Our Mission
SPAN develops products that accelerate the home's rapid adoption of renewable energy. The flagship SPAN Smart Panel is the first true evolution of the traditional home electric panel, harnessing enhanced metering, monitoring, and control technology. An expanded product suite of intelligent, integrated solutions radically lowers the cost and complexity of energy upgrades–including solar, batteries, and EVs–empowering homeowners to be active, resilient, and informed players in the energy market.
The Role
The Data Science, Modeling, and Controls (DMC) team is part of a broad Research and Development department at SPAN. Our mission is to provide cutting edge analytics, simulation tools, and controls paradigms to product and firmware/software teams. As a Modeling and Controls Intern, you will be involved in the development of controls algorithms, as well as the development of some physics models to establish baseline control parameters, timings, and system requirements.
Responsibilities
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Prototype control algorithms for different Span panel systems: home load management, etc.
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Develop reduced-order models to represent some of the systems to be controlled: appliance load profiles, panel performance, etc.
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Utilize optimization routes to tune controllers and physics-based models
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Write unit and integration tests for algorithms and models
Potential Projects
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Optimization of component performance to reduce field service
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Simulation and controls for on-grid to off-grid transitions
About You
We are seeking individuals with experience in scripting languages, such as Python and Matlab, as well as some knowledge in compiled languages, primarily C and C++. Knowledge in computational methods, numerical linear algebra, and basic feedback controls is a big plus. Need to be familiar with version control in git and GitHub (or similar). Having some background in controls is also desirable.
Required Qualifications
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Candidate must be pursuing a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar
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Must have foundational knowledge of object-oriented programming
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Must have intermediate experience in a scripting language (either Python or Matlab)
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Must have at least beginner experience in a compiled language (C or C++)
Bonus Qualifications
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Foundational knowledge is basic feedback control theory
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Experience with Simulink or Simscape
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Knowledgeable in numerical linear algebra
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Experience with Make and/or Cmake
The Internship position has a duration of 12 weeks and will start in May or June of 2024. Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited college or university, and have not graduated prior to end of the Internship term.
The hourly rate for this role is $30/ hour for undergrad students, and $32/hr for Masters or PhD students.
Life at SPAN
SPAN embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Headquartered in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa neighborhood, we are an eclectic group of creative thinkers who value open communication, teamwork, and a ‘make it happen’ approach to addressing complex challenges.
We’re hiring talented individuals who are driven by success and are passionate about shaping the future of renewable energy. If that sounds like you, we’d love for you to consider joining the rapidly growing team at SPAN.
The Perks:
⚡ Great opportunity to begin your career at a mission driven climate focused company
⚡ Competitive compensation at a well-funded, venture-backed company
⚡ Comfortable, sunny office space located near BART and Caltrain public transit
⚡ Strong focus on team-building and company culture (events, meet-ups, clubs)
Interested in joining our team? Submit an application today and we’ll be in touch with next steps!
