Principal BESS Engineer

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Clearway is seeking a Principal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Engineer to lead preliminary engineering, fire safety engineering, specifications, and procurement support for stand-alone, hybrid, and co-located BESS facilities. The role involves collaboration with project teams, vendors, and consultants to optimize design and operation across multiple sites.

The hybrid role will be based in one of several office locations (Scottsdale, AZ; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Houston, TX;

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in BESS engineering, integration, development, and commissioning for utility-scale BESS projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop BESS system design requirements from project requirements (PPA, IA, etc.).
• Refine EPC contracts and requirements for BESS, focusing on obligations and responsibility split.
• Provide technical SME support to project teams across development, design, construction and commissioning.
• Develop tooling for BESS sizing, auxiliary loads, and augmentation.

Skills

BESS engineering

Technical writing

Electrical standards

Controls protocols

EMS/BMS/SCADA

Python

MS Excel

NFPA standards

Tools

Modbus/TCP

Power Plant Controller

Job description

Clearway will not sponsor non-immigrant visas for this position (H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.).

Key Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Sr. Manager of BESS Engineering, the Principal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Engineer (or Battery Energy Storage System Manager) is responsible for preliminary engineering, fire safety engineering, technical specifications, system optimization, and procurement support for stand-alone, hybrid, and co-located BESS facilities. The Principal BESS Engineer will help deliver optimized stand-alone, hybrid, and co-located BESS facilities. The Principal BESS Engineer / BESS Engineering Manager will work with project teams, external engineering teams, vendors, third parties, and consultants to drive our class-leading, multi-gigawatt, and globally competitive project pipeline to fruition.
• This hybrid role will be located in one of our office locations in Scottsdale, AZ, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Houston, TX, or Denver, CO. Scottsdale is the preferred location.
• BESS Platform Development Update and refine EPC contractual agreements and requirements for BESS, with a focus on EPC obligations and the division of responsibilities. Evaluate, track, and optimize BESS design to conform to the latest in safety, technology, regulatory, and compliance standards. Quality control BESS engineering, design, product validation, EPC touchpoints, and division of responsibilities. Provide BESS subject matter expertise to project teams through origination, development, design, construction, and commissioning. Develop consensus on optimal BESS design and operational strategies with Clearway’s Development, Construction, and Operations organizations given a complex technical, economic, and regulatory environment. Serve as the key technical point of contact with customers and build strategic relationships with energy storage equipment and service suppliers. Develop and maintain tools optimizing BESS sizing, auxiliary loads, and augmentation.
• BESS Development Engineering Generate BESS system design requirements from project requirements originating in PPA, IA, and other applicable agreements. Assess a range of BESS system designs based on project-specific constraints and propose optimal solutions based on technical and commercial considerations. Establish hardware and software control requirements for market applications, including utility and ISO compliance requirements. Review and negotiate the technical requirements and performance guarantees in offtake agreements. Develop BESS CapEx, auxiliary load, and augmentation assumptions relevant for financial modeling and underwriting.
• BESS Project Engineering & Strategic Procurement Support Technically qualify new vendors and products in internal due diligence processes. Maintain and update technical specifications used in supply contracts. Support Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) teams during the request for quote phase of projects in development. Support technical coordination, RFIs, and DOR between BESS supplier and EPC contractor. Support permitting and fire safety compliance requirements. Support project team with design review process, construction coordination, and commissioning of BESS facilities. Coordinate closed-loop learning of best practices and process improvement given lessons learned.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in BESS engineering, integration, development, and commissioning for utility-scale BESS projects.
• Experience in writing technical specifications, performance requirements, and technical reports. Ability to effectively write and verbally communicate technical information.
• Knowledge of electrical standards (UL/IEEE), Fire safety codes and standards, National Electrical Code, and interconnection standards.
• Familiarity with technical communications protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus/TCP, etc.) and a variety of controls software/hardware platforms.
• Familiarity or experience with energy market applications and telemetry requirements.
• Knowledge of Power Plant Controller, Energy Management Systems (EMS), Battery Management Systems (BMS), and utility communication systems, including SCADA.
• Basic software programming skills, especially MS Excel and Python.
• Familiarity with energy storage product safety standards, tests, and certifications such as NFPA codes and standards (855, 72, 68, 69), UL1973 and UL9540/A.
• Proficiency in working on a small team in a fast-paced environment and ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of utility equipment specifications.