineer

Controls & Automation EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeMiami, FL, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Computer Engineering, or a related field is required.
Two to six years of experience in PLC programming and/or embedded firmware development is required.
Proficiency with Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, or similar tools is required.
Strong coding skills in C/C++ are required; Rust and Python are a plus.
Experience with GitHub workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing is required.
Familiarity with utility-scale energy systems or distributed energy resources is required.
Understanding of industrial networking and protocols, including Profinet, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, DNP3, and MQTT, is required.

Responsibilities

Develop and test PLC programs using Siemens, Rockwell, or equivalent systems for system-, module-, and site-level controllers.
Implement safety interlocks, alarms, and operational sequences for energy storage modules.
Configure and validate industrial communication protocols, including Profinet, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, DNP3, and MQTT.
Integrate system components with microcontroller-based devices.
Set up and maintain a test bench or hardware-in-the-loop environment for PLC validation.
Design and implement embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontrollers if the system migrates from PLC-based controls; Rust is optional.
Develop and test communication stacks, device drivers, and over-the-air update mechanisms.
Ensure deterministic, real-time operation in power and energy storage applications.
Set up and maintain a test bench or hardware-in-the-loop environment for firmware validation.
Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines, such as GitHub Actions, for PLC code, firmware, and test automation.
Implement version-control best practices for branching, releases, and tagging safety-critical builds.
Develop infrastructure to run automated regression, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop test suites.
Apply knowledge of utility-scale energy storage systems, including battery management, power conversion system interfaces, and dispatch logic.
Participate in developing control panel designs for energy storage system components.
Design and develop an energy management system or SCADA application that maps control data into historians, HMIs, and cloud telemetry systems for system monitoring and management.
Support system integration, commissioning, and field validation.

Desired Qualifications

Exposure to energy storage standards including UL 9540, IEC 62443, IEC 61131-3, and IEEE 1547.
Knowledge of cloud-integrated controls, including AWS IoT Core, InfluxDB, Timestream, and CloudWatch.
Experience setting up test benches, simulators, or hardware-in-the-loop systems.

Salary Range: 155000 to 200000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Exowatt is revolutionizing the energy landscape for the AI era with our groundbreaking P3 system that captures solar energy, stores it as heat, and generates electricity on demand. Founded in 2023 and backed by leading investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sam Altman, and Felicis, we're committed to providing clean, modular, and scalable power that meets the rapidly growing demands of AI infrastructure. Our mission is to make sustainable renewable energy always available and almost free, enabling technological advancement while protecting our planet.

We are looking for a Controls & Firmware Engineer to help design and implement the control architecture for our scalable thermal energy storage system. This hands-on role involves both PLC programming and embedded firmware development, giving flexibility as we evolve our platform from industrial controllers to custom microcontroller-based solutions. The engineer will also contribute to building test benches, CI/CD pipelines, and GitHub-based workflows to ensure high reliability and rapid iteration.

This position is based in Miami, FL. If hired for this role, relocation to Miami, FL is required. We provide relocation assistance.

Key Responsibilities

Controls (PLC Path)
Develop and test PLC programs (Siemens, Rockwell, or equivalent) for system,
module, and site-level controllers.
Implement safety interlocks, alarms, and operational sequences for energy storage
modules.
Configure and validate industrial communication protocols (Profinet, Ethernet/IP,
OPC UA, DNP3, MQTT).
Integrate different system components with Microcontroller based devices.
Set up and maintain a test bench / HIL environment for PLC validation.

Firmware (Microcontroller Path)
Design and implement embedded firmware in C/C++ (Rust optional) for
microcontrollers if we migrate from PLC-based controls.
Develop and test communication stacks, device drivers, and OTA update
mechanisms.
Ensure deterministic, real-time operation in power and energy storage applications.
Set up and maintain a test bench / HIL environment for validation.

DevOps & CI/CD
Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions or similar) for PLC code, firmware,
and test automation.
Implement version control best practices for branching, releases, and tagging
safety-critical builds.
Develop infrastructure to run automated test suites including regression, simulation,
and hardware-in-the-loop.

Energy Storage Integration
Apply knowledge of utility-scale energy storage systems (battery management, PCS
interfaces, dispatch logic).
Participate in the development of control panel design for various components of energy
storage system.
Design & develop EMS/SCADA application to map controls data into historians, HMIs,
and cloud telemetry systems for monitoring & management of the system.
Support system integration, commissioning, and field validation.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s in Electrical, Controls, Computer Engineering, or related field.
2–6 years of experience in PLC programming and/or embedded firmware development.
Proficiency with Siemens TIA Portal / Rockwell Studio 5000 (or similar).
Strong coding skills in C/C++ (Rust/Python a plus).
Experience with GitHub workflows, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing.
Familiarity with utility-scale energy systems or DERs.
Understanding of industrial networking and protocols (Profinet, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA,
DNP3, MQTT).

Preferred Skills

Exposure to energy storage standards (UL 9540, IEC 62443, IEC 61131-3, IEEE
1547).
Knowledge of cloud-integrated controls (AWS IoT Core, InfluxDB, Timestream,
CloudWatch).
Experience setting up test benches, simulators, or hardware-in-the-loop systems.

What We Offer:

Competitive salary and equity options.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.

A dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

Opportunities for professional growth and development in a rapidly evolving industry.

Relocation assistance.

About the Company

Exowatt

Modular full-stack renewable energy for businesses

Exowatt designs, installs, and maintains modular full-stack renewable energy systems for commercial and industrial clients. Its products are customizable energy solutions built from modular components that can be designed to meet specific energy needs and regulatory requirements, then installed on-site and supported through ongoing maintenance. The company’s approach combines consulting, system design, installation, and long-term service into a single, integrated package, enabling a seamless transition to renewables. This end-to-end service helps clients scale energy capacity as needed and manage energy performance over time. Exowatt differentiates itself by offering a true full-stack, modular package that covers from initial assessment to ongoing upkeep, fostering long-term relationships rather than one-off projects. Its goal is to help businesses lower both their carbon footprint and energy costs by moving to renewable energy with adaptable, scalable systems.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Series A
Total funding: $90M
Headquarters: Miami, FL
Founded: 2023

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Exowatt

See more jobs