Senior OT Communications & Cybersecurity Engineer at SMA America

Job description

Why Work at SMA America Power the future. Build your career at SMA America. As the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, we have been at the forefront of solar inverter technology since 1981, developing solutions that make photovoltaic power plants simpler, more reliable, safer, and more cost effective. Headquartered in Rocklin, California, SMA America has spent more than two decades helping homes, businesses, and utilities across the country generate clean, reliable power. We are the only inverter manufacturer in the world offering solutions for every system size, from residential rooftops to large scale utility plants, backed by more than 1,500 patents and a presence in over 190 countries. Innovation is only part of the story. We invest in our people, create room to grow, challenge conventional thinking, and protect a culture where teammates genuinely care about each other and the work. We hire capable people and give them the space to do the job, with clear expectations, open door leadership, and real autonomy. If you are passionate about driving positive change and want a career where you can take ownership of your work, we would love to meet you. Together, we are not just part of the energy transition, we are helping drive it forward. Senior OT Communications & Cybersecurity Engineer Rocklin, CA (HQ) or Texas preferred, remote considered PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The Senior OT Communications & Cybersecurity Engineer supports the design, integration, and operation of communication and control systems across utility-scale renewable energy assets, including solar PV, battery storage, and hybrid plants. This role owns site-level communications architecture, machine-to-machine (M2M) communications integration, and secure connectivity between sites, utilities, and cloud platforms. PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES Lead integration of site controllers, inverters, and auxiliary equipment into a unified plant communications architecture Design and configure machine-to-machine (M2M) communications between site controllers, inverters, and plant-level gateways and data concentrators Define and deploy end-to-end communication networks, including industrial Ethernet (fiber/copper), layered OT network segmentation, and integration of secure connectivity platforms, data collectors, and industrial gateways Design and support OT networks, including firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs and segmentation, and fiber optic networks Manage secure communication interfaces between sites and utilities, transmission operators, ISOs/RTOs, asset owners, and cloud-based platforms Configure and validate protocols for wide-area communications, including real-time telemetry, dispatch and control signals, and event and disturbance reporting Design and implement multi-layer cybersecurity architectures, including segmented network zones, secure data replication layers, and unidirectional gateways (data diodes) for critical assets Support compliance with NERC CIP standards, utility interconnection requirements, and internal cybersecurity frameworks Enable inverter monitoring, diagnostics, and fault detection through integration with cloud-based dashboards Collaborate with O&M and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize system performance Maintain auditable data and communication structures to meet regulatory compliance requirements Other duties as assigned REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience At least 5 years of utility communications, industrial networking, OT systems, or energy management systems experience Strong understanding of firewalls and network security fundamentals Ability to debug network connections using tools such as Wireshark Extensive hands-on experience with utility-scale OT communication systems, including RTUs, PLCs, industrial gateways, and edge/data collection devices Strong experience with industrial and utility protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, IEC 61850 (preferred), and OPC UA Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity principles, including defense-in-depth architectures, secure remote access/VPNs, and network segmentation and monitoring Experience implementing secure communication paths between OT and IT systems Comfort working with field data, diagnostics, and system telemetry OTHER SPECIALIZED SKILLS Background in commissioning or field deployment Experience implementing unidirectional security solutions (data diodes) Knowledge of ISO/RTO integration requirements Strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, O&M, and IT/security teams Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities Ability to clearly communicate technical architectures to both technical and non-technical stakeholders Familiarity with NERC CIP and cybersecurity frameworks for critical infrastructure Proficiency in English required; German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) Proven ability to work effectively in a matrix organization Periodic domestic travel required; international travel may be required WE OFFER Compensation: $138,000 to $158,000 base salary, commensurate with experience Location: Rocklin, CA (HQ) or Texas preferred; remote candidates considered. Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) plan with company match Opportunities for professional development and industry engagement WORK AUTHORIZATION Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. SMA America does not offer employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including H-1B, OPT, CPT, or TN visas. Candidates who currently require or will in the future require visa sponsorship are not eligible. Candidates operating under a temporary work permit or any visa-tied employment authorization are also not eligible. AI-GENERATED APPLICATION MATERIALS We review all resumes and application materials for AI-generated content. Submissions that show evidence of AI manipulation will be disqualified from consideration without further review. We want to hear your authentic voice and see your genuine experience. RECRUITMENT FRAUD NOTICE All SMA America openings are posted on our official careers page and all recruiter communication comes from an @sma-america.com address. We never request payment, banking information, or a Social Security number during the recruitment process. If you are contacted about an SMA America role from a personal email account, or asked for any of the above, please forward the message to HRGeneralmailbox@sma-america.com . Our EEO Policy We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one's race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law. In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application. Our Privacy Policy During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third-party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants' personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA's staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA. If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the "CCPA"). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information. If you have any question regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at US_DataPrivacy@sma-america.com

Requirements

Must-haves

Why Work at SMA America
Power the future. Build your career at SMA America.
Lead integration of site controllers, inverters, and auxiliary equipment into a unified plant communications architecture
Design and configure machine-to-machine (M2M) communications between site controllers, inverters, and plant-level gateways and data concentrators
Design and support OT networks, including firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs and segmentation, and fiber optic networks
Manage secure communication interfaces between sites and utilities, transmission operators, ISOs/RTOs, asset owners, and cloud-based platforms
Configure and validate protocols for wide-area communications, including real-time telemetry, dispatch and control signals, and event and disturbance reporting
Design and implement multi-layer cybersecurity architectures, including segmented network zones, secure data replication layers, and unidirectional gateways (data diodes) for critical assets
Support compliance with NERC CIP standards, utility interconnection requirements, and internal cybersecurity frameworks
Enable inverter monitoring, diagnostics, and fault detection through integration with cloud-based dashboards
Collaborate with O&M and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize system performance
Maintain auditable data and communication structures to meet regulatory compliance requirements
Other duties as assigned
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience
At least 5 years of utility communications, industrial networking, OT systems, or energy management systems experience
Strong understanding of firewalls and network security fundamentals
Ability to debug network connections using tools such as Wireshark
Extensive hands-on experience with utility-scale OT communication systems, including RTUs, PLCs, industrial gateways, and edge/data collection devices
Strong understanding of OT cybersecurity principles, including defense-in-depth architectures, secure remote access/VPNs, and network segmentation and monitoring
Experience implementing secure communication paths between OT and IT systems

Nice-to-haves

Senior OT Communications & Cybersecurity Engineer Rocklin, CA (HQ) or Texas preferred, remote considered
Strong experience with industrial and utility protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, IEC 61850 (preferred), and OPC UA
Proficiency in English required; German and/or Spanish language skills are a plus
Location: Rocklin, CA (HQ) or Texas preferred; remote candidates considered. Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates

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Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Professional Development