---
title: 'Microgrid Validation Lead at Intersect'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/microgrid-validation-lead-intersect-san-francisco-86x9swn3791d'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Microgrid Validation Lead at Intersect

- **Company:** Intersect
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-06-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/intersect/162e0a36-7b5c-4fb6-8483-3303f124e6a4

## Job description

We’re a team of friends bound together by a mission to preserve our planet for future generations through innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure. Intersect develops, constructs, and operates the most ambitious power and data center infrastructure in the country by co-locating industrial demand with dedicated gas and renewable power generation.

Intersect was acquired by Google in March 2026 and operates as an independent subsidiary. We are developing and constructing multiple gigawatts of energy and data center projects in the U.S., enabling more data center and generation capacity to come online faster. We’re on an aggressive growth trajectory and looking for people hungry to tackle the largest energy challenges on the planet.

Location & Team Gatherings

We are currently looking for candidates located within 60 miles of any of the listed location.

We connect as a team at our Team Week experiences four times a year and at our recently established Hub locations - SF Bay Area, NYC Metro Area, NY; Denver, CO; Austin, TX; Calgary, AB; and Toronto, ON.

Microgrid Validation Lead

## About This Role

As part of Intersect’s Microgrid Engineering team, you’ll lead the development of the validation strategy, infrastructure, and testing methodologies that ensure microgrid control systems perform safely and reliably before deployment. You’ll build and scale Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments, simulation frameworks, and automated validation workflows that verify controller performance across a broad range of operating conditions. Working closely with controls engineers, power systems engineers, utilities, and external partners, you’ll help establish the standards, tools, and processes that enable reliable operation of complex microgrid systems while supporting compliance, safety, and long-term performance.

## Team Overview

This team plays a critical role in advancing Intersect’s mission to accelerate the clean energy transition, designing and operating systems that deliver reliable power at massive scale. The Microgrid Engineering team works across software, hardware, operations, and external stakeholders to validate complex systems under realistic conditions, ensuring safety, performance, and long-term operability. Joining this team offers hands-on exposure to advanced validation techniques and large-scale energy systems while contributing to work that has real-world impact.

## What You’ll Do

Own Validation Strategy and Architecture Develop testing capabilities that exercise microgrid control algorithms across a full range of operating conditions, including failure modes, communication delays, and equipment faults. Design and evolve the laboratory infrastructure roadmap for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing using controller hardware and representative power system equipment. Lead the evaluation and selection of simulation platforms, validation tools, and testing approaches to support system performance and regulatory compliance. Establish scalable validation capabilities that support the deployment of increasingly complex microgrid systems.

Establish Verification Methodology and Standards Design and implement automated test execution workflows that improve validation efficiency, repeatability, and reporting. Develop verification metrics that demonstrate controller performance, operational safety, and compliance with technical requirements. Define validation standards, best practices, and documentation processes that support consistent testing across projects. Drive continuous improvement of validation methodologies as technologies and system requirements evolve.

Define Test Cases and Performance Criteria Partner with engineering teams, utilities, and external stakeholders to define laboratory requirements, test plans, and performance criteria. Validate controller behavior under both steady-state and abnormal operating conditions. Develop comprehensive test scenarios that assess system performance across realistic grid and asset operating conditions. Mentor junior engineers and support technical development within the validation function.

Integrate Field Learnings into Validation Analyze field operating data to improve simulation models and identify edge cases that require additional validation. Incorporate operational insights into regression test suites to continuously expand validation coverage. Support investigations into system performance issues and apply lessons learned to strengthen validation processes. Help bridge field operations, controls engineering, and validation activities to improve overall system reliability.

## What You’ll Bring

The following qualifications will help you succeed in this role: M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 3–7+ years of experience in real-time system HIL validation, power system model verification, or related validation disciplines. Experience designing, building, and operating laboratory environments used to validate electrical power systems. Demonstrated ability to develop automated test pipelines, validation frameworks, and verification metrics for real-time or embedded systems. Experience with real-time digital simulators such as RTDS, OPAL-RT, Typhoon HIL, or comparable platforms. Familiarity with power system modeling and simulation tools such as Simulink, Modelica, or similar technologies. Experience supporting commissioning, troubleshooting, or operational validation of laboratory or utility-scale power systems. Experience developing and executing validation plans for grid-forming inverter controls, microgrid controllers, or advanced power system controls. Familiarity with industrial control and embedded programming environments such as C++, IEC 61131-3 Structured Text, AcSELerator QuickSet, CODESYS, Lua, Rust, or C. Experience using modern software development practices, including version control, automated testing, and validation workflows. Understanding of utility interconnection requirements, grid operations, and energy market participation; ERCOT experience is preferred. Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and external stakeholders. A systems-thinking mindset, strong technical judgment, and attention to detail that supports safe, reliable, and high-quality engineering outcomes. A passion for mentoring others, solving complex technical challenges, and continuously improving engineering processes.

Total Rewards

Total Compensation: $188,500 - $205,400 (total compensation includes base salary + bonus in USD)

Equity: Beyond your salary, you’ll receive an Equity Grant, giving you a meaningful stake in our parent company. Health & wellness: 100% premium coverage for you and your dependents on medical, dental, and vision Time to recharge: Unlimited PTO, plus two company-wide breaks (Fourth of July & end of year) Family support: Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, plus 6 additional weeks for birth parents; access to family planning and family care support through Carrot and Maven Mental health: Free access to Spring Health, including 5 free therapy and psychiatry sessions, plus a Headspace account for mindfulness and meditation through our physical health vendor, Wellhub+ Perks & extras: $150 monthly food stipend, $150 monthly reimbursement for cell phone and internet, pet insurance allowance, full home office setup, free access to UrbanSitter with $625 in quarterly company-paid credits, ActiveHero, and One Medical

Intersect maintains a work environment free from discrimination, one where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling Intersect's commitment to equal employment opportunity. Intersect does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by and consistent with applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline.

## About Intersect

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Intersect develops and delivers large-scale, co-located hybrid energy and data center infrastructure to power the AI boom, with a focus on speed, cost, and reliability.
- **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Google in March 2026)
- **Headquarters**: Beaverton, Oregon, United States (with offices in Houston, Texas)
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Sheldon Kimber (CEO), Luke Dunnington (President, departed March 2026)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Energy infrastructure and data center development
- **Target customers**: Hyperscale cloud providers (Google), AI companies, and other large-scale industrial energy consumers (B2B, enterprise)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “We deliver the fastest, cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy and data center infrastructure for the scale of what comes next.”

## Products & Services
- **Co-located Hybrid Power + Data Centers**: Intersect builds gigawatt-scale renewable energy projects (solar, wind, battery storage) combined with on-site data centers, providing dedicated, low-carbon power for AI workloads. Notable projects: Meitner Energy Center (1+ GW co-located data center), Quantum Clean Energy Project (operational June 2026), Oberon facility (679 MWp solar + 1 GWh storage, online 2023).
- **Energy Infrastructure Development**: End-to-end development, financing, and construction of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage systems, often with firming gas for reliability.
- **IPX Power Spin-out**: A portion of Intersect’s operating solar and storage assets were spun out into IPX Power post-acquisition.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (acquired by Google – transaction terms not public)
- **Key Metric**: $15B in infrastructure operating or under construction; 10.8 GW in construction or operation by late 2028
- **Annual Revenue**: $190M (as of most recent data)
- **Total Funding**: $8.9B (cumulative, including debt and equity rounds)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Google (strategic partner and acquirer), Tesla (17.7 GWh Megapack purchase), First Solar (multi-billion dollar supply chain commitment), TPG Rise Climate Fund, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, Santander CIB, MUFG Bank
- **Growth Signals**: 24.1% YoY headcount growth (324 employees), acquired by Google in March 2026, multiple gigawatts of new projects under construction, rapid expansion in AI-driven energy demand.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Execution track record**: Delivered gigawatt-scale projects ahead of schedule and under budget (e.g., Oberon in 2023 during volatile supply chain).
- **Deep partnerships**: Exclusive relationships with Google, Tesla, and First Solar provide supply chain certainty and technology access.
- **Co-location model**: By placing data centers directly next to hybrid power sources, Intersect bypasses grid constraints and delivers faster, cheaper, cleaner power.
- **Domestic manufacturing focus**: Long-term procurement agreements with U.S. suppliers reduce risk and speed timelines.

## Strategic Focus
- **Post-acquisition integration**: As a Google subsidiary, Intersect is scaling its co-located energy and data center model to meet Google’s AI infrastructure needs.
- **Accelerating deployment**: Fast-tracking projects like the Meitner Energy Center and Quantum Clean Energy to bring more capacity online quickly.
- **Community engagement**: Building relationships with local communities from early site evaluation through long-term operations, creating jobs and tax revenue.
- **Supply chain resilience**: Prioritizing American-made equipment and buying ahead of demand to avoid delays.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “People-first” environment with a focus on execution and impact. The company values “ambition grounded in action” and attracts those who thrive on complex, high-stakes projects.
- **Benefits** (from LinkedIn post):
  - 100% premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents
  - Up to 18 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth parents (12 weeks for non-birth parents)
  - Family planning support via Carrot and Maven
  - Full home office setup + $150/month cell and internet reimbursement
  - $150/month food stipend
  - Quarterly credits for child/family care via UrbanSitter + pet insurance allowance
- **Work model**: Hybrid/office presence expected (offices in Beaverton, OR and Houston, TX). Remote flexibility likely for some roles.
- **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on civil, electrical, structural, and project management roles. Hands-on work with cutting-edge energy and data center technology.
- **Growth trajectory**: Post-Google acquisition provides stability and resources while maintaining a startup-like pace and mission-driven focus.

## Sources
1. [intersect.com/about](https://www.intersect.com/about)
2. [intersect.com/solutions](https://www.intersect.com/solutions)
3. [linkedin.com/company/intersect-power](https://www.linkedin.com/company/intersect-power)
4. [linkedin.com/company/intersect-com](https://linkedin.com/company/intersect-com)

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