Base Power · Austin
Finance & LegalHardware EngineeringFullTimeposted 21mo ago
Base is America’s next-generation power company. We’re rebuilding the foundation of modern civilization–electricity–by deploying a vast network of distributed batteries that is transforming today’s fragile, centralized grid into a resilient and abundant system. We are engineers, operators, and creatives solving some of the most complex, interdisciplinary challenges of our time.
As Base’s Compliance Engineer, you will own the regulatory path for Base’s battery, grid connected devices, and solar products—guiding each from early design through full certification and market launch. This is a high-ownership role for someone with deep technical knowledge of product safety and performance standards and a strong drive to influence and navigate the compliance ecosystem.
You’ll work cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and systems engineering teams, owning our relationships with NTRLs, testing labs, and standards bodies to ensure that every design decision maps to a compliant product path. You’ll be both a strategic advisor and a hands-on contributor—drafting requirements with compliance built in from day one, managing certification test plans, leading or supporting all compliance testing, and helping shape Base’s product compliance strategy for years to come.
What You'll Do
Own and lead Base’s relationships with standards bodies, and Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), ensuring compliance is never a bottleneck for product development or deployment.
Define and communicate certification or compliance requirements to cross-functional engineering teams early in the design cycle, ensuring product requirements are drafted with compliance considerations from day one.
Interpret, clarify, and challenge implementation of relevant standards (e.g., UL 1741, UL 9540, UL 1973, UL 9540A, IEEE 1547, UL 61730, UL 1703, UL 2703, UL 3741) and ensure accurate application across battery, inverter, and solar products.
Plan, coordinate, and execute all hardware evaluation, testing, and certification activities—hands-on leading or supporting the planning, definition, setup, execution, and data analysis for all relevant compliance testing.
Track regulatory changes and emerging standards that may impact Base’s product roadmap; advocate for Base’s interests in working groups and standards meetings.
Build relationships and influence in the compliance community to effectively represent Base and our industry’s interests in all forums where feedback is accepted for organizations that define new compliance standards or revise existing ones.
Review and approve hardware and system designs for regulatory compliance.
Document compliance-related processes, findings, and gaps to ensure audit readiness and knowledge transfer.
Partner with firmware and controls teams to ensure software behavior supports compliance.
Be the internal go-to expert for NEC (National Electrical Code) and UL standard considerations across product development.
What You'll Bring
Proven experience taking a grid-tied system from concept through full regulatory certification.
Deep familiarity with UL 1741, UL 9540, UL 9540A, UL 1973, and IEEE 1547—ideally with several of these standards committed to memory.
In-depth understanding of National Electrical Code (NEC) as it applies to energy storage systems and distributed energy resources.
Strong technical communication skills—you can translate complex regulatory language into actionable engineering requirements.
Confident navigating ambiguity and pushing back on overly conservative interpretations of standards when appropriate.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
Preferred Skills
Experience with solar/PV compliance standards including UL 3741, UL 2703, UL 61730, and UL 1703.
Familiarity with FCC Part 15 Subpart B EMI compliance for power electronics products (conducted and radiated emissions testing).
Experience with UL 9540A thermal runaway fire safety testing.
Direct participation in standards development working groups or committees.
The Compliance Engineering team is a small group of highly capable engineers and domain experts embedded within Base’s Hardware organization. We exist to ensure that compliance is never a bottleneck for hardware development or deployment—instead, it’s a competitive advantage. We draft product requirements with regulatory considerations baked in from the start, own our relationships with NRTLs and standards bodies, and plan, coordinate, and execute every hardware evaluation, test, and certification. We research emerging standards to inform Base’s hardware roadmap and build influence in the compliance community to represent Base’s interests wherever industry feedback shapes new or revised standards. If you want to work at the intersection of deep technical knowledge and real-world product impact—where your decisions directly determine whether hardware ships—this is the team.
Please note: Base is a startup, which means priorities shift and evolve quickly. Your role may expand or change based on the needs of the business at any given time, so the responsibilities listed may not be exhaustive.
First Principles Thinking: Question assumptions. Principles > rules.
Operate at Base Pace: Focus on what matters, act quickly, and learn by doing.
Give & Get Feedback: Be direct, be humble, and maintain a growth mindset.
Everyone’s an Owner: Follow through on commitments and own results.
Strong Opinions, Loosely Held: Drive clarity and make calls with imperfect information.
Committed to the Mission: Rebuilding the grid is a big challenge. We work hard because we care deeply about the impact we’re creating. We work in-person. It’s not a 9-to-5. We are all-in.
Fun & Optimism Coexist with Grit: Collaboration and celebration coincide with the intensity of building real things.