Development Engineer

Scale; Ridgewood (NJ); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) matching

Job summary

Scale is seeking a Development Engineer to provide engineering support for distributed energy and microgrid projects, based in Ridgewood, NJ with a hybrid work model. You will design DER systems, manage interfaces, and collaborate with BD, execution, and commercial teams to deliver technically sound and cost-effective solutions for client sites.

You will coordinate interconnections, review switchgear requirements, and help optimize performance and reliability across 34.5 kV to 480 V systems.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in the design and construction of power/generation/renewable energy projects.
• Thorough technical understanding of distributed energy technologies, including solar, battery, and reciprocating engines/turbines.
• Understanding of rotating power with reciprocating engines in the 200 kW to 2000 kW range per engine is preferred.
• Knowledge of onsite power generation, including parallel operation with the utility bus and with other DERs, in both grid-parallel and island mode operations.
• Solid understanding of the utility side of interconnection.
• Knowledge of DER power sources within the microgrid and how they interface with the utility for efficient system performance.
• Knowledge of emissions from the utility side and from each DER.
• Understanding of systems controls for the DERs and their use to achieve specific operating goals, providing economic return to the customer.
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• BS in Electrical Engineering required; focus on power preferred.
• PE in power or progressing toward that license preferred.
• Advanced coursework in power or a higher-level degree in the field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create electrical and physical designs for microgrid and DER systems, accounting for existing electrical infrastructure, AHJ requirements, and other site constraints.
• Utilize strong technical and communication skills to identify and communicate technical constraints and possibilities to internal and customer stakeholders.
• Work extensively with the Business Development (BD) teams to evaluate and develop the right technical solutions.
• Collaborate with BD, execution, and commercial teams on specific projects to ensure the Microgrid integration is technically sound, practical, and cost-effective, including working with existing service entrance one-line drawings or creating new ones for optimal design interface.
• Investigate interconnection requirements, including submitting interconnection applications and completing modifications to existing design concepts applicable to each site.
• Coordinate with switchgear manufacturers (e.g., Schneider Electric) to ensure switchgear designs meet project requirements, including site constraints and utility requirements, while staying within cost and schedule constraints across voltage levels from 34.5 kV to 480 V.
• Provide significant input to solar, battery, and generator designs to optimize performance, reliability, and sustainability for each customer site.
• Collaborate with the rest of the development engineering team and other internal stakeholders to continually improve templates and processes and enable continuous improvement.

Job description

We are looking for a Development Engineer to provide comprehensive engineering support for our distributed energy and microgrid projects. Our projects typically include managing a variety of DER and microgrid assets such as solar, energy storage, controls, and reciprocating engines.

This role will report to the Manager of Development Engineering and will be a hybrid role based out of Ridgewood, NJ, or the NYC office.

Key Responsibilities

• Create electrical and physical designs for microgrid and DER systems, accounting for existing electrical infrastructure, AHJ requirements, and other site constraints.
• Utilize strong technical and communication skills to identify and communicate technical constraints and possibilities to internal and customer stakeholders.
• Work extensively with the Business Development (BD) teams to evaluate and develop the right technical solutions.
• Collaborate with BD, execution, and commercial teams on specific projects to ensure the Microgrid integration is technically sound, practical, and cost‑effective, including working with existing service entrance one‑line drawings or creating new ones for optimal design interface.
• Investigate interconnection requirements, including submitting interconnection applications and completing modifications to existing design concepts applicable to each site.
• Coordinate with switchgear manufacturers (e.g., Schneider Electric) to ensure switchgear designs meet project requirements, including site constraints and utility requirements, while staying within cost and schedule constraints across voltage levels from 34.5 kV to 480 V.
• Provide significant input to solar, battery, and generator designs to optimize performance, reliability, and sustainability for each customer site.
• Collaborate with the rest of the development engineering team and other internal stakeholders to continually improve templates and processes and enable continuous improvement.

The Ideal Candidate

• 2+ years of experience in the design and construction of power/generation/renewable energy projects.
• Thorough technical understanding of distributed energy technologies, including a combination of solar, battery, and reciprocating engines/turbines.
• Understanding of rotating power with reciprocating engines in the 200 kW to 2000 kW range per engine is preferred.
• Knowledge of onsite power generation, including parallel operation with the utility bus and with other DERs, in both grid‑parallel and island mode operations.
• Solid understanding of the utility side of interconnection.
• Knowledge of DER power sources within the microgrid and how they interface with the utility for efficient system performance.
• Knowledge of emissions from the utility side and from each DER.
• Understanding of systems controls for the DERs and their use to achieve specific operating goals, providing economic return to the customer.
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying technical information to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• BS in Electrical Engineering required; focus on power preferred.
• PE in power or progressing toward that license preferred.
• Advanced coursework in power or a higher‑level degree in the field preferred.

We offer a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits program, including medical benefits, paid vacation and holidays, and 401(k) matching.

EEO Statement

Scale strives to attract and retain a workforce that reflects the composition of our customer base and communities. We are committed to providing a work environment that provides everyone with equal access and opportunity to contribute and drive meaningful outcomes. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and will consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.