Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer, Microgrid Controls Manager

at Intersect Power

🏢 About Intersect Power

Intersect Power stands out by developing scalable low-carbon solutions specifically for retail and wholesale energy markets, focusing on clean electricity and fuels. The company is advancing the energy transition through large-scale microgrid systems that support critical infrastructure, offering engineers the chance to work on first-of-their-kind technical challenges at unprecedented scale. Their mission-driven approach combines innovation with real-world impact in the rapidly evolving energy sector.

About This Role

As Software Engineer, Microgrid Controls Manager, you'll lead the development and evolution of control systems for large-scale, resilient microgrids powering critical infrastructure. This role combines deep technical ownership with people leadership, guiding architectural decisions, mentoring engineers, and ensuring control stacks meet the highest standards for safety, reliability, and performance in both islanded and grid-interactive environments. You'll work closely with equipment suppliers, operations teams, and cross-functional partners to prove what's possible as Intersect deploys microgrids at scale.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing control system architecture decisions with your team, collaborating with equipment suppliers on integration challenges, and meeting with operations teams to ensure deployed systems meet reliability standards. You'll split time between mentoring engineers on technical implementation details, guiding cross-functional partners on system requirements, and evaluating performance data from active microgrid deployments to inform future development priorities.

🎯 Who Intersect Power Is Looking For

  • Has 8-12+ years of hands-on experience in real-time controls for power systems or microgrid/DER controls, with demonstrated expertise in both software and power applications
  • Possesses 3-5+ years of proven leadership experience managing engineering teams, with a track record of mentoring controls engineers and software developers
  • Holds an Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or Computer Engineering degree and can bridge the gap between software development and power systems engineering
  • Thrives at the intersection of software, power systems, and real-world operations, with experience working across hardware, software, and operational teams

📝 Tips for Applying to Intersect Power

1

Quantify your experience with microgrid or DER controls specifically - mention project scale, technologies used, and outcomes achieved in real-time control systems

2

Highlight any experience working with equipment suppliers and operations teams in the energy sector, as this role requires cross-functional collaboration

3

Demonstrate your ability to lead both technical architecture decisions and team development - provide examples of mentoring engineers while maintaining technical excellence

4

Research Intersect Power's specific microgrid projects or technology approach and reference how your experience aligns with their deployment scale and mission

5

Emphasize experience with both islanded and grid-interactive environments, as this is explicitly mentioned in the job description as a key requirement

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience with microgrid control systems and how it prepares you for leading development at 'unprecedented scale' as mentioned in the job description", 'Examples of successfully mentoring controls engineers while maintaining technical ownership of complex real-time control systems', "How you've worked across software, hardware, and operations teams to deliver safe, reliable systems in power or industrial applications", "Your understanding of Intersect Power's mission and how your background in scalable low-carbon solutions aligns with their focus on clean electricity and fuels"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Intersect Power's specific microgrid projects and their scale - look for case studies or press releases about their deployments
  • The company's technology stack and approach to clean electricity and fuels in retail/wholesale energy markets
  • Their team structure and recent developments in microgrid engineering to understand their current challenges and priorities
  • The energy transition context and how Intersect positions itself within the competitive landscape of low-carbon solutions

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience designing control systems for large-scale microgrids - what architectural decisions did you make and why?
2 How have you mentored engineers while maintaining technical excellence in real-time control systems development?
3 Walk us through your experience working with equipment suppliers and operations teams to deploy control systems in production environments
4 What approaches have you used to ensure safety and reliability in both islanded and grid-interactive microgrid operations?
5 How do you stay current with evolving technologies in microgrid controls while leading a team and managing architectural decisions?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only generic software engineering experience without specific examples in power systems or microgrid controls
  • Failing to demonstrate leadership experience in technical management roles - this role requires both people leadership and technical ownership
  • Not showing understanding of the intersection between software, power systems, and real-world operations that this role specifically emphasizes

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Intersect Power!