Alternative Energy Engineer in Training - Missoula

Make Choteau Home; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing Terrell in Missoula, MT is seeking an Alternative Energy Engineer in Training to join our on-site energy team. You will help design PV systems, battery storage, and microgrids for commercial and utility-scale projects, and you will draft single-line diagrams and perform load calculations.

Under a senior engineer, you'll use PVSyst, Homer Grid, and related tools, read architectural plans, coordinate with other disciplines, and contribute to contract documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related energy field, or 2–3 years of relevant alternative energy design experience in place of a degree.
• 0–3 years of job related experience.
• Basic knowledge of AC and DC electrical systems and design practices.
• Competency with Microsoft Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and revise electrical design drawings for solar, battery storage, and microgrid systems under the guidance of a licensed engineer.
• Perform load calculations and develop one line diagrams for electrical services, sizing systems.
• Apply NEC requirements for grounding, conductor sizing, and conduit fill as you build code competency.
• Calculate solar generation and system sizing using PVSyst and Homer Pro/Grid for utility scale and building connected projects.
• Coordinate with architectural and civil teams by reading plans to produce accurate contract documents.
• Take on ambiguous project scopes and fill in technical details independently as you grow into the role.

Skills

Electrical design

Load calculations

Communication skills

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related energy field

Tools

PVSyst

Homer Grid/Pro

Revit MEP

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

SAM

Job description

Description

Cushing Terrell is hiring an Alternative Energy Engineer in Training to join our alternative energy team in Missoula, Montana. This is an on-site role, open to candidates entering as an Engineer in Training or as a Designer depending on background and licensure path, supporting the design of solar, battery storage, and microgrid systems for utility-scale and large commercial projects. The role involves occasional travel, typically three to five site visits per year, to support active projects.

What does this role involve day to day?

Working under a senior engineer, you will help design PV systems, battery storage, and microgrids for grid‑tied and standalone projects, ranging from commercial solar installations to utility‑scale battery systems spanning acres of land. You will draft one line diagrams, perform load calculations, and use PVSyst and Homer Pro/Grid to size generation and storage systems. You will also read architectural and civil plans to coordinate your work with other disciplines in the production of contract documents.

What does success look like year one?

By the end of your first year, you will be comfortable with the drafting programs used on our projects and able to take a project's goals and floor plans, lay out the PV system, and develop the single line diagram while checking your work against code. You will get direct exposure to senior engineers on a small, high growth team that is projected to grow from four to five to eight people over the next year, working on some of the only behind the meter microgrid projects being done in the country.

Position Salary Range

The expected salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000 annually.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related energy field, or two to three years of relevant alternative energy design experience in place of a degree
• Zero to three years of job related experience
• Basic knowledge of AC and DC electrical systems and design practices
• Competency with Microsoft Office Products, specifically Microsoft Excel
• Competent mathematical and analytical skills with strong written and verbal communication

Preferred Qualifications

• Willingness to sit for the FE exam within the first year, or a current EIT certification
• Experience with System Advisor Model (SAM), PVSyst, or Homer Grid/Pro
• Exposure to utility scale or commercial scale solar, or battery storage system projects
• Familiarity with NEC and IEEE codes and standards
• Working knowledge of Autodesk Revit MEP, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam.

Did you know that some people hold back on applying to jobs if they don't meet 100% of the listed requirements? We don't want you to hold back! If you check most of the qualifications above and believe you could successfully do the work, we encourage you to apply!

Position Responsibilities

• Draft and revise electrical design drawings for solar, battery storage, and microgrid systems under the guidance of a licensed engineer, including setup, input, and redline corrections
• Perform load calculations and develop one line diagrams for electrical services, sizing systems by voltage, phase, amperage, and kVA
• Apply National Electrical Code requirements for grounding, conductor sizing, demand factors, and conduit fill as you build code competency under senior engineer supervision
• Calculate solar generation and system sizing using PVSyst and Homer Pro/Grid for both utility scale and building connected power generation projects
• Analyze utility electrical tariffs to calculate system payback timelines for clients
• Coordinate with architectural and civil teams by reading and interpreting their plans to produce accurate, consistent contract documents
• Take on ambiguous project scopes and fill in technical details independently as you grow into the role

Things to Note

Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate's years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job related factors (as permitted by law). This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

The majority of the time, a person in this role will be sitting in an office with limited physical requirements. This may require individuals to bend, stretch, twist, and reach.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cushing Terrell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Contact 406.248.7455 if you require assistance or accommodation during the employment application process.