Team Spotlight: Simon Willis

Published On: October 16th, 2024|3 min read|

Welcome to Team Spotlight – where we introduce you to the talented Redback Technologies team. At Redback, we pride ourselves on engineering high-quality solar and battery storage systems. At the heart of that pride is our hardworking Hardware team – led by Dr Simon Willis – Redback’s Director of Hardware.

Simon joined Redback Technologies in 2019 with a wealth of high-level experience under his belt. Before we delve into his achievements at Redback, let’s rewind to where Simon’s journey began – in Townsville.

Simon Willis, Redback's Director of Hardware smiling at the camera wearing a black shirt in front of trees

A high-tech career

In Townsville, Simon earned a joint degree in Computer Science and Computer Systems Engineering, immediately followed by a PhD in Electrical Engineering focused on Wireless Sensor Networks. After completing his studies, Simon joined a global engineering firm. His work took him overseas, where he was involved in high-stakes projects, including the commissioning and configuration of a process control system for a multi-billion-dollar Nickel processing plant in New Caledonia. He was responsible for writing the logic that ensured everything ran safely and smoothly.

Next, Simon moved to another process control engineering role. His adventures included designing and installing systems in Thailand and addressing process challenges in Zambia, Newfoundland, Panama, and Indonesia. In Indonesia, he optimised process control and solved multi-million-dollar issues, while also assessing and repairing other complex site equipment.

Innovating at Redback

Despite his success, Simon wanted to create technology with a more meaningful impact. This desire led him to Redback Technologies in 2019, where he joined as a Principal Electronics Engineer, and immediately began working on the development of Redback’s Smart 3-Phase Hybrid, Smart Inverter, and Smart Battery System. Simon and his team also developed new energy management system (EMS) architectures and firmware, significantly enhancing product performance. Simon was also influential in the development of LuceoLink for our sister brand Luceo.

During his time with Redback, Simon has been very ‘hands-on’, engineering new products and mentoring his team. Simon’s input has been instrumental in engineering Redback’s newest additions – the Hybrid Battery System, Hybrid Battery Max, and Hybrid Battery 3-Phase. Simon values collaboration and fosters a team environment where hardware, firmware, and software work seamlessly together. Feedback from customer support played a crucial role in refining these products allowing them to learn from past generations, while a close collaboration with Redback’s Software team led to a seamlessly integrated experience for Redback customers.

Simon has a Smart Inverter and Hybrid Battery System installed at his home, equipped with Amber SmartShift and Smart Load Control. These systems have collaborated in reducing Simon’s power bills from $300-$400 a month to just $30. Living in the bush, having backup power is essential, especially for his water pump, and the backup capabilities on the Hybrid Battery System have been able to kick in at crucial times for Simon.

“We have a range of exciting products on the way that will cater to every use case. With commercial and industrial solutions on the horizon, Redback is set to become the one-stop shop for solar and battery solutions in Australia.”

Outside of work, Simon is passionate about energy optimisation and electric vehicles (EVs). His passion for energy is hardly left in the office though – he even helped install solar panels on his previous house, fully engaging in the technology he helps develop. In his spare time, Simon is restoring a replica of the iconic 1965 Ford GT40, a project he has pursued since 2011. As he balances family life and home improvements, he considers whether to retain the classic V8 engine or convert it to electric.

Looking to the future, Simon hopes Redback becomes a household name in Australia. He’s excited about the products on the horizon that will cater to various needs, including upcoming commercial and industrial solutions. With Simon at the helm, Redback Technologies is poised to make a significant impact in the renewable energy landscape.