Sr. BESS Development Engineer

Elevate Infrastructure; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevate Infrastructure in San Francisco, CA, is seeking a Development Engineer to own the engineering process for storage-only and storage+portfolio projects, from feasibility through 30% design and into procurement and construction contracting.

You will work hands-on in a startup-like environment, build infrastructure and processes, and shape how future projects are designed and built, with opportunities to influence strategy and execution in a growing company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, or related field.
• Experience as Development Engineer or Sr. Development Engineer level.
• Dev Engineer: 1.5+ years energy sector with at least 1 year designing utility scale or commercial scale BESS and PV projects.
• Sr. Dev Engineer: 4+ years energy sector with at least 2 years designing utility scale or commercial scale BESS and PV projects.
• Experience with project developer/owner operator mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and deliver under tight timelines.
• General familiarity with interconnection processes and ISO/RTO requirements.
• Proficiency with design and modeling tools such as AutoCAD, PVsyst, PVFarm or equivalent.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate complex technical concepts.
• PE license is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop site constraints and layouts to characterize conditions and risks.
• Work cross-functionally with project development, finance, and legal to evaluate feasibility and optionality.
• Help manage Owner’s Engineers and other technical consultants (scope, schedule, budget) in generating site studies.
• Provide technical due diligence on potential sites and project acquisitions.
• Support engineering deliverables for interconnection studies, grid compliance, and permitting packages.
• Support bid preparation, RFP responses, and technical presentations to off-taker and financing counterparties.
• Partner with procurement and EPCs to define scopes, review designs, and resolve design/field issues.
• Actively manage the early staged design process with EPCs and OEs to ensure alignment and clear handoffs.

Skills

Electrical Eng

Mechanical Eng

Energy Systems

AutoCAD

PVsyst

PVFarm

Cross-functional

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical/Mechanical Energy Systems

Tools

AutoCAD

PVsyst

PVFarm

Job description

Position Summary

In thisDevelopment Engineeringrole, you willsupportalldesign and developmentengineering activities across ourstorageonlyand storage +portfolio. This role is critical in shaping how our storage solutions are designed, developed, deployed, and scaled. You will own the engineering processfrom early-stage feasibility through30% design, including technical support for major equipmentprocurement and constructioncontracting.

This is a hands-on, build-from-scratch role ideal for someone excited to take ownership in a startup environment, develop infrastructure and process, andhelp shape the way future projects get designed and built.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Standards Development

• Support the development oftechnical roadmapsfor BESSand PV+Sprojects.

• Develop technology standards and design templates for repeatable project deployment.

• Lead system design and architecture including battery,PV moduleselectionand rackingselection.

Project Development & Execution

• Develop site constraints and generate creative layouts to help better characterize site conditions and risks.

• Work cross-functionally with project development, finance, and legal to evaluate project feasibilityand optionality using site constraints and knowledge about technology options.

• Help manage Owner’s Engineers and other technical consultants(scope, schedule, budget)ingenerating site studies to advance projects through developmentto handover to EPC.

• Provide technical due diligence on potential sites and project acquisitions.

• Supportengineering deliverables for interconnection studies, grid compliance, and permittingpackages.

• Support bid preparation, RFP responses, and technical presentationstoofftakerand financing counterparties.

• Partner with procurement and EPCs to define scopes, review designs, and resolve design/field issues.

• Actively manage theearly stagedesign process with EPCs and OEs toensure alignmentand clear handoffs to EPCs and other counterparties.

Technology & Vendor Strategy

• Evaluate andqualifynewBESS and PV technology solutions.

• Support procurement team invendor selection, technical negotiations, and performance benchmarking.

• Track industry trends in storage chemistry, degradation modeling, fire safety, and lifecycle cost optimization.

• Manage technical relationships with OEMs, integrators, and consultants.

Candidate Profile

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s orMaster’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, ora related field.

• This role could be hired at a Development Engineer or Sr. Development Engineer level.

• • Dev Engineer: 1.5+ years of engineering experience in the energy sector, with at least1yeardesigning utility scaleor commercial scaleBESSandPVprojects.
  • Sr. Dev Engineer: 4+ years of engineering experience in the energy sector, with a minimum of 2 years designing utility scale or commercial scale BESS and PV projects.

• Experience working at a project developer/owner operator or an understanding of the projectownermindset.

• Demonstrated ability tosupportcross-functionaleffortsand deliver results under tight timelines.

• General familiarity with interconnection processes and ISO/RTO requirements.

• Proficiencywith design and modeling tools such as AutoCAD,PVsyst,PVFarmor equivalent.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.

• PE license is a plus.

Why Join Us?

Make a Meaningful Impact

Play a direct role in accelerating the energy transition by contributing to transformative, utility-scale energy storage projects—especially on complex brownfield and urban-constrained sites where innovation drives real-world results.

Thrive in a Mission-Driven Culture

Be part of a lean, agile team that values integrity, innovation, and decisive execution. We foster a collaborative environment where every team member has a voice and is empowered to make a difference.

Grow with a Company on the Rise

Join at a pivotal moment as we scale from startup to growth stage. You’ll have the opportunity to shape strategy, influence outcomes, and grow professionally alongside a company backed by top-tier private equity and poised for significant expansion.

Elevate is an Equal Opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome all applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or Veteran status.