Title: Head of EMS Engineering
SKOn is seeking an experienced, visionary EMS/Software Engineering Leader to own the end-to-end strategy, architecture, development, and commercial execution of our Energy Management Systems (EMS) solutions. In this leadership role, you will build and direct a high-performing software engineering team tasked with building software that seamlessly interfaces with Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Power Conversion Systems (PCS).
You will bridge deep technical engineering with commercial strategy - working closely with product management to align EMS capability with SK On's broader Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and PCS roadmaps. From initial DC-Block deployments with 3rd-party centralized inverters to next-generation AC-Block solutions with integrated string inverters, you will position SKOn as an industry leader in grid-scale energy storage software, with a heavy focus on high-reliability applications like AI Data Centers (AIDC).
Key Responsibilities:1. Software Architecture & Technical Execution
End-to-End EMS Ownership: Lead the complete software lifecycle for SKOn's proprietary EMS, ensuring high availability control, real time telemetry, edge/cloud integration, and seamless interfacing with BMS and PCS controllers.
Architecture Evolution:- Phase 1 (DC-Block Focus): Drive EMS integration with SKOn's DC-Block enclosure hardware and 3rd-party centralized PCS units
- Phase 2 (AC-Block Focus): Architect and execute software solutions for upcoming AC-Block architectures incorporating string inverters.
- Control & Protocol Mastery: Standardize communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, CAN, IEC 61850) for fast response power control, state-of-charge (SoC) management, thermal balancing, and fault recovery.
2. Product Strategy & Commercial Positioning:- Roadmap Alignment: Co-develop product roadmaps alongside BESS hardware and Systems engineering teams to ensure unified hardware-software solution delivery
- PPC Strategy (Co-exist vs. Compete): Strategize how SKOn's EMS solutions will either integrate alongside or directly replace 3rd-party Power Plant Controllers (PPC) and system integrator software
- Market Applications: Deliver targeted algorithms and software features across key verticals:
- Stand-alone utility-scale storage (arbitrage, frequency regulation, capacity firming).
- Solar + Storage hyrid systems
- AI Data Centers (AIDC): High-reliability microgrid and power firming applications
3. Advanced AIDC & Hybrid Generation Integration- Spearhead software capabilities tailored to mission-critical AIDC power requirements (sub-second backup switching, peak shaving, islanding)
- Orchestrate multi-asset control strategies integrating BESS with Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT), backup Diesel/Gas Generator Sets (Gen-SETs), and utility grid interconnections.
4. Leadership & Team Building- Build & Scale the Team: Recruit, hire, and mentor a top-tier team of software architects, control system engineers, QA testers, and cloud/edge developers.
- Culture & Standards: Establish best-in-class software engineering practices (CI/CD, automated testing, cybersecurity compliance, Agile/Scrum processes, and ISO/IEC software standards).
Required Qualifications & Experience- Leadership & Background
- Education: B.S., M.S., in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
- Experience: 10+ years in software development within clean energy or power systems, with 5+ years in a senior engineering leadership role buildling and scaling teams.
- Proven track record of launching commercial grid-scale EMS, SCADA, or Power Plant Controller (PPC) products
- Technical & Domain Expertise
- Power Systems & BESS: Deep domain knowledge of grid-scale energy storage systems, including BMS architecture, PCS operation, and grid-interconnection dynamics
- Inverter Systems: Technical familiarity with both centralized PCS architectures and distributed strong inverter configurations
- AIDC & Generation Controls: Experience with microgrid controllers, dispatch optimization, or hybrid plant controls involving conventional generation (CCGT, Gen-SETs, Gas Turbines)
- Communication & Control: Deep expertise with industrial protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, CAN bus, IEC 60870-5-104) and real-time control loops
- Software Tech Stack: Proficiency with C/C++, Rust, Python, Go, Edge runtime environments (Linux, RTOs), and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure) for remote monitoring and fleet analytics. Vibe coding and advanced AI agentic platform management.