Senior Project Engineer – Renewable Energy

Suna Solutions; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Suna Solutions in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Project Engineer – Renewable Energy to lead technical coordination for utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects across North America. This hybrid role emphasizes interconnection, development, and 10% conceptual through IFC design stages.

You will collaborate with Development, Engineering, Construction, Permitting, Interconnection, Procurement, Estimating, and Project Management teams, driving design quality, meeting regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering preferred; Civil or Mechanical degrees will also be considered.
• 7+ years of renewable energy project experience.
• Experience with PV, storage, and/or wind technologies.
• 2+ years in a Project Engineer role.
• Familiarity with codes, standards, and engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate preliminary collection system, substation, transmission, electrical, and civil design activities.
• Facilitate preliminary engineering studies including geotechnical, LiDAR, hydrology, and electrical analyses.
• Coordinate design reviews with SMEs and EPC contractors.
• Support EPC design execution and transition from development to construction.
• Review SOVs, RFIs, and 30%, 60%, 90%, and IFC design packages.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Project coordination

Multitasking

Self-starter

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Civil or Mechanical degrees considered

Tools

AutoCAD

ETAP

PVSyst

PVcase

System Advisor Model (SAM)

Job description

Senior Project Engineer – Renewable Energy

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Location: San Diego, California (Hybrid)

Compensation: $140,000–$160,000 annually ; 25% bonus opportunity

Position Summary

The Senior Project Engineer will lead and oversee the technical coordination and engineering of utility-scale renewable energy projects from development through construction. The portfolio includes solar PV, wind, and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across North America.

This role will primarily support interconnection and project development, preliminary engineering analysis, and management of project designs from the 10% conceptual stage through Issued for Construction (IFC). The position will work closely with Development, Engineering, Construction, Permitting, Interconnection, Procurement, Estimating, and Project Management teams.

Key Responsibilities

Development Engineering Support

• Lead and coordinate preliminary collection system, substation, transmission, electrical, and civil design activities and establish design bases for assigned projects.
• Facilitate preliminary engineering activities, including geotechnical, LiDAR, hydrology, and electrical studies.
• Participate in project reviews led by the Phase Leader for project development and implementation.
• Attend weekly and monthly project review meetings as required.
• Serve as the technical lead and interface with Development, Permitting, Interconnection, Estimating, Procurement, Resource Assessment, and Project Management teams.
• Manage external third-party engineering consultants and coordinate engineering activities throughout project development.
• Incorporate applicable technical specifications, project lessons learned, and internal engineering standards into project designs.
• Support technology evaluations, equipment selection, and internal project pricing efforts.
• Work closely with the Development team to ensure project designs meet permitting and regulatory requirements.
• Support development activities and conduct site visits to assess site conditions and constructability.

EPC Design Execution

• Provide technical support in preparing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for EPC contractors.
• Collaborate with project implementation teams to facilitate a smooth transition from development into construction and provide technical support throughout project execution as needed.
• Review and provide comments on EPC contractor schedules of values (SOVs).
• Coordinate engineering Requests for Information (RFIs) and design deliverables, including 30%, 60%, 90%, and IFC packages, with EPC contractors, utilities, ISOs, and off-takers while ensuring compliance with interconnection requirements.
• Coordinate detailed engineering reviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and work closely with construction teams.
• Review and provide comments on detailed civil, structural, and electrical engineering design packages.
• Ensure engineering designs comply with applicable technical specifications, codes, standards, and project requirements.

Construction Support

• Work closely with EPC managers and Site Managers to facilitate timely RFI responses and resolution of technical issues.
• Review and provide comments on contractor-submitted change orders.
• Support Independent Engineer (IE) technical due diligence reviews.

Other Engineering Responsibilities

• Coordinate design optimization initiatives and identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and other project enhancements.
• Develop and implement engineering guidance, procedures, and processes.
• Independently solve complex and cross-functional engineering and project challenges and communicate solutions to the broader team.
• Document and implement lessons learned from completed and active projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision of Others: None

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering preferred; Civil or Mechanical Engineering degrees will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage, and/or wind technologies, with solar experience preferred.
• 7+ years of experience working on renewable energy projects required.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in a Project Engineer role.
• Broad knowledge of applicable codes, standards, engineering principles, and practices required to develop safe, efficient, reliable, maintainable, and cost-effective designs.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and engineering software such as AutoCAD, ETAP, or other power system analysis software.
• Experience with PV modeling and design tools preferred, such as PVSyst, PVcase, or System Advisor Model (SAM).
• Experience reviewing civil, structural, and/or electrical engineering design packages.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and tasks simultaneously.
• Proactive, flexible, and able to work independently.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a collaborative approach to teamwork.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly address project challenges.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with diverse teams, stakeholders, and professional backgrounds.

Working Conditions

Approximately 80% of the time will be spent in an office environment, with approximately 20% spent in the field. Field activities may include visiting potential and existing project sites, assessing site conditions and constructability, and meeting with project team members, local partners, and relevant industry representatives.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements may vary depending on project and site conditions and may include the ability to travel to and work at active or potential renewable energy project sites.

Fiscal Responsibilities: None.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Suna Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Applicants, with criminal histories, are considered in a manner that is consistent with local, state, and federal laws.

REQUESTING AN ACCOMODATION

Suna Solutions is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities or religious observances, including reasonable accommodation when needed. If you are hired by Suna Solutions and require accommodation to perform the essential functions of your role, you will be asked to participate in our reasonable accommodation process. Accommodations made to facilitate the recruiting process are not a guarantee of future or continued accommodations once hired.

If you would like to be considered for employment opportunities with Suna Solutions and have accommodation needs for a disability or religious observance, please call us at 1 [phone], send us an email or speak with your recruiter.

PAY TRANSPARENCY POLICY STATEMENT

Compensation for roles at Suna Solutions varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific client, office or remote location, role, skill set and level of experience. As required by local law, Suna Solutions provides a reasonable pay scale to include the hourly or salary range that Suna Solutions reasonably expects to pay for roles that may be hired in California, Colorado, New York City or Washington as set forth below.