Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering Lead

WSP in the U.S.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 98,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA, a leading engineering firm, seeks a Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering Lead for our Buffalo, NY office with consideration for NY, IL, CO, and TX locations. The role involves guiding due diligence, design, permitting, and construction of distributed generation renewable energy projects across multiple sites.

The candidate will provide senior technical leadership, develop electrical models, and oversee team performance from concept through construction, ensuring safety and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience as an electrical engineer on renewable energy projects.
• Professional Engineer license or obtainable within 1 year.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, design, and permitting.
• Experience with interconnection design and protection/controls.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, PVcase/PVFarm, Cymcap, ETAP, WinGIS, SEL acSELerator.

Responsibilities

• Lead design reviews and ensure code-compliant electrical infrastructure.
• Coordinate electrical plans for multi-site projects and permits.
• Develop and review plans, specs, and cost estimates.
• Oversee cross-functional teams and manage budgets, hours, and resources.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for stakeholders.

Skills

Electrical engineering principles

Interconnection design

QA/QC

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

PVcase/PVFarm

Cymcap

ETAP

WinGIS

SEL acSELerator

Job description

Job Description

WSP is seeking a Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering Lead for our Buffalo, NY office. The following locations will also be considered: New York NY, Chicago IL, Boulder, CO and Austin, TX. This opportunity involves being part of our vastly experienced and knowledgeable Onshore Renewable Energy team in the US.

This Opportunity

Provides wide-ranging technical and team leadership skills, design, engineering, and guidance for multi-site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of commercial and industrial sector distributed generation (small-) scale renewable energy projects (solar PV, BESS, PV+BESS) in the public and private sector. Tasks include research, design, concept development, planning/permitting, and detailed design of direct-current (DC) systems, low and medium-voltage alternating-current (LV/MVac) systems. as well as protection and control systems in a variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects). Develops and oversees electrical models, reviews calculations and reports for detailed electrical design of a wide range of project sizes from commercial to distributed generation scale renewable energy projects. Substantiates reports, calculations, drawings, and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Provide ownership and guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to small-scale renewable energy project electrical system components, equipment specifications, concept/detailed/permit and construction design and review processes, and NFPA (NEC)/IEEE/NESC Standards for design work.
• Coordinate, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller and complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Apply industry-accepted electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of single line, three-line schematic diagrams, general arrangement, schematics, cable schedules, cable ampacity, grounding, lighting circuits (where required) and controls, facility and electrical service, and power distribution in conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
• Plan and incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design requirements with equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC systems and panel design, and conduit and trenching design strategies to account for the safety and functionality of end-users, systems, and infrastructure.
• Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuit study, protective device coordination, one-line/three-line schematic diagram development, protective relaying, and circuit containment and trenching layouts.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, and cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and updating electrical layout and collection plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of electrical infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation, reconstruction and site development.Coordination with associated disciplines with regard to grading, drainage, equipment layout, elevations, specifications, building materials, phasing, and construction safety plans.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, concepts, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Maintain a high level of quality and responsiveness to client requirements in alignment with Pickett’s standards.
• Provide guidance, training and support to entry-level engineers related to electrical design, calculations and system studies.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques, standards, and best industry practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7 + years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for projects in renewable energy at a distribution, utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Possess Professional Engineer license or obtainable within 1 year.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Extensive knowledge of electrical interconnection design.
• Able to perform electrical site audits of equipment, systems and utility interconnections.
• Exposure and familiarity with principles of renewable energy system design
• Demonstrates competence and comprehensive knowledge concerning adjacent disciplines such as protection & controls (P&C), DAS and/or SCADA, and data/telecommunications.
• Experience with electrical infrastructure planning, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.
• Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of electrical engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to less experienced team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (e.g. AutoCAD, PVcase/PVFarm, Cymcap, ETAP, WinGIS, SEL acSELerator. etc.) technology innovations, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Contribute to project planning through resource assessments and budgeting.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work to schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experience managing large portfolios of projects with multiple engineers working in concert.
• Experience in design of microgrids and utility-scale projects.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $ 98,300-$175,230

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started? WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.