Control Systems Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Control Systems Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Driven by our vision of the affordable, reliable, net-zero carbon grid of the future, Mainspring has developed a new category of power generation — the linear generator — that delivers local, scalable, and fuel-flexible power to help accelerate the transition to the net-zero carbon grid.

The unique combination of attributes offered by Mainspring’s linear generator enables applications on both the commercial and utility sides of the meter for the $816B global electricity equipment market. We serve a wide range of Fortune 500 customers across markets and industries as well as top-tier utilities and other gridside providers.

We are looking to build relationships with people who share our values:

Pragmatic Optimism. Building a new category of world-class power generation requires the optimism of ambition and creativity, balanced with practicality to solve problems efficiently. The challenges that arise are opportunities for growth.

Excellence without Ego. We bring expertise and commitment to creating the best customer experience, from sales to deployment and service, just as we apply deep technical rigor to building and delivering world-class products. We strive for excellence and behave as leaders with the humility to acknowledge our challenges, both collectively and as individual contributors.

Proactive Collaboration. The integration and cross-disciplinary nature of Mainspring’s business requires intentionally seeking out others who bring different skills, perspectives, and priorities. Our culture of inclusion and respect extends beyond our team to interactions with our partners and customers.

Mainspring is based in Menlo Park and has partnered with top-tier investors and utilities such as Khosla Ventures, Bill Gates, NextEra, and American Electric Power. More information can be found at

Responsibilities

Are you driven by the challenge of simulating complex systems and ensuring their robustness under adverse conditions? Do you have a passion for developing simulations that rigorously test control software, especially in adverse hardware scenarios? If so, Mainspring Energy invites you to take on the pivotal role of Control Systems Modeling and Simulation Engineer. In this role, you will be instrumental in creating and maintaining simulation environments that mimic the real-world behavior of our Linear Generator, going beyond the happy path of normal operation and focusing particularly on failure modes and edge cases. Further, because each device can have unique operation, you will develop a system for capturing and simulating not just models of generators - but every single generator - like a digital twin but without the real-time interaction. Your work will be crucial in ensuring that Linear Generator control software is resilient, reliable, and prepared for any situation.

As a Control Systems Modeling and Simulation Engineer, you will design and implement simulation models that replicate both normal operations and potential hardware failures. You will work closely with the controls engineering team to validate control algorithms, providing a virtual testbed where software can be rigorously regression tested on a simulation of every field unit before deployment. This role requires a deep understanding of physics, dynamic systems, control theory, and software engineering, along with a keen interest in ensuring system reliability.

1. Develop and maintain simulation models that replicate the behavior of Linear Generators, including normal operation, site-specific load and use profiles, and potential hardware failures.
2. Track and eliminate deviations between field generator behavior and their non-real-time digital twins.
3. Create failure mode simulations to test the robustness of control software and ensure it can handle various fault conditions effectively.
4. Collaborate closely with controls engineers to integrate simulations with control algorithms, providing a virtual environment for testing and validation.
5. Analyze simulation results to identify potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities in control software, and work with the team to address them.
6. Continuously improve simulation tools and methodologies to increase the accuracy and reliability of the models, automating their use.
7. Optimize model execution appropriately to balance computation time and cost with product benefit.
8. Support the development of test cases and scenarios that stress control software under various operational conditions, including extreme edge cases.
9. Document simulation methodologies, test results, and recommendations for improving system resilience.
10. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other team members on best practices in system simulation and fault modeling.

Qualifications

1. Demonstrated capability emulating behavior of complex mechatronic systems with software.
2. Ability to analyze and compare field data to make informed recommendations for improving system simulations for accuracy and performance.
3. Excellent problem-solving skills with a focus on anticipating and mitigating potential system failures.
4. Bachelor's degree in engineering or science with controls focus and two years of industrial experience.

The Bay Area salary for this role is $115k-$132k base + pre-IPO stock options + benefits. This position can be hybrid. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee.