System Engineer – Virtual Power Plant & V2G Systems

Free2Move eSolutions ( a Stellantis company ( ready to become an international leader in the design, manufacture and supply of e-mobility products and services , is looking for a System Engineer with strong technical expertise and systems-level understanding of distributed energy resources (DER), Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, integrating, and managing control systems that connect EV charging infrastructure, local controllers, and energy management platforms into aggregated VPP frameworks.

This role requires a combination of electrical engineering, embedded systems, communication protocols, and project coordination skills .

Key Responsibilities:

1. System Design & Integration

• Lead system architecture and technical design for VPP and EVSE/V2G integration projects.
• Develop and maintain system-level documentation , including interface control documents, network topology, and control logic flow.
• Design local control systems for EVSE with V2G capability (AC and/or DC), ensuring compliance with grid and safety standards.
• Support firmware and software integration between local controllers, cloud platforms, and utility interfaces.
• Evaluate and select suitable communication protocols (e.g., OCPP , Modbus, IEC 61850, MQTT, IEEE 2030.5).

2. Project Management & Coordination

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (hardware, firmware, software, grid operators, OEMs) to ensure timely and technically compliant delivery.
• Participate in system validation, testing, and commissioning at lab and field levels.
• Manage project milestones, technical documentation, and customer deliverables.
• Liaise with utilities, aggregators, and technology partners to align integration requirements.

3. Research & Development

• Support the development of next-generation AC V2G EVSE hardware and control algorithms.
• Contribute to R&D efforts related to grid services , such as frequency regulation, demand response, and energy optimization.
• Stay updated on industry standards and certification requirements (e.g., ISO 15118, UL 1741, IEEE 1547, EN 50549).

Qualifications & Skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering .

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of power systems , DER integration , and V2G concepts .
• Experience in control systems and embedded systems development .
• Proficiency with PLC/RTU systems , microcontrollers, or industrial automation environments.
• Familiarity with energy management systems , cloud-based IoT architectures , and data analytics for energy applications.
• Experience working with OCPP , ISO 15118 , and IEC 61850 communication protocols.
• Knowledge of AC power electronics , grid interconnection standards, and charging station hardware .
• Nice to have programming capabilities in simulation and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or similar).

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills. Fluent Italian and English (French can be a plus)
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary engineering teams .
• Self-motivated with a hands-on approach to prototyping and testing.
• Project management experience is a strong plus (e.g., Agile or PMP practices).

Objectives of the Role (First 12 Months):

1. Lead system integration for at least one pilot VPP–EVSE project, ensuring interoperability between EV chargers and the VPP platform.
2. Develop and validate a local controller prototype for V2G AC chargers with grid service capability.
3. Support certification and compliance testing for the company’s AC V2G EVSE product line.
4. Establish technical documentation and design guidelines for scalable deployment of VPP-ready EVSE systems.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with DERMS , SCADA , or energy aggregation platforms .
• Hands-on work with EVSE firmware or controller development .
• Exposure to utility grid operations , smart grid , or renewable integration projects .
• Familiarity with cybersecurity standards in energy systems (IEC 62443, ISO 27001).

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to shape cutting-edge smart grid and e-mobility solutions.
• Work with an international (Italy, France, US), multidisciplinary team of innovators.
• Professional development opportunities.