Solar + BESS Project Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Advancement opportunities

Paid time off

Training & development

Company parties

Dental insurance

Job summary

Zero Impact Solutions in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Project Development Engineer to own the technical and financial development of commercial energy projects from data through handoff and implementation support.

The role combines electrical engineering, PV and BESS sizing, energy modeling, tariff analysis, and dispatch optimization to deliver Solar + BESS + microgrid solutions for customers.

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 experience with PV Watts/PVsyst; Python or MATLAB preferred.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, SLDs, ETAP/SKM, utility interconnection, NEC/NFPA, and applicable PV/BESS standards.
• Experience with CAPEX/OPEX and financial analysis including NPV, IRR, payback, and sensitivity analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skills

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

Solar PV

BESS optimization

Python

MATLAB

Stakeholder management

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

SLDs

ETAP/SKM

PVsyst

PV Watts

Job description

Zero Impact Solutions in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Project Development Engineer to own the technical and financial development of commercial energy projects from data through handoff and implementation support.

The role combines electrical engineering, PV and BESS sizing, energy modeling, tariff analysis, and dispatch optimization to deliver Solar + BESS + microgrid solutions for customers.