Engineer, Optimization Engineering

Avantus; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical and dental plan

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Avantus is seeking an Optimization Engineer to support early-stage development through financing diligence for solar+storage projects. You will quantify design trade-offs, model production, and lead cross-functional optimization to reduce LCOE while informing EPC and PPA negotiations.

In this hybrid San Diego role, you will analyze meteorological data, land use, and equipment scenarios, collaborating with design, production, and finance teams to maximize project value.

Qualifications

• Strong PV production modeling experience using PVsyst, SAM, or pvlib.
• Basic energy storage modeling experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of solar and storage tech and components.
• Commercially minded engineer focused on optimizing for LCOE.
• Ability to quantify risk and opportunities around unknowns in design/tech.
• Basic understanding of the full solar development process.
• Basic understanding of renewable project finance.
• Understanding of typical Solar and Storage PPAs and market structures.
• Thrive in a cross-functional environment and guide discussions across design, production, cost, and land use.
• Data analysis experience in Excel; familiarity with Python is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assesses early-stage design trade-offs for site-specific guidance (DC/AC loading, land cost, COD year).
• Identifies site conditions (meteorology, soiling, shading) affecting design and production.
• Leads P50/P90/P99 and hedge-type production assessments.
• Leads cross-functional design optimization to minimize LCOE.
• Reviews PPA requirements to guide negotiations and mitigate risks.
• Identifies production and design levers to maximize project profitability.
• Leads technical bid preparation and ensures deliverables meet bid requirements.
• Helps assess PV+Storage design and dispatch optimization for off-taker needs.
• Diligences new technology with suppliers, EPCs, and IEs to assess bankability and impacts.
• Advances LCOE initiatives on design configuration, land use, and equipment.
• Presents results to project stakeholders.

Skills

PV modeling

Energy storage modeling

Solar tech knowledge

LCOE optimization

Risk quantification

Solar development

Project finance basics

PPAs & markets

Cross-functional

Excel data analysis

Optimization engineering

Renewable energy experience

Education

Bachelor of Science in STEM

Job description

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus develops, owns and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. Our development pipeline of solar with integrated storage will generate enough dispatchable power to serve more than 10 million Americans, day and night. Backed by strategic investment from KKR and EIG, and building on more than a decade of industry leadership, Avantus is growing its position as an independent power producer, delivering affordable, reliable clean energy solutions to meet America’s growing energy demand.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Optimization Engineer will demonstrate industry knowledge, superior communication skills, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This is seen as critical role to support projects from early-stage development through mid- and late-stage offtaker and financing diligence. The person in this role would support production, design, and cost optimization throughout the full development process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospecting/Siting:

• Assessearly-stagedesign trade-offs for site specific and regional guidance(considering factors such as DC/AC loading, GCR, equipment, land cost, expected COD year,etc.)

PPAbid/Competitiveness:

• Identifyand model site specific conditions such as meteorological data, soiling, shading and other onsite conditions that mayimpactdesign andproduction
• P50, P90, P99 and hedge type production assessments
• Lead cross functional design optimization efforts targeted atthelowestLCOE
• Review technical requirements of PPA to guide negotiation and projectrisks
• Identifyproduction and designleversto quantify risk and opportunities on project development andprofitability
• Lead technical bid preparation and ensure team deliverables meet bidrequirements
• Help assess PV+S design and dispatch optimization that meets off-takerneeds

Project Optimization Efforts:

• Diligencenew technologywith suppliers,EPCand IEs to understand bankability,performanceand designimpacts
• Work on LCOE initiatives around design configuration, landutilization,andequipment
• Present results of project design and cost optimization efforts to projectstakeholders

EPC RFP and Value Engineering:

• Present key project specifications to EPC partners for detailed design process
• Guide and collaborate withthecontractor to find site and EPC specific optimizeddesign
• Review and negotiatetechnical exhibits such as capacity testing and technicalcommissioning (withthesupport of OEs)
• Support commissioning and performance testing activities by reviewing data from EPCs and coordinating withIEs

Technical DiligenceThroughProjectFinancing:

• Technicaland performance supportthroughIE diligence and project financing
• Lead production reviewsandcoordinateon design,equipmentand productiontopicsto maximize projectvaluation

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• StrongPVproductionmodeling experience (PVsyst, SAM, and/orpvlib, etc.)
• Basic energy storage modeling experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of Solar and Storage technology and components
• Commercially minded engineer focused onoptimization forLCOE
• Ability to quantify risk and opportunities around unknowns in design andtechnology
• Basic understanding of the full solar development process
• Basic understanding of renewable project finance process
• Understanding of typical Solar and Storage PPA and market structures
• Thrive in a cross-functional environment, able to guide discussion andidentifydependencies between design, production, cost, land use,LCOE
• Data analysis experience inExcel (familiarity withpythona plus)
• Bachelor of Science in STEM
• 3+years’ experience inproject oroptimization engineering
• 3+years’ experience with renewable energy and solar development

Avantus offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package, including 401(k) matching; comprehensive medical and dental plan options; and flexible PTO. We are an equal-opportunity employer. The base salary range for this full-time position is listed below (plus bonus and benefits). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the applicable location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus and benefits.

$113,815 — $133,900 USD

in (Hybrid) San Diego, CA, USA.