Project Development Engineer Solar BESS and Energy Systems

Zero Impact Energy Group; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Company parties

Dental insurance

Job summary

Zero Impact Solutions in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Project Development Engineer - Solar, BESS & Energy Systems to own the technical and financial development of commercial distributed energy projects from initial customer data through engineering handoff.

This role combines solar, battery energy storage, microgrid sizing, energy modeling, tariff analysis, dispatch optimization, and financial modeling, translating results into executable Solar + BESS + Microgrid solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Energy, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in Solar PV, BESS, microgrids or DER.
• Experience developing Solar + BESS projects from feasibility through handoff.
• Strong knowledge of utility tariffs, TOU/demand charges and BESS sizing/dispatch.

Responsibilities

• Own technical and financial development of Solar, BESS and microgrid projects through feasibility and handoff.
• Analyze load data, tariffs, TOU rates and demand charges for project savings.
• Develop PV + BESS dispatch models for peak shaving and self-consumption.
• Size PV and BESS systems based on site constraints and requirements.
• Develop EMS strategies for PV capture and dispatch.
• Create SLDs, interfaces, transformers and interconnection plans.
• Support interconnection, AHJ coordination and vendor reviews.
• Develop CAPEX/OPEX and financial models including NPV/IRR/sensitivity.
• Prepare feasibility studies, reports and investment materials.

Skills

Solar PV

BESS

Microgrids

Energy modeling

TOU analysis

Excel modeling

Python

MATLAB

Interconnection

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Energy/Mechanical Eng

Master’s preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

SLDs

ETAP/SKM

NEC/NFPA

PV Watts/PVsyst

Job description

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Company parties
• Dental insurance

WHO WE ARE:

We are an end-to-end Renewable Energy provider. We offer products to commercial and enterprise clients in EV Charging solutions, Fleet Electrification, Solar Micro-grids, Energy storage, Hydroponic farming and Rain Water/Grey Water collection systems. We have been experiencing tremendous growth in all these areas and operate under several government rebate programs that ensure a steady and reliable flow of revenues. Our company handles the entire flow of providing these products and services beginning with Sales, Provisioning, Design and Engineering, Contracting and Construction, Servicing and Maintenance. If you are passionate about the EV industry and working with awesome teams in a fast-growing company, we want to speak with you! Join us in making a meaningful impact!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Project Development Engineer - Solar, BESS & Energy Systems will independently own the technical and techno-economic development of commercial and enterprise distributed energy projects from initial customer data through engineering handoff and implementation support. This role combines electrical engineering, solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) sizing, 15-minute and hourly energy modeling, utility tariff and demand-charge analysis, dispatch optimization, project cost estimating, financial modeling, interconnection support, and client-facing technical development. The successful candidate must be capable of building, auditing, and defending end-to-end project models and translating results into executable Solar + BESS + Microgrid solutions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Own technical and financial development of Solar, BESS and microgrid projects from utility data and site requirements through feasibility and engineering handoff.
• Analyze 15-minute/hourly load data, utility tariffs, TOU rates, demand charges and project bill savings.
• Develop and validate PV + BESS dispatch models for peak shaving, energy shifting, self-consumption, resiliency and grid reduction.
• Size PV and BESS systems based on site constraints, load profile, SoC, DoD, efficiency, degradation, curtailment and operating requirements.
• Develop EMS strategies for demand management, PV capture, battery dispatch and backup reserve.
• Develop electrical concepts including SLDs, PCS/inverter interfaces, transformers, switchgear, breakers, protection, metering and interconnection.
• Perform or coordinate load studies, equipment sizing, short-circuit/AIC checks, grounding, protection coordination and code compliance.
• Support utility interconnection, AHJ coordination, EPC/OEM/vendor reviews and technical project execution.
• Develop CAPEX/OPEX estimates and financial models including savings, EaaS/PPA revenue, payback, NPV, IRR, XIRR, MOIC and sensitivity analysis.
• Prepare feasibility studies, sizing reports, proposals, executive summaries and investment decision materials.
• Support projects through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and performance verification.
• Audit engineering and financial models to ensure calculations, assumptions and project economics are accurate and defensible.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Energy, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in Solar PV, BESS, microgrids, DER, or renewable energy project development.
• Proven experience developing Solar + BESS projects from feasibility through engineering handoff.
• Strong knowledge of utility tariffs, TOU/demand charges, interval load analysis, and BESS sizing/dispatch optimization.
• Proficiency in Excel modeling and experience with PV Watts/PVsyst; Python or MATLAB preferred.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, SLDs, ETAP/SKM, utility interconnection, NEC/NFPA, and applicable PV/BESS standards.
• Experience with CAPEX/OPEX and financial analysis including NPV, IRR, payback, and sensitivity analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skills

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Zero Impact Solutions is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Job Type: Exempt

Pay:

$72,000- $80,000

Schedule:

8-hour shift Mondays - Fridays

Ability to commute/relocate:

Costa Mesa, CA 92626: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In-person (office) no hybrid or remote work