Principal Systems Engineer, Fuel Cell Systems

Principal Systems Engineer, Fuel Cell Systems

Status: Exempt (salaried)                             

Department: Product Development Engineering – Fuel Cell Platforms

Location: On site role based in Slingerlands, NY

Position Summary

The Principal Systems Engineer, Fuel Cell Systems leads the architecture, integration, and validation of hydrogen fuel cell systems for the material handling platform in a matrix organization. This role serves as both technical authority and program leader, responsible for end-to-end system definition, cross-functional technical leadership, structured program execution, cost and schedule management, and ensuring performance, safety, durability, manufacturability, and regulatory compliance of the integrated fuel cell power system.

The Principal Systems Engineer will apply disciplined industrial product development and program management practices to drive hardware and software releases through concept development, design validation, pilot production, and full-scale manufacturing launch. This role reports to the Director of Fuel Cell Platforms.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the system-level technical leader for development of advanced industrial energy platforms, driving integration across hardware, embedded software, and manufacturing teams.
• Lead end-to-end integration of fuel cell stack, hydrogen delivery, air management, cooling systems, power electronics, and controls into a scalable, production-ready industrial solution.
• Own overall system architecture, ensuring performance, safety, reliability, durability, and cost targets are achieved.
• Partner with cross-functional engineering teams to define operating strategies (start-up, shutdown, purge, freeze protection, load following) and optimize system performance across industrial duty cycles.
• Drive structured system-level problem-solving efforts (e.g., 8D, DMAIC) to resolve complex technical issues and improve field reliability and customer outcomes.
• Lead new product introductions (NPI) and major platform upgrades, ensuring alignment of scope, schedule, technical readiness levels (TRL), and risk mitigation strategies.
• Establish and manage key development milestones (Concept Freeze, Design Freeze, DV/PV, Pilot Build, Production Release) to ensure synchronized hardware and software maturity.
• Collaborate with validation teams to define and execute system-level DVP&R plans aligned to industrial duty cycles and customer use cases.
• Ensure compliance with applicable hydrogen and fuel cell standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, UL, NFPA) and support regulatory approvals and certification activities.
• Mentor engineering teams and represent system performance, risk posture, and trade-off analysis in executive and customer-facing technical reviews.
• Represent Plug Power in a professional manner at all times and in all interactions
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in fuel cell systems, hydrogen systems, battery systems, or related electrochemical/industrial power system development.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional engineering programs through full industrial product development lifecycles from concept through production launch including New Product Introduction (NPI) in regulated industrial or energy markets.
• Proven success managing complex hardware programs with integrated embedded software and controls in a matrix organization, balancing cost, schedule, risk, and technical performance.
• Strong expertise in system integration, including controls architecture and balance-of-plant (BOP) components within industrial, automotive, heavy-duty, aerospace, or stationary platforms.
• Experience operating within structured product development frameworks (e.g., Stage-Gate), with familiarity in Lean product development, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and/or formal program management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile for hardware).
• Familiarity with hydrogen and fuel cell codes and standards, including SAE International, ISO, and NFPA 2, and experience supporting regulatory approvals and certification activities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to present complex technical trade-offs to engineering, operations, executive, and customer audiences.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• Exempt employees are expected to work as many hours as is necessary to complete their job responsibilities.  This may require they work more than eight hours a day and more than five days or 40 hours per week.   

#HP

Pay Rate:

$106,500.00 - $170,400.00

We offer a fantastic total rewards package at Plug, and a brief summary is below:
Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment.  If you are interested in this position, we’d ask that you apply.
The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you.
Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
401(k) with 5% company match
Bonus eligibility
Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
Paid Holidays
Wellness Reimbursement Program
Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
Fertility and Family Building Benefit
Employee Referral program
Employee Assistance Program  
Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.