Project Engineer (Substation, Interconnection, Battery Energy Storage Systems)

Soltage; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the renewable energy sector is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to oversee the design and interconnection of utility-scale energy storage and solar projects. The role requires a strong engineering background and includes responsibilities in managing project designs, interconnection processes, and team collaboration. This is an integral position in expanding the company’s project pipeline across various markets in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical Engineering preferred).
• 5+ years of interconnection and electrical engineering design experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for high level system design including interconnection design activities.
• Manage design and interconnection of energy storage and solar-plus-storage projects.
• Evaluate interconnection costs and manage utility relationships.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Overview:
Soltage is a leader in the development, financing, and operation of distributed utility-scale solar, storage and solar + storage assets for commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers across the United States. Soltage has developed more than 125 solar energy projects, with more than 600 MW total distributed generating capacity in operation or under construction and invested over $1.5 Billion to date into the US clean energy sector.

Position Expectations:
Soltage is looking for an experienced renewable energy engineer with a strong proven background in utility interconnection processes for small to medium size utility scale DER projects, standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS), and photovoltaic plus energy storage systems (PV+BESS) to take the role of Project Engineer (Substation, Interconnection and Battery Energy Storage Systems). The Project Engineer will be responsible for high level system design including interconnection design activities as well as facilitating detailed RFP responses. This role reports to the Vice President of Engineering and will be integral to building Soltage’s pipeline of standalone energy storage and solar-plus-storage projects.

Specific Job Functions:
The Project Engineer will be instrumental in helping to manage the design and interconnection of Soltage’s existing portfolio and to expand Soltage’s storage footprint in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast urban centers as well as other markets in the US.

The work will include efforts in the following activity areas:

• Utility substation integration and design.
• Engineer and design (high level) energy storage systems and/or hybrid storage plus solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, aspects of which will include:
• Conceptual Single Line Diagrams:
  • IFP (30%) and IFC (90%) design reviews and assistance with external Engineering partners.
  • Plant layouts accounting for site limitations.
  • Selecting appropriate system hardware through collaborative coordination with required equipment vendors.
  • System optimization.
  • Determining power generation and interconnection requirements for projects.
  • System CAPEX calculation and optimization.
  • Project schedule creation, Level 1 (Preliminary), and Level 2 (Detailed Task).
• Apply standard engineering design principles and methodology for research of design options and experimentation to determine potential design feasibility of energy storage systems and/or storage plus solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across a variety of BESS vendor options.
• Support the development team with engineering progress designs through the local AHJ Permitting stages.
• Assist with Engineering RFP compilation, management, and awarding engineering service agreements.
• Evaluate interconnection and gen-tie alternatives; participate in processes to optimize project interconnection options based on cost, schedule, offtake preference and risk.
• Assess potential interconnection costs to support siting of new development projects.
• Manage the utility relationship throughout the interconnection process and ensure timely delivery of interconnection agreements.
• Evaluate and work closely with external team members to support siting, permitting and engineering aspects for new development projects.
• Engage and manage external consultants for detailed designs, applications, and studies.
• Be the primary point of contact for all utility and technical communications.
• Facilitate detailed technical responses in support of RFP’s and develop EPC work scopes.
• Travel as needed to various potential project sites throughout North America to evaluate existing equipment.

Experience and Education Requirements:

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical Engineering preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of interconnections, utility medium voltage equipment, energy storage equipment & system design, project development and related electrical engineering design.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and be a team player with strong interpersonal skills. The candidate must be able to successfully interface with all employee levels including company executives and board members. Additionally, he or she will have strong consultant management / negotiation skills.
• Creative, proactive, problem-solving is a necessity.
• Must be self-motivated with an ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines without supervision.
• Exemplary organizational skills and process orientation skills - ability to coordinate and prioritize numerous important tasks, as well as proactively identify and address potential issues in a fast-paced work environment.
• Working knowledge of Project Management and Project Engineering Principles.
• Familiarity of electrical construction techniques, installation practices and plant start-up, commissioning, and SCADA control requirements.
• Working knowledge of code including NEC, NESC, NFPA, IEEE substation design guides, NYC / FDNY, and Con Edison interconnection standards.
• Familiarity with medium and low voltage electrical systems and components, particularly in a dense urban site with metal clad switchgear.
• Working knowledge and ability to read electrical design, construction drawings and specifications.
• Experience with writing proposals, drafting and reviewing engineering services agreements (ESA’s), launching and managing RFP process for ESA’s.
• Experience managing project timelines and comfortable presenting to, and interacting with consultants, authorities with jurisdiction, and regulatory agencies.
• High level of proficiency in the use of computer applications including proficiency in the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook).
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, PVCASE, PVSYST, Helioscope, SAM PV production modeling software and preferably ETAP, SKM, CYME to model electrical power systems.

Location: This position will be staffed out of Soltage’s headquarters in Jersey City, NJ.

To apply, send your resume to [e-mail] with the subject line “Engineer”.

Soltage is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of discrimination.