Lead Engineer, Battery Storage - Memphis

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join the High Power Engineering team supporting SpaceXAI to design, build, operate, and maintain electrical infrastructure for AI training campuses. As a Lead Engineer for Battery Storage, you will work with a small on-site team to scale high-capacity power systems on a schedule set by compute demand. The position is based in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the storage fleet as a power plant, not as an accessory: architecture, sizing, controls, safety case, and grid-forming behavior that lets the campus ride through compute step loads and generation contingencies.
• Own BESS architecture: pack-to-MV-transformer grouping, string composition, medium-voltage collection topology, string-level protection, and physical block layout including spacing per NFPA 855.
• Own sizing; translate compute duty cycles — step loads, training-job ramps, actual-versus-nameplate utilization — into power and energy requirements.
• Own inverter control strategy: grid-forming versus grid-following, droop and virtual inertia, fault-current contribution, ride-through, and coordination with generation governors and excitation.
• Own the plant controller and EMS functional specification: dispatch, state-of-charge management, peak shaving, spinning-reserve emulation, islanding, and black-start participation.
• Own the fire and life-safety case: UL 9540 and 9540A basis, thermal runaway propagation, deflagration venting, water supply, emergency response plan, and AHJ engagement.
• Own the OEM relationship: technical requirements, factory testing, performance guarantees, and degradation and augmentation planning.
• Direct Design, Commissioning, Ops/Build, Network, Civil, and Program Manager seats on Battery Storage as those seats fill.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
• 8+ years in power systems engineering.
• 4+ years directly on utility-scale or large commercial and industrial battery energy storage.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

• Experience sizing storage against a real duty cycle rather than a rule of thumb.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 855, UL 9540 and 9540A, IEEE 1547, and IEEE 2800.
• Utility-scale BESS fleet experience at large pack counts.
• Deep understanding of grid-forming inverter control and its interaction with synchronous machines.
• PSCAD or other EMT 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights.
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support construction, energization, and operations.
• Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE.
• Lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies.
• Willing to work on-site in Memphis, TN. This is not a remote or hybrid role.
• Travel up to 25% for factory witness testing, vendor and OEM engagement, and supporting other sites.
• Valid driver's license.