Microgrid Controls Validation Intern

Team: Microgrids

Location: San Francisco, CA

Commitment: Internship

Workplace Type: onsite

We’re a team of friends bound together by a mission to preserve our planet for future generations through innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure. In December 2025, Google announced an agreement to acquire Intersect, to enable more data center and generation capacity to come online faster while accelerating energy development and innovation. After close, we’ll continue doing exactly what we were built to do - develop, construct, and operate the most ambitious power and data infrastructure in the country.

Intersect’s operations will remain separate from Alphabet and Google under the Intersect brand. We’re on an aggressive growth trajectory and looking for people hungry to tackle the largest energy challenges on the planet.

About This Role

As part of Intersect’s Microgrid Engineering team, you’ll help design and build the testing environments that validate next-generation microgrid control systems. This work connects lab-based experimentation with advanced simulation, ensuring control strategies perform reliably under real-world conditions.

You’ll shape how testing is done—from defining test plans for a Microgrid Lab to building Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems—working cross-functionally with controls engineers, system designers, and lab teams.

Team Overview

This team plays a critical role in advancing Intersect’s mission to accelerate the renewable energy transition by ensuring that energy systems are rigorously tested, validated, and ready for real-world deployment. The team operates at the intersection of hardware, software, and system design, enabling scalable, high-impact solutions through collaboration and technical excellence.

What You’ll Do

Design Microgrid Test Strategy

• Develop detailed test plans for Microgrid Lab testing, including metering and control requirements

• Translate validation objectives into structured, scalable testing approaches

• Anticipate future testing needs and incorporate them into lab design

Build HIL Simulation Environments

• Design and plan a Controls Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) setup for microgrid controls validation

• Configure simulation environments that reflect real-world operating conditions

• Enable seamless integration between physical hardware and simulation systems

Execute and Improve Validation Testing

• Run and support electrical lab testing for microgrid systems

• Analyze results to validate control system performance and identify issues

• Continuously refine test setups to improve accuracy, efficiency, and coverage

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field

• Strong understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and control systems

• Hands-on experience working in an electrical test lab environment

• Experience running simulation studies using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems

• Familiarity with test planning, instrumentation, and validation methodologies

• Understanding of microgrid or distributed energy systems

• Ability to think ahead and design testing environments based on future needs

• High attention to detail and a structured, methodical approach to problem-solving

• A collaborative mindset and curiosity that will help you succeed across hardware and software domains

Program Details

 

Duration: 10 weeks

Program Dates: June 1 – August 14

Location: Interns are expected to work in-person from our San Francisco office

Mentorship: Each intern will receive guidance from experienced professionals throughout the program

Capstone Presentation: Interns will present their final project to executive leadership at the end of the program

 

Compensation

• $35 USD per hour for undergraduate students.

• $45 USD per hour for graduate students.

 

Applicants must be authorized to work in Canada or the US. Intersect is unable to sponsor visas for this position.

 

Ready to gain real-world experience while contributing to meaningful innovation? Apply now and start building your career with Intersect.

Intersect maintains a work environment free from discrimination, one where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling Intersect's commitment to equal employment opportunity. Intersect does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by and consistent with applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline.