RTDS Engineer

Role Summary Terabase Energy is seeking an RTDS Engineer to support the delivery of real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation solutions for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This role will be primarily responsible for developing, configuring, validating, and maintaining project-specific RTDS and RSCAD models used for plant controller, SCADA, EMS, inverter, and substation control validation. The RTDS Engineer will work closely with Controls Engineering, SCADA Engineering, Project Engineering, Modeling & Validation, Commissioning, and customer-facing teams to ensure HIL simulations are ready for internal testing, FAT, customer witness testing, and field issue replication. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of hands-on experience with PSCAD, RSCAD, RTDS modeling, and HIL setup for project-specific power plant validation. Key Responsibilities RTDS / RSCAD Modeling · Develop and configure project-specific RTDS and RSCAD models for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid power plants. · Translate electrical one-lines, control narratives, interconnection requirements, equipment data, and project specifications into real-time simulation models. · Build and validate plant-level models for active power, reactive power, voltage control, frequency response, ramp-rate control, curtailment, and grid support functions. · Develop and maintain reusable RSCAD model libraries, templates, and project standards. PSCAD and Dynamic Modeling · Develop, review, and validate PSCAD models to support project-specific studies, controls validation, and grid compliance requirements. · Support model alignment between PSCAD and RTDS/RSCAD environments. · Work with inverter OEMs, BESS OEMs, and internal engineering teams to validate control behavior and model assumptions. · Support testing related to inverter-based resource performance, plant controller behavior, and interconnection compliance. HIL Setup and Project Delivery · Set up project-specific Hardware-in-the-Loop environments using RTDS and physical control hardware. · Integrate PPCs, EMS controllers, RTACs, relays, gateways, SCADA servers, network switches, firewalls, and communication interfaces into the HIL environment. · Configure I/O mapping, signal routing, protocol interfaces, and controller communication paths. · Support FAT, eFAT, customer witness testing, internal validation, and project readiness reviews. · Ensure HIL environments are delivered on schedule to support project milestones. Testing, Validation, and Troubleshooting · Develop and execute HIL test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and validation reports. · Validate controls performance under normal operating conditions, grid disturbances, curtailment scenarios, plant trips, communication failures, and recovery events. · Troubleshoot model, controller, communication, network, and simulation issues during HIL setup and testing. · Replicate field issues in the HIL environment to support commissioning, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions. · Document test results, model assumptions, issue logs, lessons learned, and final validation outcomes. Cross-Functional Collaboration · Partner with Controls Engineering, SCADA Engineering, Project Engineering, Commissioning, IT/OT, and Product teams to align HIL setup with project needs. · Support customer-facing technical discussions related to HIL testing, plant controller validation, and model behavior. · Work with vendors and OEMs to obtain model data, controller interfaces, firmware details, and communication requirements. · Contribute to Terabase’s standard HIL delivery process, test automation roadmap, and quality improvement initiatives. Requirements Required Qualifications · Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field. · 5+ years of experience with PSCAD, RSCAD, RTDS, or real-time power system simulation. · Hands-on experience setting up Hardware-i