Solar Performance Engineering Manager - Power Engineering

Kiewit; Lenexa, Northern (KS, KY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Kiewit Power Engineers is seeking a Solar Performance Engineering Manager to lead engineering teams in developing models and tests for solar performance, with hybrid work options from Lenexa, KS. The role emphasizes PVsyst modeling, performance guarantees, and data validation across multiple projects.

The position requires a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with extensive experience, strong communication, and readiness to present to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or related field; 10 years’ experience required.
• Post-bachelor’s experience required; 5 years with Master’s or 10 years with Bachelor.
• Experience with PV plant performance modeling and PVsyst.
• Exposure to SCADA/data acquisition systems for utility-scale solar or BESS facilities (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of engineers focused on Solar Performance from RFP through performance testing.
• Review Solar Performance requirements during RFP and provide recommendations.
• Develop/review performance test procedures and schedules.
• Develop PVsyst models to support EPC proposals and performance guarantees.
• Mentor junior SCADA engineers on data acquisition architecture and testing.
• Support field performance tests and data quality troubleshoot.

Skills

PV modeling

Team leadership

Solar energy

Data interpretation

Education

Master’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical/Nuclear Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

PVsyst

SCADA data analysis

OPC-UA/DNP3/Modbus

Job description

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Solar Performance Engineering Manager - Power Engineering

Location: Lenexa, KS, US

Requisition ID:182427

Job Level:Senior Level

Home District/Group:Kiewit Power Engineering

Market:Power

Employment Type:Full Time

Position Overview

The Solar Performance Manager will be responsible for managing internal engineering teams to develop energy models that support solar performance studies, analyses, and plant efforts. This role will require strong testing capabilities to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.

District Overview

Kiewit Power Engineers delivers expertise across various power generation markets, including fossil fuels, renewables, energy storage, carbon management, geothermal, and hydrogen. Our staff partners with construction teams to deliver safe, cost-effective, and innovative solutions that meet client expectations and further Kiewit's legacy of excellence.

Location

This position is based out of Lenexa, KS with flexibility for hybrid work.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Engineers focused on Solar Performance from the initial RFP all the way through performance testing. Oversight and mentoring of junior solar performance engineers for both modeling and testing is required.
• Review Solar Performance requirements during the RFP stage and provide recommendations for the proposal
• Provide/review manhour estimates during the RFP stage
• Review manhour estimates during the execution stage
• Develop/review performance test procedures and schedules
• Develop PVsyst models to support EPC proposal efforts, plant performance guarantee development, and detailed plant design efforts.
• Develop PVsyst models to support owner’s engineer optimization studies.
• Develop PVsyst models for performance test data validation and analysis of performance test results.
• Working knowledge of plant SCADA systems and data historians (e.g., data acquisition architecture, meteorological and revenue meter data validation, communication protocols such as OPC-UA/DNP3/Modbus) to support performance monitoring, test data collection, and troubleshooting of data quality issues.
• Mentor junior SCADA engineers on data acquisition architecture, validation methodology, and troubleshooting practices, building their capability to independently review SCADA specifications, support performance testing, and monitoring efforts.
• Knowledge of OEM equipment for current and emerging technologies. As technology develops, solar performance engineers should be able to keep Kiewit current of market trends in guarantees.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication; will present frequently to senior executives.
• Participate in strategies around developing battery energy storage guarantees and performance evaluation of BESS systems with a focus on degradation.
• Supporting execution of performance tests in the field.

Qualifications

• Master’s* degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related.
• Ten years' experience as an Engineer or Test Engineer.
• Post bachelor's experience is required (5 years with master's or 10 years with bachelors) and must include:
  
  • Solar Plant performance model preparation using PVsyst for determining layouts and performance guarantees.
  • Performance test procedure generation and validation of test results.
  • Exposure to SCADA/data acquisition systems for utility-scale solar or BESS facilities (preferred).
• Domestic travel required up to 10% of the time. 1 week per month onsite in Lenexa, KS with travel to sites as needed.
• *Employer will accept a bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience in lieu of a master’s degree and 5 years’ experience.

#LI-SM1

Other Requirements:

• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry.From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most to you.

Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.