Project Development Engineer

Dashiell; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid life insurance

Medical coverage through PPO plans

401(k) plan with immediate vesting

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Job summary

Dashiell is seeking a Project Development Engineer to bridge technical and commercial needs for EPC proposals in the Houston area. The role collaborates with Sales, Engineering, Construction, and Pre-Construction to shape executable solutions for HV/MV projects, including BESS and transmission work.

The position is onsite with 20–30% travel; you will support opportunity development, cost estimates, and customer communications while coordinating across multiple internal teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Plan to acquire a PE License preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in the power industry, preferably HV/MV substation or BESS projects.
• Understanding of substation systems, protection & controls, and field constructability is preferred.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and one-line diagrams; able to support cost estimates and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Qualify opportunities for HV/MV substations, T-Line, and BESS projects; define technical scope and requirements.
• Review RFQs, specs, and standards to identify key requirements and risks.
• Develop preliminary technical concepts (one-line diagrams, high-level layouts) with engineering and construction teams.
• Prepare budgetary estimates and support EPC proposals with scope descriptions and assumptions.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, construction, pre-construction, procurement, and field services to ensure aligned proposals.
• Support preparation of technical and commercial proposal documents and customer-facing materials.
• Participate in customer meetings and clarify technical topics as the engineering point of contact.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Documentation and budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

PE License in progress

Tools

CAD/BIM viewers

Spreadsheets

Document management systems

Job description

Dashiell, an operating unit of Quanta Services (trading as PWR), is a leading national provider of technical and construction services supporting critical electric infrastructure. We serve electric utilities, power generation, industrial, renewable, and energy markets with integrated capabilities spanning planning and system studies, engineering and design, maintenance and testing, program management, construction, and turnkey EPC delivery.

With more than 60 years of experience executing large, complex projects, Dashiell specializes in medium- and high-voltage electrical infrastructure and delivers safe, reliable solutions across the full project lifecycle. Backed by the scale, resources, and safety culture of Quanta Services, Dashiell partners with clients to build and maintain the infrastructure that powers communities and economies. Learn more at www.dashiell.com.

Primary Function

The Project Development Engineer works closely with the sales organization, acting as the technical and commercial bridge between Dashiell’s customers and our internal engineering, construction, and pre-construction teams. This position supports the Accounts & Business Development team throughout the opportunity lifecycle and helps shape well-defined, executable EPC solutions. This is an onsite role with approximately 20–30% travel. The position will be based in our Houston, TX office located at 12301 Kurland Drive, Houston, TX 77034 and will report to Dashiell’s Accounts & Business Development leadership.

Duties & Responsibilities

Employee may be called upon to perform any or all of the following functions:

• Partner with the Accounts & Business Development team to qualify opportunities for HV/MV substations, T-Line, and BESS projects, and help define the technical scope and project requirements.
• Review RFQs, technical specifications, and customer standards to identify key requirements, risks, and clarifications needed before proposal development.
• Develop preliminary technical concepts (e.g., one-line diagrams, high-level layouts, conceptual designs) in collaboration with engineering and construction teams.
• Prepare budgetary estimates and support the development of detailed EPC proposals, including scope descriptions, assumptions, exclusions, and technical attachments.
• Coordinate internal inputs from engineering, construction, pre-construction, procurement, and field services to ensure proposals are aligned, consistent, and executable.
• Support the preparation of technical and commercial proposal documents, presentations, and other customer-facing materials.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical discussions, and clarification calls as the engineering point of contact, working alongside the leadership group.
• Track and follow up on open technical items, RFIs, and data requests to keep opportunities moving through the development process.
• Maintain and update standard proposal content, templates, and reference materials to improve consistency and efficiency in project development.
• Contribute to opportunity reviews, bid/no-bid recommendations, and handoff meetings when projects transition from development into execution.
• Support contract discussions with customers as needed, working alongside the leadership group.
• Perform special projects and complete other duties as assigned or requested.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Support revenue growth by helping turn customer needs and RFQs into clear, well-defined, and deliverable EPC proposals.
• Improve proposal quality by ensuring technical scope, constructability, and commercial terms are aligned and clearly articulated in customer-facing documents.
• Enhance responsiveness to customers by helping streamline the project development process and coordinating timely internal input.
• Strengthen customer relationships by serving as a reliable, technically competent resource during discussions, meetings, and clarification cycles.
• Reduce execution risk by identifying technical and commercial gaps early in the development phase and coordinating internal alignment on solutions.
• Help build a collaborative, accountable culture between Sales, Engineering, Pre-Construction, Construction, and Field Services focused on delivering successful projects.

Minimum Qualifications / Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Plan to acquire a PE License preferred.

Industry Experience (Preferred)

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in the power industry, preferably in HV/MV substation, transmission, or BESS projects (utility, IPP, industrial, or similar).
• Familiarity with EPC project delivery and typical project phases from early development through execution.
• Understanding of substation systems (primary and secondary), protection & controls, and field constructability considerations is strongly preferred.

Technical & Digital Skills (Preferred)

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and construction documents.
• Experience supporting cost estimates or proposals for power projects (materials, equipment, labor, and indirects).
• Comfort working with common engineering and office software tools (e.g., CAD/BIM viewers, spreadsheets, and document management systems).
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate project requirements, support pricing decisions, and compare technical options.

Commercial & Customer-Facing Acumen (Preferred)

• Experience reviewing RFQs, technical specifications, and commercial terms to identify key scope elements, risks, and clarifications.
• Ability to support the Accounts & Business Development team in preparing and delivering proposals, presentations, and customer responses.
• Comfortable participating in customer meetings, discussing technical topics, and representing the company’s capabilities professionally.

Collaboration & Communication (Preferred)

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Engineering, Construction, Pre-Construction, Procurement, and Field Services.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear, concise information for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on shared outcomes and maintaining strong working relationships.

Execution & Mindset (Preferred)

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to support multiple concurrent opportunities and deadlines.
• Attention to detail and a disciplined approach to documentation, follow-up, and closure of open items.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in refining tools, templates, and processes used in project development.
• Team-oriented, proactive, and accountable, with a focus on delivering high-quality work and supporting successful projects.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods during office-based work.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during field visits.
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain, gravel, and graded surfaces.
• Ability to navigate active construction environments including stairs, ramps, and temporary walkways.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, FR clothing, and hearing protection.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required.

Environmental Conditions

• Combination of climate-controlled office work and outdoor construction environments.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, wind, and rain.
• Exposure to noise, dust, and industrial conditions during site visits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dashiell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Dashiell offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

• company-paid life insurance
• accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• long-term disability insurance
• an employee assistance program
• medical coverage through a traditional PPO
• medical coverage through one of two high-deductible health plans (with FSA or HSA options)
• dental coverage
• vision coverage
• supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• critical illness insurance
• group accident insurance
• hospital indemnity insurance
• a 401(k) plan with immediate vesting
• among others.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without current or future visa sponsorship.