Senior Manager of BESS Engineering

OneEnergy Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Six weeks PTO per year

Volunteer Time Off

Medical coverage

401(k) matching retirement plan

Life insurance

Wellness incentives

Job summary

OneEnergy Inc in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Senior Manager of BESS Engineering to own and scale the battery energy storage engineering function, aligning with PV processes while building BESS capabilities. You will lead DG and utility-scale designs, coordinate with suppliers and contractors, and ensure safety and code compliance across projects.

You will guide a team of engineers and associates, driving equipment sizing, pricing, interconnection efforts, and design reviews, while collaborating

Qualifications

• Bachelors in electrical, mechanical, or a related engineering field.
• PE license or path to licensure.
• 6+ years in professional engineering, construction, or land development with battery energy storage focus.
• Experience taking multiple BESS projects through full construction and commissioning cycles.
• Experience selecting, sizing, and procuring BESS equipment across multiple OEMs and integrators.
• Strong familiarity with NEC 706, NESC, NFPA 855, UL 9540 / UL 9540A.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain BESS design standards, templates, and workflows.
• Lead DG and utility-scale BESS plant design and approve high/medium voltage packages.
• Lead design discussions with engineering teams and consultants.
• Own BESS CAPEX methodology and develop equipment cost estimates.
• Coordinate with Preconstruction to drive equipment selection and pricing.
• Manage relationships with BESS integrators, equipment providers, and contractors.
• Maintain safety standards and NFPA 855, NEC 706, UL 9540/9540A compliance.
• Lead BESS RFP responses and coordinate internal resources.
• Bridge Development, Preconstruction, Finance, and Engineering handoffs for equipment selection and quantities.
• Support community outreach, permitting, and strategic pipeline planning.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Leadership

RFP responses

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Education

Engineering degree (electrical or mechanical)

PE license or path to licensure

Job description

Senior Manager of BESS Engineering

OneEnergy Inc Chicago, Illinois, United States

About OneEnergy Renewables

OneEnergy’s mission is to make clean energy the #1 source of electricity for consumers and utilities. We develop solar energy and battery energy storage (BESS) projects across the United States in community solar, distributed generation, and large utility scale project segments.Our diverse project pipeline, multiple locations across the US, and unique multidisciplined team sets us apart.

We are a dynamic and innovative renewable energy industry company committed to excellence, collaboration, and driving positive change in our industry.

About the role

The Sr. BESS Manager, owns OneEnergy's battery energy storage engineering function and is accountable for standing it up as a repeatable, institutional capability. This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role for an engineer who has not only designed DG and utility‑scale BESS systems but has carried multiple BESS projects through full construction and commissioning cycles. The role mirrors and integrates with OER's established PV processes, tools, and standards; builds the BESS equivalents where they do not yet exist, and operates across Development, Preconstruction, Finance, and Engineering. Reporting to the VP of Engineering and directing future Associate Engineers, the position demands strong interdepartmental coordination, personal initiative, and the judgment to make sound decisions on equipment, cost, and layout designs.

What you'll do:

• Define and maintain BESS design standards, templates, and workflows (SLDs, layouts, equipment specifications) and keep them current with the team's latest PV standards.
• Establish and enforce a workflow for tracking BESS status, tiering, and prioritization across all company strategies.
• Lead DG and utility‑scale BESS plant design; review and approve high‑voltage substation, medium‑voltage collection, and BESS plant drawing packages at each design stage.
• Lead design and modeling discussions across the engineering team and outside consultants.
• Lead BESS CAPEX methodology: match each commercial opportunity to equipment sizing, guarantees, and warranties, and develop equipment and EPC cost estimates.
• Drive equipment selection and pricing through collaboration with the Preconstruction Team
• Own relationships with key BESS integrators, equipment providers, and contractors.
• Maintain safety standards and keep all documentation current with the latest NFPA 855, NEC (including Article 706, Energy Storage Systems), NESC, and UL 9540 / UL 9540A requirements.
• Lead BESS RFP responses, coordinating internal resources and vendor‑provided technical details and assumptions, and reusing and escalating prior material for fast turnarounds.
• Provide feedback on System Impact and Feasibility Studies as needed.
• Serve as the bridge across Development, Preconstruction, Finance, and Engineering, handing off finalized equipment selection and quantities to Engineering for SLDs and layouts.
• Act as an extension of the Development team on community outreach, permitting, and strategic pipeline planning.

Qualifications

• Degree in electrical, mechanical, or a related engineering field.
• PE license, or a clear and near‑term path to licensure.
• 6+ years in professional engineering, construction, or land development, with a substantial and recent portion focused on battery energy storage.
• Demonstrated experience taking multiple DG and/or utility‑scale BESS projects through full construction and commissioning cycles.
• Direct experience selecting, sizing, and procuring BESS equipment across multiple OEMs and integrators.
• Strong familiarity of NEC (including Article 706), NESC, NFPA 855, and UL 9540 / UL 9540A as applied to energy storage systems.
• Experience leading RFP responses and interconnection and permitting interactions with utilities and AHJs.
• Experience managing internal engineering resources and direct reports, with comfort switching between management and hands‑on design work.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with offtakers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency establishing equipment specifications to generate final submittals.
• Strong attention to detail, high integrity, and proven organizational capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A willingness to contribute to a culture that thrives on building trust and holding one another accountable.
• A “roll up your sleeves and let’s get the job done right” attitude, with demonstrated qualities of integrity, credibility, and professional responsibility.
• Ability to travel and access sites of varying terrain, and an acceptable driving record and active driver's license.

Compensation:

Salary range: $130,000-$200,000, depending on location and experience

OneEnergy’s compensation packages are dependent on an array of factors including, but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographic location, and other organizational needs. We provide generous Paid Time Off (six weeks/year) and an impactful Volunteer Time Off Program. We offer robust employee benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, 401(k) matching retirement plan, life insurance, wellness incentives, and more.

We recognize an equitable energy transition requires the participation of diverse communities, groups, and institutions. OneEnergy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or handicap, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.