Manager or Sr. Manager, Development Engineering

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical and dental plan

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Avantus is seeking a Manager or Senior Manager of Development Engineering in California to lead a team responsible for pre-construction PV design, layout optimization, and cost-driven decisions across a portfolio of utility-scale solar projects with storage elements.

You will guide cross-functional teams through site constructability assessments, engineering studies, and design optimization, ensuring alignment with EPC and procurement.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing teams of engineers and designers.
• Engineering Degree, (Civil Engineering preferred).
• 5-10+ years of relevant experience in utility-scale solar.
• Commercially minded engineer who can see how design impacts bigger picture.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and self-review.

Responsibilities

• Deliver on mid- to late-stage projects and support growing pipeline.
• Provide guidance to cross-functional project teams on site constructability and design levers.
• Mentor and lead Development Engineering and Estimating teams within cross-functional groups.
• Guide cost/benefit assessments related to site conditions and design layouts from early stage through EPC design work.
• Collaborate with Optimization, Development, Permitting, EPC and Procurement teams to build out processes and efficiencies on optimization assessments.
• Participate in site visits and site assessments to understand impacts of site features and timing of studies.

Skills

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

PV design

Geotech knowledge

Hydro knowledge

Cost optimization

Site constructability

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Manager or Sr. Manager, Development Engineering

Avantus develops, owns and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest.

Key Responsibilities

• The Sr. Manager delivers on our current mid- to-late-stage projects and supports our growing pipeline. They provide guidance to cross-functional project teams on site constructability, engineering study impacts (Geotech, hydro) and key design levers. This person is a key contributor to projects through entire project lifecycle, both managing a team and further building out process and team efficiencies. The Sr. Manager works closely with Optimization Engineering teams to assess project cost-benefit (site, design, and technology) and works cross functionally, bridging development, engineering, procurement, and construction considerations.
• Manage and bridge Development Engineering and Estimating team within broader cross-functional teams
• Opine on constructability considerations and help drive cost/benefit assessment around site conditions and design layout (early stage through EPC design work)
• Provide guidance to bound risk/opportunities on design and cost with imperfect/limited information. Guide discussion on sensitivities linked to project stage and available project information as project progresses through development lifecycle
• Collaborate with Optimization, Development, Permitting, EPC and Procurement teams to further build out processes and efficiencies on optimization assessments
• Participate in site visits and site assessment (impacts of site conditions, needed and timing of engineering studies, cost or design impacts of site features, etc.).
• Support buildout of tools and automation processes on design, layout, costing with optimization team with strong feedback loop with Development and EPC teams
• Value Engineering support through EPC partnerships
• Ensure EPC view on constructability, country/regional impacts to design/cost are considered within all project stages
• Focus on forward looking and innovative approaches are considered for best in market design, technology, and cost/construction considerations
• Pre-construction PV design and costing
• Design Optimization for LCOE
• Understand how design and cost considerations impact project through the project life
• Collaborative and knowledgeable on cross-functional aspects of design (cost, EPC, development, development engineering, procurement, operations)
• PV+Storage project (design and commissioning)
• Creative view to help solves challenging projects and incorporate innovation
• Able to build out cross-functional processes and communication flow to support efficiencies in growing pipeline
• Ability to effectively communicate between technical and commercial minded team members
• Experience in PV design, constructability in California, and the desert Southwest

Requirements

• Experience in managing teams of engineers and designers
• Engineering Degree, (Civil Engineering preferred).
• 5-10+ years of relevant experience in utility scale solar.
• Commercially minded engineer who can dive into details but can see how design considerations impact bigger picture (doesn’t lose the forest in the trees).
• Ability to work on projects independently, with minimal supervision, and self-review work.
• Knowledge of site capacity analysis tools or other modeling tools required
• Ability to truly evaluate new technology or tools – layout and design considerations to modules, trackers, storage, land use, etc.
• Knowledge of geotechnical and hydro engineering and impacts to overall project.
• Ability to optimize a project design, finding ways to lower the cost of a project.
• Knowledge of cost drivers for project design
• #LI-Hybrid
• 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.