Power Systems Engineering Jobs in Austin, TX

Mission

TAR’s mission is to power intelligence for the world. We are building the world’s first off-grid power plant for data centers powered by renewable technologies.

We firmly believe AI should be built in the US for the benefit of all people. For that, power must be fast, clean, and scalable. We are singularly focused on delivering GW-scale power faster than anyone has ever done, by rethinking every layer of the stack.

To deliver on this vision, TAR manufactures, deploys, and operates off-grid energy assets with a renewable backbone. We vertically integrate to solve every bottleneck, from racking systems to power electronics to dispatch algorithms to on-site construction.

Leave your mark by powering the future of civilisation-scale energy infrastructure.

We hire people who care deeply about this problem space. If that is you, please apply!

Company

We are a team of seasoned operators run by founders who previously scaled a company to over 80 people and $350M in annual sales. We know how to operate, and we move fast.

We are working directly with one of the largest compute providers to make our vision come true and plan to deploy 5GWs by 2028.

TAR is both a hardware and software company, we are building out massive, critical, physical infrastructure.

We operate on…

• High ownership. High Agency. Own project end-to-end. Great people don’t need to be managed.

• Speed. We achieve great things on incredible timelines. We always push ourselves to go faster.

• First principles. No ego. No hierarchy. Challenge every assumption.

• Passion. Solving the energy problem is one of the largest challenges that faces the world now and in the future. We put in long hours and hard work to solve this.

About the role

You are the technical owner of TAR's electrical architecture for behind-the-meter microgrids powering AI data centers in West Texas. You set the single-line design, make the architecture calls (AC/DC coupling, overbuild, protection philosophy, grid-forming strategy), and direct our Engineer of Record and external consultants. You own the electrical domain from pilot through to multi-GW buildouts. This is a hands-on role.

Responsibilities

• Own system architecture for fully islanded BTM microgrids (solar + BESS + gas peakers on a continuous IT load): SLDs/three-lines, basis-of-design, and the Owner's Technical Requirements EPCs bid against, and the drawings where you catch the OE's and EPC's mistakes.

• Define the MV collection and skid-block architecture (34.5 kV) as a repeatable product, not a one-off per site, and own sizing across the hybrid: DC:AC, PCS, BESS power/energy and augmentation, transformer MVA, conductor.

• Own microgrid controls across device, plant, and site levels (dispatch against a flat load, GFM-BESS/genset load-sharing and handoff, droop vs. isochronous, ramp/curtailment, black-start), plus SCADA, metering, telemetry, and the site's OT cyber posture.

• Define the electrical path from MV bus to white space / customer POD, own the scope boundary and interface with the offtaker, and set the reliability architecture to a defined uptime target: N+1, concurrent maintainability, SPOF analysis, and the UPS-vs-GFM ride-through call.

• Lead the studies for a 100% IBR island: protection coordination, fault current, and grounding under GFM constraints (limited fault current, anti-islanding moot); EMT and dynamic stability in PSCAD/EMTP (control interactions, sub-synchronous resonance, harmonics/IEEE 519); and grid-forming validation with the OEM (model validation, controller-HIL, ride-through, dynamic response).

• Specify and evaluate inverters (PCS), BESS, transformers, switchgear, and BOP, including the power electronics requirements; drive vendor selection toward FEOC-clean, ITC-eligible gear; and write specs for long-lead items with the safe-harbor begin-construction deadline (Jul 4) driving procurement.

• Direct the EOR and design consultants (set scope, review deliverables, hold schedule and quality; you decide, they stamp), run constructability and commissioning with EPC and the OE/IE (FAT/SAT, energization sequencing, witness-and-sign), and feed permitting and interconnection the electrical inputs they need.

• Own electrical capex and $/W (design-to-cost across the hybrid, the cost case for standardization) and build the in-house electrical team as the program scales.

Qualifications

• BSEE; 10+ years in utility-scale solar, BESS, or generation, with direct ownership of single-lines and system architecture (not just reviewing others' work).

• Deep power systems fundamentals: load flow, short-circuit, protection coordination, grounding, arc flash.

• Hands-on experience with grid-forming inverters and BESS PCS; able to interrogate OEM control behavior, not just read datasheets.

• Track record managing an EOR or design consultants and owning the design intent across the V's.

• Fluency in MV/HV collection and substation design for 100 MW-class plants.

• PE strongly preferred (you set direction even if the EOR stamps).

• Comfort in a fast, ambiguous, first-of-a-kind environment; bias to decisions over process.

Nice to have

• Behind-the-meter / islanded microgrid or off-grid generation experience.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive compensation including equity options

• Up to $15K relocation bonus.

• Unlimited PTO.

• Health, Dental, Vision insurance.

• $1K monthly stipend for meals.