Solar BESS & Microgrid Project Engineer

Zero Impact Energy Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Company parties

Dental insurance

Job summary

Zero Impact Solutions in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Project Development Engineer for Solar, BESS and energy systems. You will own technical and financial development from initial data through engineering handoff and implementation support, combining electrical engineering, energy storage sizing, load modeling, and interconnection work.

The role requires 3-5 years in Solar, BESS, or microgrids, proficiency with Excel and PV tools; strong communication and stakeholder management; in-person work,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Energy, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in Solar PV, BESS, microgrids, DER, or renewable energy project development.
• Proven experience developing Solar + BESS projects from feasibility through engineering handoff.
• Strong knowledge of utility tariffs, TOU/demand charges, interval load analysis, and BESS sizing/dispatch optimization.
• Proficiency in Excel modeling and PV Watts/PVsyst; Python or MATLAB preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own technical and financial development of Solar, BESS and microgrid projects from utility data and site requirements through feasibility and engineering handoff.
• Analyze 15-minute/hourly load data, utility tariffs, TOU rates, demand charges and project bill savings.
• Develop and validate PV + BESS dispatch models for peak shaving, energy shifting, self-consumption, resiliency and grid reduction.
• Size PV and BESS systems based on site constraints, load profile, SoC, DoD, efficiency, degradation, curtailment and operating requirements.
• Develop EMS strategies for demand management, PV capture, battery dispatch and backup reserve.
• Develop electrical concepts including SLDs, PCS/inverter interfaces, transformers, switchgear, breakers, protection, metering and interconnection.
• Perform or coordinate load studies, equipment sizing, short-circuit/AIC checks, grounding, protection coordination and code compliance.
• Support utility interconnection, AHJ coordination, EPC/OEM/vendor reviews and technical project execution.
• Develop CAPEX/OPEX estimates and financial models including savings, EaaS/PPA revenue, payback, NPV, IRR, XIRR, MOIC and sensitivity analysis.
• Prepare feasibility studies, sizing reports, proposals, executive summaries and investment decision materials.
• Support projects through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and performance verification.
• Audit engineering and financial models to ensure calculations, assumptions and project economics are accurate and defensible.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Excel

PV Watts

PVsyst

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Zero Impact Solutions in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Project Development Engineer for Solar, BESS and energy systems. You will own technical and financial development from initial data through engineering handoff and implementation support, combining electrical engineering, energy storage sizing, load modeling, and interconnection work.

The role requires 3-5 years in Solar, BESS, or microgrids, proficiency with Excel and PV tools; strong communication and stakeholder management; in-person work,