Director of Controls - C&I Energy Systems

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most.

For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future.

Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?

The Director of Controls Engineering will lead the development, integration, and scaling of Generac's Commercial and Industrial Energy Systems controls engineering organization.

Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, this role will unify controls engineering capabilities across multiple locations, building a high-performing organization capable of delivering microgrid, energy management, BESS controls, grid interactive and distributed energy resource control platforms.  This leader will drive both technical excellence and organizational growth while establishing common architectures, development methodologies, and engineering practices that enable scalable, secure, and reliable energy solutions.

This leader will be responsible for both tactical execution and strategic direction, ensuring successful delivery of current product development programs while shaping the controls technology roadmap required to support future growth.  The role will drive architecture standardization, software development maturity, advanced validation capabilities, alignment with cybersecurity best practices, and organizational development.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in power systems controls, energy management systems, utility integration, and software and controls product development with a demonstrated ability to build high-performing engineering teams and inspire innovation at scale.

Key Responsibilities

(1) Strategic Leadership & Technology Vision

- Lead the technology evolution to align with market demands for increased distributed intelligent resources for energy affordability and resiliency.
- Increasing our engagement in the Colorado regional energy ecosystem of National Labs, Academia and industry consortia.

(2) Product Development Execution

- Lead execution of controls development activities across multiple product lines and engineering teams.
- Drive predictable project execution through disciplined engineering planning, prioritization, risk management, and resource allocation.
- Balance near-term product delivery commitments with long-term platform development objectives.

(3) Controls Architecture & Platform Development

- Architect common controls frameworks, reusable software components, communication layers, and development standards across acquired businesses.
- Establish system architecture governance and technical review processes.

(4) Engineering Excellence & Process Industrialization

- Expand our Functional Excellence through Knowledge Sharing sessions, Applications Training sessions, and documented software functionality and standards alignment.
- Develop scalable verification and validation processes utilizing MIL, SIL and HIL.
- Improve product reliability, software quality, and development velocity through disciplined engineering practices.

(5) Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

- Build and scale a world-class controls engineering organization capable of supporting substantial business growth.
- Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Inspire teams to expand beyond traditional microgrid applications toward utility-scale and power plant control systems.

(6) Cybersecurity & Grid Compliance

- Champion cybersecurity-by-design principles throughout product development.
- Ensure alignment with industry cybersecurity standards, customer requirements, and emerging regulatory expectations.
- Guide development of secure architectures supporting remote connectivity, fleet management, and distributed energy networks.

(7) Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Collaborate with Corporate Engineering, Digital Technology, Product Cybersecurity, Advanced Development, and Controller Hardware teams.
- Drive alignment with enterprise platform strategies and prevent duplication of technology investments.
- Support acquisitions integration activities and technical due diligence where applicable.
- Build strong relationships across engineering, product management, manufacturing, sales and applications teams.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or related degree;
- 15 years of progressive engineering experience
- 7 years management experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related STEM field.
- MBA or equivalent experience in business strategy or operations.
- Deep understanding of power systems controls and electrical system behavior.
- Expertise with utility interconnection requirements and grid code compliance.
- Experience with grid-forming and grid-following inverter technologies.
- Experience developing advanced simulation environments and HIL validation platforms.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols including Modbus, DNP3, IEC-61850, CANbus, and Ethernet-based industrial networks.
- Demonstrated success building and scaling engineering organizations during periods of significant growth.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and secure product development practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Advanced level experience in team building and leadership skills;
- Demonstrated ability to deliver results  while working on multiple global projects simultaneously, balancing resources, timing and quality of outcomes;
- Advanced understanding of engineering technical issues/needs, financial, sales, and marketing as related to product design and development;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Power Systems Controls, Microgrid Controls, Energy Management Systems (EMS), PLC / Ladder Logic Protection Controls, Generator Controls, Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Power Plant Controllers (PPC), Cybersecurity, Agile Product Development, Software Architecture

Leadership Competencies

- Creates the Right Environment / Cares about people
- Builds high-performing engineering organizations with a culture of engineering rigor and customer focus.
- Develops future leaders and technical experts.
- Drives accountability and execution excellence.
- Influences across organizational boundaries.
- Champions continuous improvement and innovation.

Generac is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices.  The salary range for this role based in Fort Collins, Colorado is $183,000 - $311,000 USD.  This compensation will ultimately be in line with the location in which the position is filled.  Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, skills, certifications and geographic location.  This role is eligible for variable compensation including short-term and long-term incentives.

This position includes a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans; life, long-term disability, flexible spending and health savings accounts, accrued paid time off, 8 paid Holidays and 401(k) retirement benefits.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”