Development Engineer

AES Corporation; Louisville (CO); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

AES Corporation is seeking an Engineer, Development – WEST to lead design and engineering for utility-scale PV and battery projects in early-stage development in the West region.

You will model production and dispatch, select equipment, and coordinate with internal teams to support RFPs, permits, and interconnection applications, with travel up to 10% and potential remote/work-from-office options.

Qualifications

• Undergrad degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years in energy system design or consulting.
• Proficiency with PVsyst, Solar Farmer, SAM, and AutoCAD.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote/distributed team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop preliminary plant designs, site layouts, and single-line diagrams for greenfield development, M&A, and RFP-support projects.
• Model energy production and battery dispatch.
• Coordinate internal CAD and interconnection teams for layouts and designs.
• Support responses to RFPs, permit and interconnection applications, and due diligence.
• Assist pricing and value engineering with internal estimating and commercial teams.
• Contribute to process improvements for cost estimates and design tools.

Skills

Energy system design

Renewable energy modeling

Cross-functional teamwork

Remote/ distributed work

MS Office

Education

Undergraduate degree in electrical or mechanical engineering

Graduate degree appreciated or credited towards experience

Tools

PVsyst

Solar Farmer

SAM

AutoCAD

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that’s not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices. Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you’re ready to be part of a company that’s not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We’re not just building a more sustainable future, we’re powering it.

Role Overview

The Engineer, Development – WEST will be responsible for the design and engineering of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage (BESS) projects in early-stage development within the West region. Technical responsibilities include production and dispatch modeling, facility layout, project sizing, and preliminary system analysis in support of early-stage cost estimates. They will coordinate internal resources for drafting and civil/geotechnical engineering to complete the layouts and designs. The Engineer will also support the development team to prepare responses to offtake requests for proposal (RFPs), permit applications, interconnection applications, and perform technical due diligence to optimize the facility design.

The Engineer will join a team of utility-scale development engineers reporting to the West region development engineering manager. They will support senior team members on technical and engineering matters for assigned projects and may serve as the lead project engineer at the discretion of the West region development engineering manager. The successful candidate will have direct design experience with PV and BESS systems and battery energy storage systems. Excellent communication, task management and planning skills are required, in addition to technical breadth. The position is at one of AES US Renewables & Power offices or remote and will include up to 10% travel to project locations and partner offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop preliminary plant designs, site layouts, and single-line diagrams working with internal CAD and interconnection teams for greenfield development, M&A, and RFP-support projects.
• Select primary project equipment (inverters, PV modules, batteries, trackers, etc.) based on internal guidance on site conditions, utility requirements, and project schedule.
• Model energy production (using PVsyst and/or Solar Farmer) and battery dispatch.
• Conduct site evaluations, both remote and in-person, to assess project suitability, technical constraints, and constructability.
• Perform technical diligence on third party-prepared production estimates, site plans, product documentation, and meteorological data.
• Support internal estimating, development and commercial teams on project pricing and value engineering exercises.

Growth and Leadership

Contribute to process and design tool improvement initiatives for more accurate cost estimate and efficiently produced preliminary facility designs.

Identify changing trends in project development and provide feedback.

Safety

Attend site safety walks and identify jobsite hazards. Obtain and maintain safety certifications: NFPA 70E, OSHA 10, and CPR/First Aid Lead by example.

Skills and Qualifications

Primary Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in engineering (electrical or mechanical preferred) or equivalent technical field.
• 3+ years professional experience in energy system design or consulting.
• Advanced degrees in a related field may be credited towards years of experience.
• Proficiency with common renewable energy system modeling tools and packages including PVsyst, Solar Farmer, SAM (System Advisor Model), and AutoCAD.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to successfully work cross-functionally across a large organization.
• Self-starter with ability to work effectively in a remote and/or distributed team environment.
• Ability to effectively manage third party consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite.

Nice to have

• Graduate degree in engineering EIT or PE qualifications
• NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification
• Substation/high voltage design experience
• Structural/civil/SCADA/Commissioning engineering design experience
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Experience in technologies such as wind, green hydrogen, hydroelectric, nuclear, or data centers

Equal Opportunity

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

E-Verify Notice

E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $94,000 and $112,625/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus.

The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.