Director of Engineering (Utility-Scale Solar & BESS)

Expert Executive Recruiters (EER Global); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Expert Executive Recruiters (EER Global) seeks a Director of Engineering in Arlington, VA to lead an engineering team supporting utility-scale solar, BESS, and related substations. This on-site role oversees design activities and coordinates with consultants and contractors to advance project development through commissioning.

You will set objectives, workflows, and operating procedures, ensure regulatory compliance including NERC standards, and provide technical leadership to Development, M&A,

Qualifications

• PE license and 8+ years in the energy sector.
• At least 5 years in utility-scale solar project engineering; BESS a plus.
• Experience in PJM and MISO markets is a plus.
• Background in civil and electrical design, substations, and SCADA systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary civil and electrical engineering team.
• Improve engineering design management processes.
• Forecast staffing for active projects and pipeline.
• Recruit project engineering personnel as needed.
• Provide senior technical authority for development and construction.
• Resolve complex technical issues with internal and external experts.
• Develop standardized, repeatable engineering designs.
• Coordinate with Operations Engineering, Development, Compliance, and Asset Management.
• Incorporate NERC standards and regulatory requirements into designs.
• Coordinate with lenders' engineers during design and construction.
• Perform periodic site visits.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering design management

Regulatory compliance

NERC standards

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

SCADA

Job description

This role is based in Arlington, VA. On-site presence is required.

About the Company

Join a leading independent power producer at the forefront of renewable energy development. With a growing portfolio of utility-scale solar projects across Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky, our client develops, constructs, owns, and operates renewable energy assets backed by a 7GW+ global pipeline and over 1GW already commissioned.

The Role

We are hiring a Director of Engineering who will be based at the Arlington, Virginia headquarters. This role leads and manages an engineering team supporting projects involving utility-scale solar facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and related generation tie lines and substations. It oversees engineering design activities, coordination with third-party consultants and contractors, and the delivery of technical support throughout project development, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

The engineering group manages civil and electrical design scopes, conducts design reviews to enhance system performance and reduce costs, and develops standardized, repeatable design solutions for future projects. The Director also provides technical leadership to internal teams including Development, M&A;, Construction, Operations Engineering, Compliance, and Asset Management, while establishing team objectives, workflows, and operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of civil and electrical engineers and technical specialists
• Continuously improve engineering design management processes
• Forecast staffing needs based on active projects and future pipeline, and assign resources to support development and construction activities
• Identify long‑term resource requirements and recruit project engineering personnel
• Act as a senior technical authority supporting development, M&A, and construction efforts, and manage external subject‑matter experts as required
• Review and resolve complex technical issues in collaboration with internal experts and external consultants
• Develop and implement efficient engineering workflows focused on standardization and repeatable designs
• Provide technical coordination with Operations Engineering, Development, Compliance, and Asset Management teams at various project stages
• Ensure regulatory and compliance requirements, including NERC standards, are incorporated into project designs
• Lead technical coordination with lenders' independent engineers during design and construction phases
• Periodic site visits as required

Education and Experience

• Professional Engineering License
• 8 years + of experience in the energy industry
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in utility-scale solar project engineering; BESS experience is a plus
• Experience working in PJM and MISO markets is a plus
• Background in civil and electrical design, medium‑voltage collection systems, high‑voltage substations, and SCADA for utility‑scale solar projects
• Experience supporting construction and commissioning activities
• Experience preparing or reviewing construction cost estimates for similar projects

Work Location, Remote Work, and Travel

• This position will be based in Arlington, VA. Travel may be required over time.