Alternative Energy Engineer in Training or Designer

Cushing Terrell; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing Terrell in Missoula, MT is hiring an Alternative Energy Engineer in Training to join our energy team on-site. You will help design PV systems, battery storage, and microgrids for commercial and utility-scale projects, under a licensed or senior engineer.

This position offers growth toward licensure, travel occasional site visits, and exposure to behind-the-meter projects while you develop one-line diagrams, load calculations, and project documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related energy field or 2–3 years of relevant alternative energy design experience
• Zero to three 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

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

Skills

AC/DC knowledge

Excel

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related energy field

Tools

PVSyst

Homer Pro/Grid

AutoCAD

Revit MEP

Bluebeam

Job description

Alternative Energy Engineer in Training

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.

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

Working at Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.

Why Cushing Terrell

At Cushing Terrell, we empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments. But more than that, we support a strong, cohesive team, from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, placing people at the center of our practice, thus our tagline, 'design meets you.' Together, we find joy in uncovering imaginative solutions for the people who work here, the people we work for, and the planet as a whole. We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team. View our Employee Benefits Guide: https://cushingterrell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CushingTerrell_BenefitsGuide_2026_rev.pdf

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.