Sr. Engineer: BESS Acoustics Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Westinghouse Electric Company; United States; Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Westinghouse Electric Company is seeking a Sr. Engineer for BESS Acoustics SME to lead outdoor acoustic modeling, evaluation of noise controls, and regulatory compliance for utility-scale energy storage systems.

The role involves working with internal teams, consultants, and vendors to ensure sound engineering practices meet ISO/ANSI standards. The position offers both in-office and remote options, with occasional site visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (ME, Acoustical, EE, Environmental, Physics)
• 5+ years in outdoor/environmental acoustics or acoustics modeling
• Knowledge of outdoor acoustics, noise modeling, and ISO/ANSI standards
• Ability to review consultant work and provide clear technical recommendations
• Experience with CadnaA, Excel, GIS, and AI-enabled tools

Responsibilities

• Serve as outdoor/acoustics SME for utility-scale BESS projects and provide technical leadership
• Perform and review outdoor acoustic modeling to evaluate layouts and sound propagation
• Review consultant studies and verify model inputs, methodologies, and conclusions
• Provide formal technical review and sign-off within the BESS team
• Translate acoustic findings into practical project-design recommendations (layout, barriers, HVAC design)
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences
• Support internal modeling capabilities and AI-enabled workflows

Skills

Acoustics modeling

Technical review

Comunication

CadnaA

Excel

GIS

AI-enabled tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Acoustical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CadnaA

Excel

GIS

AI-enabled platforms

Job description

Please Note: **No Third-Party or C2C Firms**

*Must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship*

We are looking for a Sr. Engineer: BESS Acoustics Subject Matter Expert (SME) on behalf of our client. This is a 1-year contract assignment. (W-2) The BESS Engineering & Construction (E&C) team is seeking an experienced, hands‑on engineer to serve as the BESS Acoustics Subject Matter Expert (SME). This Sr. Engineer will support utility‑scale BESS projects through acoustic modeling, project‑layout review, noise‑regulation interpretation, field measurements, and evaluation of practical noise‑mitigation solutions for equipment such as HVAC/chillers, PCS/inverters, transformers, and substations.

The role includes performing internal acoustic analyses, critically reviewing consultant work, and providing technical recommendations and approvals that may influence equipment selection, project layout, setbacks, barriers, HVAC design, and procurement requirements. The engineer will work closely with internal project teams, consultants, manufacturers, EPC contractors, and permitting agencies to communicate project noise goals, resolve technical issues, and ensure acoustic information, test methods, and project requirements are technically sound and aligned with applicable ISO, ANSI, and industry standards.

The role will also support continued improvement of internal modeling capabilities, lower‑noise solutions, and AI‑enabled engineering workflows. This position prefers an in‑office presence but offers remote options for the right candidate. The position will require occasional project, vendor, and site visits.

Onsite preferred but open to remote for the right candidate

1-year contract assignment. (W-2)

Key Responsibilities

1. BESS Acoustics Modeling & Technical Review

• Serve as the outdoor and environmental acoustics SME for utility‑scale BESS projects, providing technical leadership on acoustic modeling, community‑noise impacts, and project‑specific acoustics decisions.
• Perform and review outdoor acoustic modeling using CadnaA or other appropriate tools to evaluate project layouts, sound propagation, receptor impacts, and design alternatives.
• Review acoustic studies prepared by consultants and verify key assumptions, methodologies, model inputs, vendor acoustic information, and conclusions before they are relied upon for project decisions or permitting.
• Provide formal technical review and approval of acoustic work, as appropriate, while also providing technical recommendations and sign‑off within the BESS team.
• Translate acoustic findings into practical project‑design recommendations, including equipment selection, equipment layout, setbacks, barriers or enclosures, HVAC and chiller design, and other noise‑control measures.
• Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences across project teams.

2. Noise Mitigation, Vendor & Technology Evaluation

• Evaluate practical noise‑reduction solutions for HVAC and chiller systems, PCS/inverters, transformers/GSUs, substations, and other BESS equipment.
• Work directly with equipment manufacturers and vendors to communicate project noise requirements and goals, troubleshoot acoustic issues, and identify lower noise equipment or mitigation options.
• Maintain accountability for project noise requirements, vendor submittals, and acoustic test methods so they are appropriately aligned with applicable ISO, ANSI, and other relevant industry standards.
• Challenge or reject vendor acoustic information, test methods, or specifications when they are incomplete, inconsistent, or insufficient to demonstrate compliance with project requirements.
• Support vendor evaluations and RFP/procurement acoustic requirements, including technical review of proposed equipment and noise‑control approaches.
• Track emerging outdoor noise‑control technologies and industry developments and evaluate their applicability to BESS and other renewable‑energy projects.

3. Permitting, Field Measurements & Project Support

• Research and interpret applicable noise ordinances, permitting criteria, and regulatory requirements and translate them into actionable project design and compliance criteria.
• Perform or oversee field noise measurements, including ambient surveys, equipment testing, and post‑construction verification, and review measurement and test results for technical quality and project implications.
• Support BESS Engineering & Construction, Development, Environmental/Permitting, Project Management, Supply Chain/Procurement, Construction, and Operations on active project acoustics issues.
• Coordinate effectively with acoustic consultants, equipment manufacturers, EPC contractors, AHJs/permitting agencies, and other external parties as needed to resolve project issues and maintain schedule.
• Participate in occasional project, vendor, and site visits to support measurements, technology evaluations, issue resolution, and project verification.
• Develop and improve internal acoustic modeling, data‑analysis, calculation, and engineering tools that reduce repetitive work and improve the speed and consistency of project evaluations.
• Apply AI‑enabled tools and automation to acoustic research, data analysis, regulatory review, and engineering workflows where they provide practical improvements in quality, efficiency, or decision‑making.
• Use tools such as CadnaA, Excel, GIS, and AI‑enabled platforms to support project analysis, visualization, technical communication, and knowledge sharing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Acoustical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Physics, or a similar technical discipline.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in outdoor/environmental acoustics, acoustic modeling, noise control, or a closely related technical field.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of outdoor/environmental acoustics, noise modeling, noise‑reduction technologies, interpretation of noise ordinances and permitting criteria, HVAC/chiller acoustics, and applicable ISO/ANSI acoustic standards.
• Demonstrated ability to perform hands‑on acoustic analyses while also critically reviewing consultant work, challenging assumptions professionally, and providing clear technical recommendations.
• Experience with CadnaA, Excel, GIS, and AI‑enabled engineering tools or workflows.
• Experience with BESS, PCS/inverters, transformers, renewable‑energy permitting, or utility‑scale project development is a plus but is not required.
• Experience working directly with equipment manufacturers, engineering consultants, and cross‑functional project teams to resolve technical issues and communicate project goals.
• Strong communication, independent problem‑solving, cross‑functional collaboration, and attention to detail, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• INCE certification is preferred.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for project, vendor, and site visits.

We are committed to transparency and equity in all of our people practices. The base salary range for this position, which is dependent upon experience, qualifications and skills, is estimated to be $60.00/hr. to $75.00/hr.

Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities