Sr. Engineer, Optimization Engineering

Avantus; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 138,089 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

comprehensive medical and dental plan

flexible PTO

Job summary

Avantus is seeking a Sr. Optimization Engineer in California to advance site design, production modeling, and cost optimization across the full development cycle from early stage through financing diligence.

You will lead cross-functional design optimization to achieve the lowest LCOE, assess PV+Storage configurations, review PPA requirements, and coordinate with EPCs and IEs for commissioning.

Qualifications

• Strong PV production modeling experience with PVsyst, SAM, or pvlib.
• Basic energy storage modeling experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Solar and Storage tech.
• Optimization-focused engineer to lower LCOE.
• Ability to quantify risk and opportunities in design.
• Understanding of the solar development process and finance.
• Familiarity with cross-functional design, production and land use.
• Excel data analysis; Python knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assess early design trade-offs for site-specific guidance.
• Model site conditions (meteorology, shading) and evaluate production.
• Lead design optimization efforts for lowest LCOE.
• Review PPA requirements to guide negotiation and risk.
• Identify production/design levers affecting profitability.
• Lead technical bid preparation and ensure bid deliverables meet requirements.
• Support PV+Storage design and dispatch optimization for off-taker needs.
• Diligence new technology with suppliers, EPCs and IEs.
• Present design and cost optimization results to stakeholders.
• Coordinate EPC RFPs and value engineering activities.

Skills

PV production modeling

Storage modeling

LCOE optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis in Excel

Solar development knowledge

PPA market knowledge

Risk quantification

Renewable project finance basics

Education

Bachelor of Science in STEM

Job description

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus develops, owns and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. Our development pipeline of solar with integrated storage will generate enough dispatchable power to serve more than 10 million Americans, day and night. Backed by strategic investment from KKR and EIG, and building on more than a decade of industry leadership, Avantus is growing its position as an independent power producer, delivering affordable, reliable clean energy solutions to meet America’s growing energy demand.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Sr. Optimization Engineer will demonstrate industry knowledge, superior communication skills, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This is seen as critical role to support projects from early-stage development through mid- and late-stage offtaker and financing diligence. The person in this role would support production, design, and cost optimization throughout the full development process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospecting/Siting

• Assess early-staged design trade-offs for site specific and regional guidance (considering factors such as DC/AC loading, GCR, equipment, land cost, expected COD year, etc.)

PPAbid/Competitiveness

• Identify and model site specific conditions such as meteorological data, soiling, shading and other onsite conditions that may impact design and production
• P50, P90, P99 and hedge type production assessments
• Lead cross functional design optimization efforts targeted at the lowest LCOE
• Review technical requirements of PPA to guide negotiation and project risks
• Identify production and design lever(s) to quantify risk and opportunities on project development and profitability
• Lead technical bid preparation and ensure team deliverables meet bid requirements
• Help assess PV+S design and dispatch optimization that meets off-taker needs

Project Optimization Efforts

• Diligence new technology with suppliers, EPC and IEs to understand bankability, performance and design impacts
• Work on LCOE initiatives around design configuration, land utilization, and equipment
• Present results of project design and cost optimization efforts to project stakeholders

EPC RFP and Value Engineering

• Present key project specifications to EPC partners for detailed design process
• Guide and collaborate with the contractor to find site and EPC specific optimized design
• Review and negotiate technical exhibits such as capacity testing and technical commissioning (with the support of OEs)
• Support commissioning and performance testing activities by reviewing data from EPCs and coordinating with IEs

Technical Diligence Through Project Financing

• Technical and performance support through IE diligence and project financing
• Lead production reviews and coordinate on design, equipment and production topics to maximize project valuation

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong PV production modeling experience (PVsyst, SAM, and/or pvlib, etc.)
• Basic energy storage modeling experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of Solar and Storage technology and components
• Commercially minded engineer focused on optimization for LCOE
• Ability to quantify risk and opportunities around unknowns in design and technology
• Basic understanding of the full solar development process
• Basic understanding of renewable project finance process
• Understanding of typical Solar and Storage PPA and market structures
• Thrive in a cross-functional environment, able to guide discussion and identify dependencies between design, production, cost, land use, LCOE
• Data analysis experience in Excel (familiarity with python a plus)
• Bachelor of Science in STEM
• 3+ years’ experience in project or optimization engineering
• 3+ years’ experience with renewable energy and solar development

#LI-Hybrid

Avantus offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package, including

• 401(k) matching
• comprehensive medical and dental plan options
• flexible PTO

We are an equal-opportunity employer.

Pay Range

The base salary range for this full-time position is listed below (plus bonus and benefits). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the applicable location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus and benefits.

$138,089—$145,000 USD

Job posting details for Sr. Engineer, Optimization Engineering at Avantus in (Hybrid) San Diego, CA, USA. Compensation / salary range: $138,089—$145,000 USD. ClimateTechList gathers 9,000+ job openings from over 509 climate tech companies and updates them daily.