Practice Leader, Residential Solar Independent Engineering

DNV Germany Holding GmbH; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading renewable energy consulting firm and drive the success of solar projects across North America. This dynamic role involves leading customer relationships, advancing technical methods, and managing a team of project managers. You'll engage with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with top developers and financiers in the solar industry. As part of a high-performing team, you'll contribute to the acceleration of solar energy deployment, making a positive impact on society and the planet. If you're passionate about sustainable energy and have a strong background in solar projects, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in the solar industry with technical evaluations.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer relationships and drive financial performance in solar projects.
• Oversee technical due diligence and manage a team of project managers.

Skills

Technical evaluation in solar industry

Project management

Financial modeling

Communication skills

Solution-oriented thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree

Tools

Python-based energy forecasting tool

MS Office

Job description

About Energy Systems

We help customers navigate the complex transition to a decarbonized and more sustainable energy future. We do this by assuring that energy systems work safely and effectively, using solutions that are increasingly digital. We also help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry.

Do you want to drive both the commercial and technical success of a key service segment for the world’s leading renewable energy consulting firm?

We’re looking for a fantastic person to join us in leading a variety of solar projects throughout the US and Canada. You will be involved in tens of thousands of rooftop systems per portfolio, work with the biggest developers and financiers in the space, and be exposed to cutting-edge technology. The primary functions of this position include the execution of business development activities to maintain our customer relationships and grow our residential Solar IE practice. Additionally, the focus includes advancing our technical methods and capabilities, including industry-facing thought leadership, as well as leading a team of technical project managers, performing and supporting project due diligence.

By joining our team at DNV, you will be part of accelerating the widespread deployment of solar energy and positively impacting society and the planet. We achieve our purpose through the long-term success of our customers. We strive to be a high-performing, innovative team that reflects the equity, respect, and diversity we wish to see in the world.

DNV’s Solar team holds a substantial market position for due diligence services to support the financing and construction of solar projects, and our staff are viewed as experts and thought leaders in the industry. In this role, our team provides technical consulting and independent engineering services for solar project developers, financial institutions, and investors who rely on our reports as part of their investment decision-making process.

This role is based at our DNV office in Toronto (ON) or Montreal (QB), presenting a dynamic hybrid schedule where employees will typically spend three (3) days per week working from either a DNV office or client location/site. Further details regarding role-specific requirements will be shared during the interview process.

The position may also be considered at other DNV offices within Canada.

What You’ll Do

• Leading customer relationships and driving financial performance through development of sales pipeline and delivery of technical due diligence work
• Advancing thought leadership and innovation initiatives, focusing on technology, financing, operations, and data analytics issues
• Leading a small team of project managers, providing technical oversight, guidance, and approvals through the financial closing of projects
• Coordinating and executing the technical review process for commercial projects with inputs from internal discipline subject matter experts
• Using DNV’s python-based energy forecasting tool and tuning forecasting inputs appropriately
• Performing portions of the due diligence reviews, including energy operational energy assessments and energy forecasts, lease and PPA contracts, O&M strategy evaluations, and financial model (OPEX and CAPEX) reviews
• Facilitating team personal and career development via coaching, annual review process, and training
• Prioritizing QHSE considerations within the team to ensure safe execution and healthy work environment
• Participating in due diligence activities for utility-scale and C&I/community scale solar projects as a capable project manager supporting the broader solar Independent Engineering team as needed

What Is Required

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related energy field from an accredited 4-year university
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant experience working in the solar industry performing technical evaluation or engaged in the financing process for solar projects
• Familiarity with solar energy industry technology (modules, inverters, mounting system, balance of system, storage technology, etc.) and contracts (residential leases, performance guarantees, construction, supply, operations, interconnection, offtake, and/or asset management contracts)
• Working understanding of budgets and financial models, and ability to validate technical inputs for O&M costs and production/revenues
• Project management and time management skills, including an ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines and proven track record in establishing and maintaining good relations with clients
• Willingness and ability to travel, up to 20% of the time
• Able to sit for long periods of time, when working in office
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills, including ability to write clear and detailed technical reports, presentations, and emails, and to clearly communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience
• Solution-oriented thinking skills – identifying technical risks and formulating solutions that enable financing/investment to proceed on the basis of solid technical input
• Displaying high integrity and honesty – clients rely on DNV’s independence and its responsibility to perform a rigorous but fair review of a project
• Fluent in MS Office products
• We conduct pre-employment background screening

What is Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Some concentration of experience in at least one of the following: solar industry construction and operating contracts, residential energy forecasting, solar project construction, operations/asset management, solar project design/development, module/inverter technology, power marketing/offtake contracting, or energy storage technology and implementation, or in the independent engineering function
• Experience reviewing and identifying trends in large sets of production data
• Experience in the wind industry or other renewables may be advantageous
• Experience performing independent engineering due diligence assessments for project finance
• Experience managing or leading people
• Industry thought leadership experience
• Working knowledge of energy storage systems

*Immigration-related employment benefits, for example visa sponsorship, are not available for this position*