EV Interoperability Engineer - Newark, CA

About ErthSearch

ErthSearch is a recruitment agency specializing in placing top talent at ClimateTech startups and scaleups in the US. 

We believe the need for the right people is core to building a successful venture, and failure is not an option in the climate fight. 

The challenge: recruitment fees are often prohibitive. We are here to change that. Our cost model is transparent and affordable, so you can get the best talent on the market without it costing you an arm and a leg. 

Reach out if you want a genuine hiring partner – not another mercenary.

About Our Client

ErthSearch is working with OptiGrid, an energy technology company accelerating fleet electrification with battery-integrated DC fast charging solutions. Their modular systems combine charging, energy storage, and grid management to eliminate costly infrastructure upgrades and reduce deployment timelines from years to weeks. OptiGrid is growing rapidly and seeking creative problem-solvers to help fleets transition to electric power through innovative, decentralized energy services.

The Role 

We are seeking an EV Interoperability Engineer, who will identify, diagnose, and eliminate compatibility barriers across the full EVSE charging stack, including physical connectors, ISO 15118 Plug & Charge, and OCPP back-end integration. You will collaborate daily with cross-functional hardware and software teams to validate firmware and resolve signal-level incompatibilities. Your work will directly impact the end-user charging experience by maintaining a test matrix of current and future vehicle models. 

Qualifications & Skills

Required

• A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of professional experience in EV charging, automotive embedded systems, or power electronics validation.
• Deep working knowledge of industry standards including IEC 61851, SAE J1772, ISO 15118, and OCPP 1.6/2.0.1 protocols.
• Demonstrated proficiency with protocol analysis tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
• Proven ability to work effectively across hardware, firmware, and cloud software teams in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to have:

• Familiarity with NACS (Tesla connector) protocols, SAE J3400 certification testing, and ISO 15118-20 bidirectional charging (V2G).
• Previous experience working at a DCFC manufacturer, Tier 1 automotive supplier, or EV OEM.
• Experience building hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test benches or using Python for test orchestration and data analysis.
• Background in implementing smart charging, Plug & Charge (PnC), and certificate management within OCPP 2.0.1.

Benefits

• Opportunities to work on-site with high-voltage DC equipment and specialized hardware lab facilities.  
• All employees receive comprehensive electrical safety training to ensure a secure working environment.  
• Potential for up to 25% travel to customer sites, OEM test facilities, and industry conferences to represent the company.

Note 

[visa situation] This role requires US-Working Rights - the company is unable to sponsor visa transfers. 

Application

If you are interested in this role and believe you are a good fit (ie: eliminating compatibility barriers across the full EVSE charging stack) apply today. 

If you have any problems applying, you can reach out to Silas@erthsearch.com with your updated resume and reason for interest.