Director, Thermal Engineering Development & EPC

Southwest Generation Valmont Facility; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Onward Energy is seeking a Director of Thermal Engineering and EPC Management to lead engineering design, procurement, and contract negotiations for multi-technology development projects. The role requires overseeing complex schedules, coordinating with environmental, safety, finance, legal and operations teams, and driving cost-effective EPC execution.

Based in a hybrid office environment, the director will manage partnerships with major suppliers and engineering firms, ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in engineering design and procurement for energy development projects.
• Strong EPC negotiation and contract management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and budgets.
• Knowledge of safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Experience with complex project scheduling and costing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee engineering planning, design and procurement phases of projects.
• Evaluate equipment and validate selections.
• Design plant electrical, structural, mechanical, and civil systems.
• Estimate project budgets and schedules.
• Develop permitting and siting criteria.
• Negotiate engineering, equipment supply, and EPC contracts.
• Manage independent engineering agreements.
• Identify and mitigate technical and commercial risks.
• Collaborate with environmental, safety, finance, legal, and operations teams.
• Oversight of project budgets and adherence to financial parameters.
• Stay informed on industry trends and regulatory changes.
• Communicate with major equipment suppliers and service providers.

Skills

Project management

Equipment evaluation

Electrical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Civil engineering design

Procurement

EPC negotiation

Risk management

Budget oversight

Regulatory awareness

Job description

Director, Thermal Engineering Development & EPC

Position Title: Director, Thermal Engineering and EPC Management

Reports To: VP, Development

Direct Reports: Yes Functional Unit: Business Development

FLSA Status: Exempt Position Type: Full-Time

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7 GW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our associates, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Based in Denver, New York and Charlotte, Onward Energy is a company where people and power are always on. We are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

The Director of Thermal Engineering and EPC Management is responsible for engineering design and procurement processes for Onward Energy’s development activities. This role is critical in ensuring that projects across multiple technologies, with primary focus on thermal, are designed to meet industry best practices, are properly structured commercially, and are executed efficiently, on time, and within budget. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in technical design, equipment procurement, EPC negotiation, project management and plant operations within the energy industry.

THE CHALLENGE

• Project Management : Oversee the engineering planning, design and procurement phases of projects, ensuring they are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the specified quality standards.
• Equipment evaluation, selection, and validation
• Plant electrical, structural, mechanical, and civil engineering design
• Plant costing and scheduling for development and construction
• Assisting with development of permitting and siting criteria
• Negotiating owners engineering service agreements, equipment supply and maintenance agreements and EPC agreements
• Negotiating and managing independent engineering agreements
• Evaluation of commercial risks associated with engineering/technical-based contracts
• Development of technical engineering documents
• Key Industry Relationships and Contact Negotiation: Expand existing company relationships focused on major equipment suppliers, EPC and engineering services companies. Negotiate engineering specific contracts and ensure compliance with terms, schedules, and specifications.
• Risk Management : Identify and mitigate risks associated with design engineering, procurement, and construction processes. Ensure that projects comply with all safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Collaboration : Collaborate closely with internal teams including environmental, safety, finance, legal, asset management, and operations and external consultants to coordinate and ensure alignment across all departments.
• Budget Oversight : Manage engineering and construction budgets. Ensure that projects are delivered within approved financial parameters.
• Regulatory and Industry Awareness : Stay informed of industry trends, key regulatory changes (tariffs, permitting, etc.) and technology advancements.
• Ability to manage complex projects efficiently and resolve issues effectively
• Proficiency in common engineering and project management software and tools
• A natural self-starter who is comfortable in a lean, collaborative team
• Exceptional work ethic with team first mentality

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to stand, walk, talk, hear, and close and distance vision capability
• Ability to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch
• Ability to climb over, through and move plant equipment as needed
• Ability to travel as needed to support the work – approximately 10%

THE TEAM

• The Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace the Company’s values of excellence, drive, collaboration and continuous learning
• At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions and proactively solve challenges

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position functions in a smoke and vape free professional office environment. The role routinely utilizes standard office equipment such as laptop computer, phone, and scanner/photocopier. The Company is a hybrid work environment; employees are expected to be in office three days a week.

Onward Energy total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package which includes market competitive compensation, health and life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

If you require accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability, please send an email to [e-mail] .

EEO STATEMENT :

Onward Energy is an Affinitive Action Employer, Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.