Head of Operational Engineering and Controls

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. Intersect develops, constructs, and operates the most ambitious power and data center infrastructure in the country by co-locating industrial demand with dedicated gas and renewable power generation.

Intersect was acquired by Google in March 2026 and operates as an independent subsidiary. We are developing and constructing multiple gigawatts of energy and data center projects in the U.S., enabling more data center and generation capacity to come online faster. We’re on an aggressive growth trajectory and looking for people hungry to tackle the largest energy challenges on the planet.

Location & Team Gatherings

We are currently looking for candidates located within 60 miles of any of the listed location.

We connect as a team at our Team Week experiences four times a year and at our recently established Hub locations - SF Bay Area, NYC Metro Area, NY; Denver, CO; Austin, TX; Calgary, AB; and Toronto, ON.

Director, Engineering and Controls

About this role

As the Head of Operational Engineering and Controls on Intersect's Operations team, you will serve as our Chief Engineer and final technical authority for power generation, controls, and electrical systems across our natural gas, solar, wind, and battery energy storage (BESS) portfolio. You will make the call on complex engineering decisions—from determining whether a design is ready for field deployment to diagnosing the root cause of asset underperformance and codifying best practices into fleet-wide standards. Every system Intersect delivers must be safe, reliable, and built to meet the rigorous expectations of our customers, regulators, and operators.

Beyond technical stewardship, you will build, mentor, and lead the multidisciplinary engineering teams who carry that authority forward. Partnering closely with Operations, Asset Management, and Engineering & Construction, as well as external EPC contractors and OEMs, you will ensure design, commissioning, and operating decisions align across the entire asset lifecycle. 

Team overview

This team plays a critical role in advancing Intersect's mission to accelerate the clean energy transition by ensuring our operating fleet and power infrastructure perform safely, reliably, and at peak capability. Sitting within Operations, the Engineering and Controls organization bridges project execution and long-term asset performance—turning field lessons into durable engineering standards and building the technical talent bench needed to scale our portfolio.

What you'll do

Establish Technical Authority and Fleet Standards

• Set the technical direction for power generation, plant controls, and electrical equipment across Intersect's portfolio of gas, solar, wind, and BESS assets.

• Serve as the final technical authority on design reviews, new technology evaluation, and complex field problem resolution across all projects.

• Identify recurring technical issues that cost time, capital, or customer trust, and convert each resolution into a repeatable engineering standard or playbook adopted across teams.

Build, Lead, and Elevate the Engineering Organization

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary electrical and controls engineering teams, establishing clear technical pathways that advance engineers into senior leadership roles.

• Own and drive the OKR framework for the engineering and controls organization—setting rigorous objectives, tracking measurable results, and holding the team accountable for field outcomes rather than activity.

• Provide direct, actionable feedback and technical mentorship that raises the bar for engineering judgment across the company.

Drive Cross-Functional Lifecycle Alignment

• Partner closely with Operations, Asset Management, and Engineering & Construction so that design specifications, commissioning protocols, and long-term operating decisions align seamlessly across the asset lifecycle.

• Translate operational performance data and field commissioning lessons back into upfront engineering requirements for future clean energy and data center power projects.

Direct EPC and OEM Technical Execution

• Define rigorous technical expectations and scope requirements with EPC contractors and major equipment OEMs prior to and during execution.

• Lead high-stakes technical dispute resolution under schedule pressure, holding external partners accountable to the reliability, compliance, and performance standards Intersect has contracted for.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Controls Engineering required; Master's degree strongly preferred.

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in electrical or control systems.

• 10–12+ years of progressive experience in electrical and controls engineering, with demonstrated ownership of high-stakes design decisions and field operating outcomes.

• Deep domain background across utility-scale power generation, clean energy, oil & gas, manufacturing, or mission-critical infrastructure.

• Proven track record of building, leading, and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mentoring engineers who have successfully advanced into senior technical or leadership roles.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate technical scope, manage OEMs and EPC organizations, and resolve complex equipment and controls disputes under tight schedule constraints.

• Preferred experience commissioning or operating large natural gas, solar, battery storage, or hybrid plants, along with familiarity in grid interconnection, utility-scale controls, or data center power systems.

• Preferred track record of building engineering standards, technical playbooks, and outcome-driven OKR systems within a fast-growing organization.

• A principled, humble, and decisive leadership style aligned with Intersect's core values of Equity, Humility, Authenticity, Long-run Value, and People Come First.

Total Rewards

Total Compensation: $221,000 - $260,000 (total compensation includes base salary + bonus in USD)

Equity: Beyond your salary, you’ll receive an Equity Grant, giving you a meaningful stake in our parent company. 

Health & wellness: 100% premium coverage for you and your dependents on medical, dental, and vision

Time to recharge: Unlimited PTO, plus two company-wide breaks (Fourth of July & end of year)

Family support: Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, plus 6 additional weeks for birth parents; access to family planning and family care support through Carrot and Maven

Mental health: Free access to Spring Health, including 5 free therapy and psychiatry sessions, plus a Headspace account for mindfulness and meditation through our physical health vendor, Wellhub+

Perks & extras: $150 monthly food stipend, $150 monthly reimbursement for cell phone and internet, pet insurance allowance, full home office setup, free access to UrbanSitter with $625 in quarterly company-paid credits, ActiveHero, and One Medical

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.