Director, Generation Controls, Protection, and Automation — Power and Energy New Houston; US

About the Role: We are hiring a Director, Generation Controls, Protection, and Automation to own one of the hardest and most consequential technical problems in our portfolio: making multi-gigawatt, island-mode power systems stable, protected, and controllable while serving AI data center loads. Nscale's Power and Energy group develops behind-the-meter generation colocated with our data center campuses: large reciprocating engine fleets, battery energy storage systems, and medium- and high-voltage distribution operating as islanded microgrids. These systems must hold frequency and voltage through some of the most dynamic load profiles in the industry, where GPU training workloads can swing hundreds of megawatts in seconds. Solving that requires controls, protection, and automation engineered as a single, coherent system, and this role owns that system. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will set the controls and protection philosophy for our microgrids, drive the engineering through design, factory and hardware-in-the-loop testing, commissioning, and into operation, and manage the specialist engineers, consultants, and OEM technical teams doing the work. You will engage directly with generation, BESS, switchgear, and relay OEMs, and with the EMT modeling and controls integration partners who validate the designs before we energize. You will work alongside a peer Director, Generation Electrical Engineering. The split is deliberate: your peer owns the power system itself — the equipment, its configuration, and its design basis. This role owns how that system is controlled and protected. The two scopes succeed or fail together, and close partnership is part of the job.

Location: Houston, TX (remote considered within the US, with regular site and vendor travel)

What You'll Be Doing: Microgrid controls Own the microgrid control architecture: the power management system, generation dispatch and load sharing, frequency and voltage regulation in island mode, and coordinated response to load transients and contingencies. Define control philosophies and functional specifications for the plant master controller, engine governor and AVR coordination, and grid-forming BESS controls, including the fast-response functions that buffer AI workload swings. Direct dynamic performance requirements and verification: control tuning, load acceptance and rejection behavior, black start and resynchronization logic, and load ramp coordination with data center energization plans. Oversee EMT and dynamic modeling of the microgrid (PSCAD and similar platforms), working with specialist modeling partners to validate stability, controller interactions, and torsional and resonance risks before designs are frozen. Protection Own the protection philosophy for islanded systems with high inverter penetration and non-utility fault characteristics: relaying schemes, coordination and arc flash studies, and settings management across the generation, BESS, and distribution scopes. Review and approve protection designs, relay settings, and coordination studies produced by EPC partners, OEMs, and consultants; resolve the hard cases where standard utility practice does not transfer to island-mode operation. Direct controller and protection hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL/HIL) testing campaigns with relay, BESS, and switchgear vendors, closing the loop between simulation models and as-shipped hardware before site commissioning. Establish settings management discipline: version control, change management, and as-left documentation from factory test through commercial operation. Automation and OT systems Own the plant automation and SCADA architecture for the generation scope: control system topology, substation automation, communications design, and time synchronization, with IEC 61850 where appropriate. Define signal lists, alarm philosophy, and operator interfaces so the plants can be run safely by real operators, not just demonstrated by engineers. Set OT network and cybersecurity requirements for the controls and protection estate, working with IT security counterparts on segmentation, remote access, and monitoring. Ensure automation designs integrate cleanly with data center building management and Nscale's wider operational data platforms. Delivery, commissioning, and operations support Carry the controls and protection scope through the project lifecycle: design reviews, FAT witnessing, site functional testing, energization, and integrated systems testing, in partnership with the commissioning and startup organization. Support root cause analysis of controls, protection, and power quality events during startup and operations, and drive corrective actions back into designs and standards. Develop Nscale's engineering standards, specifications, and reference designs for microgrid controls, protection, and automation, so each campus builds on the last instead of starting over. Team and vendor leadership Build and lead a small team of controls and protection engineers, and direct specialist consultants and studies firms. Manage the technical relationship with relay, controls, BESS, and switchgear OEMs, holding them to disciplined engineering, testing, and documentation. Partner closely with the Director, Generation Electrical Engineering so that power system design, protection, and controls are engineered as one coherent system. Coordinate with data center operations and controls teams on the interface between generation and campus load, and with fuel gas, mechanical, and civil disciplines on multidiscipline design decisions. Communicate complex power systems issues clearly to project leadership, commissioning teams, and executives, with honest assessments of risk and readiness.

About You: 10+ years of experience in power systems controls, protection, or automation engineering, with significant time on islanded, industrial, or microgrid power systems rather than purely utility-interconnected plants. Deep protective relaying expertise: scheme design, coordination studies, and settings development on modern digital relay platforms, ideally including systems with high inverter-based resource penetration and limited fault current. Hands-on experience with plant or microgrid control systems: power management systems, governor and excitation coordination, and grid-forming or grid-following inverter controls. Working fluency with power systems studies and models: EMT (PSCAD or equivalent), dynamic stability, short circuit, coordination, and arc flash; direct experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing (RTDS or equivalent) is a strong advantage. Solid grounding in SCADA and substation automation, communications protocols (IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus), and OT cybersecurity practices. Experience taking controls and protection scopes through commissioning and energization on major projects, and comfort in the field when systems misbehave. Proven ability to direct OEMs, consultants, and EPC engineering teams, and to make technically defensible decisions under schedule pressure. Exposure to behind-the-meter generation, BESS, or mission-critical facilities is a strong advantage. Proven ability to build standards, processes, and small teams in a fast-scaling environment. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; PE license preferred. Willing and able to travel to project sites and vendor facilities regularly (typically 25%, higher during factory testing and energization campaigns). What We Can Offer You At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. We're building something extraordinary, and our people are driving it. Highly competitive US compensation package (base + bonus + equity), with performance reviews every 12 months Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) retirement plan with company match A career-defining opportunity to be an early member of one of the fastest growing AI infrastructure companies in the world A human-first approach: We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy needed to get the job done. At Nscale, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know. For information on how Nscale handles candidate personal data, please see our Employee & Candidate Privacy Notice: Here. Nscale does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions from recruitment agencies. The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and are intended to provide a general overview of the position. The employee may be required to perform additional duties, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned by management, consistent with the skills and qualifications required for the role. The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation. Salary Range $190,000 - $300,000 USD