Senior BESS Project Engineer

Ameresco; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ameresco is seeking a Senior BESS Project Engineer to lead behind-the-meter energy storage projects from design through commissioning. This fully remote role is based with a home office in the Phoenix, AZ area and supports both BTM and occasional FTM initiatives.

The role requires a PE or advanced electrical engineering background, 7+ years in BESS or related fields, and strong leadership across engineering and commissioning teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant experience in electrical design, controls engineering, protective relaying, or BESS project work.
• Demonstrated track record of independently leading BESS design, review, controls integration across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to travel up to 50% for site visits, testing, and commissioning support.

Responsibilities

• Review SLDs, control schematics, and BESS designs for accuracy, completeness, and code compliance.
• Direct subcontract engineers and controls integrators to ensure proper programming and configuration of relays and controllers.
• Provide senior oversight during field verification of installation and commissioning activities.
• Support testing, commissioning, and utility coordination to ensure project requirements are met.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to standards for BESS controls and monitoring design.

Skills

BESS design

Project leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Verbal/written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (or related)

Professional Engineer (PE) license (plus)

Tools

AutoCAD

SCADA

MS Office

Job description

Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. We are a trusted, full-service partner to public sector and government entities, K-12 schools, higher education, utilities, and healthcare customers across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe. At Ameresco, we show the way by developing, constructing and operating tailored smart energy efficiency solutions, distributed energy resources, and infrastructure upgrades that drive cost savings, resilience, decarbonization, and innovation. Our comprehensive portfolio is built to address the challenges of today and adapt the future, ensuring long-term sustainability and success for our customers.

Ameresco is seeking a Senior BESS Project Engineer to join our growing Renewable Energy team. This is a Senior level role for an experienced engineer who can independently lead complex Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects through design and development, and support integration and commissioning efforts, while serving as a technical resource and leader for the team. This is a remote position joining a partially remote team with home office based in the Phoenix, AZ area. This role is focused primarily on behind-the-meter (BTM) battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, serving as the technical owner of system integration and controls scope from design through commissioning. Knowledge of front-of-the-meter (FTM) projects is also beneficial. The Sr. BESS Project Engineer reviews single line diagrams (SLDs) and system designs for accuracy and constructability while working closely with subcontract engineers and internal Ameresco departments to ensure that data monitoring equipment, protective relays, controllers, and related equipment are correctly specified, designed into the system, programmed, and installed per plan.

The role then supports construction and commissioning resources in the field through utility and project-required testing to confirm proper system functionality prior to energization and handoff to operations. While the primary focus is BTM projects, this role is expected to be available to consult with front-of-meter (FTM) project teams and subject matter experts as needed.

Design Review & System Integration

Review single line diagrams (SLDs), control schematics, and BESS system designs prepared by subcontract engineers and vendors across multiple concurrent projects, with final approval authority on accuracy, completeness, and compliance with project and utility requirements. Direct or personally confirm that data monitoring equipment, protective relays, controllers, meters, and communication/networking equipment are properly specified and designed into the system architecture; review and validate work product from self, subcontract engineer, and junior engineers. Serve as primary point of coordination with internal Ameresco departments (engineering, procurement, construction, and operations) to align equipment selection and system architecture with project requirements and company standards. Lead review of vendor and subcontract engineer submittals, control narratives, and points lists for BESS controllers, PCS, EMS/BMS, and site controllers. Identify and resolve complex design gaps, conflicts, or constructability issues between electrical, controls, and monitoring scopes prior to installation, escalating and driving resolution across teams.

Controls Programming & Installation Oversight

Direct subcontract engineers and controls integrators to ensure relays, controllers, and monitoring equipment are programmed in accordance with approved design intent and sequence of operations. Verify that programming and configuration of protective relays, site controllers, and data monitoring platforms reflect final as-built system design. Provide Senior Oversight of and support field verification that equipment is installed per plan, including panel wiring, CT/PT installation, communication architecture, and device configuration across multiple concurrent projects. Drive resolution of open items related to controls, relay settings, and monitoring equipment through construction completion, escalating and identifying risks as needed.

Testing, Commissioning & Utility Coordination

Support construction and commissioning resources in preparing for and executing utility-required acceptance testing, protection relay testing, and interconnection commissioning. Oversee and support project-required functional testing of the BESS, including controls sequence testing, communications verification, and data monitoring validation. Troubleshoot system functionality issues identified during testing and commissioning, coordinating resolution with subcontract engineers, vendors, and internal teams. Review commissioning documentation and test reports to confirm system functionality meets utility, interconnection agreement, and project requirements. Support punch list resolution related to controls, relays, and monitoring equipment through final acceptance and handoff to operations.

Cross-Functional & FTM Consultation

Serve as a technical resource to Project Management and Construction teams on BESS controls, protection, and monitoring scope throughout the project lifecycle across a portfolio of projects. Serve as technical resource and maintain expert level working knowledge of BESS equipment manufacturers, controls platforms, and protective relay schemes relevant to BTM applications. Consult with front-of-meter (FTM) project engineering teams and subject matter experts as needed to support larger-scale or utility-interconnected BESS projects. Document lessons learned and support development of internal standards for BESS controls and monitoring design review.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

Mentor and provide technical guidance to entry and mid-level BESS Project Engineers, reviewing work product and supporting professional development. Establish and document best practices, workflows, and technical standards for BESS design review, controls programming, and commissioning. Assist in onboarding new team members and building team capability in new BESS platforms, controls architectures, and testing methodologies. Contribute to continuous improvement of design review checklists, controls narratives, and commissioning templates. Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant experience in electrical design, controls engineering, protective relaying, or battery energy storage system (BESS) project work.
• Demonstrated track record of independently leading BESS design, review, controls integration, across multiple different concurrent projects.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time for site visits, testing, and commissioning support.

Additional Qualifications

• Working knowledge of protective relays, controllers, and data monitoring/SCADA equipment used in BESS or substation applications.
• Familiarity with utility and project commissioning and testing requirements for distributed energy resources.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and coordinating cross-functional and subcontract engineering teams.
• Experience with BESS platforms and equipment from major manufacturers (e.g., Tesla, Fluence, SMA, and similar).
• Experience programming or configuring protective relays (e.g., SEL, GE) and site/plant controllers.
• Experience with installation and commissioning of BESS and microgrid systems a plus.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license considered a plus.
• Familiarity with SCADA, EMS/BMS platforms, and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850).
• Experience supporting utility interconnection testing, relay testing, and commissioning activities.
• Exposure to front-of-meter (FTM), utility-scale, or substation-interconnected BESS projects a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to coordinate effectively across subcontract engineers, vendors, and internal departments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with AutoCAD or similar drawing review tools a plus.

#LI-SMC

Ameresco challenges the brightest, most talented, and creative individuals in the industry by providing an environment that fosters initiative and achievement. We are proud of our comprehensive and competitive employee benefits, including people-oriented insurance, investment, and incentive plans. All official communications from Ameresco will originate from an @ameresco.com email address. Any correspondence from other domains should be regarded as fraudulent. Please report any suspicious activity to the platform where the issue was encountered. For further inquiries or concerns, please contact us at 1-866-AMERESCO Ameresco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Energy careers at Ameresco bring employees to the forefront of new energy technology with the backing of an experienced team of energy efficiency and renewable energy engineers and professionals. Ameresco is a recognized leader throughout North America and United Kingdom, delivering comprehensive renewable energy and energy efficiency services to public and private enterprises. "Its inspiring to work on projects that are shaping the future of energy use and to be part of a team that has tremendous experience in renewable energy systems." - Ameresco Employee