Staff BESS Electrical Design Engineer, EPC

Redwood Materials; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwood Materials seeks a Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Electrical Engineer to join the EPC team. This role centers on designing scalable, high-performance energy storage infrastructure for utility-scale and distributed applications, advancing a sustainable circular economy for lithium-ion batteries.

You will lead electrical engineering efforts, interface with utilities and ISO/RTOs, and serve as SME on BESS technical challenges, with a focus on AC/DC systems, code compliance, and grid

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering degree required.
• PE license in Nevada or eligible; must obtain NV and SC licenses within 2 months.
• Minimum 5 years in solar, energy storage, or microgrid, with at least 3 years on BESS.
• Proven expertise in interconnection and regulatory compliance for BESS.
• SME in NEC 705, NEC 706, IEEE 1547, UL 9540, NFPA 855.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical engineering efforts for utility-scale BESS projects from concept through construction.
• Interface with utilities and ISO/RTOs for interconnection studies, permitting, and compliance.
• Serve as SME for technical challenges related to BESS.
• Design AC and DC electrical systems for BESS using MV transformers, inverters, DC combiners, energy managers, and battery modules.
• Develop schematics, single-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, raceway and grounding plans, and protection strategies.
• Coordinate with civil/structural/fire/life safety/SCADA teams to produce IFC packages and specs.
• Lead code reviews and provide summaries to internal teams.
• Integrate BESS with grid infrastructure and other energy sources.
• Perform power system studies (short circuit, load flow, arc flash, coordination).
• Provide CA support for RFIs, submittals, change orders, and site inspections.

Skills

BESS design

Interconnection

Regulatory compliance

Electrical engineering

NEC 705

NEC 706

IEEE 1547

NFPA 855

UL 9540

HOMER

ETAP

SKM

PSSE

PSLF

Education

ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

ETAP

SKM

HOMER

PSSE

PSLF

PSCAD

SEL AcSELerator

Job description

Redwood is localizing a global battery supply chain that seamlessly integrates recovery, reuse, and recycling — keeping critical minerals in circulation and driving the energy transition. Founded in 2017, we’re delivering low-cost and large-scale energy storage and producing battery materials in the U.S. for the first time, all from batteries we already have.

Redwood Materials is seeking a Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Electrical Engineer to join our EPC team. This role is central to the design of scalable, high-performance energy storage infrastructure for utility-scale and distributed applications. Our mission is to build a sustainable circular economy for lithium-ion batteries by transforming recycled materials into high-quality inputs for new batteries.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead electrical engineering efforts for utility scale lithium-ion BESS projects from concept (system sizing, layout) through construction.
• Interface with utilities and ISO/RTOs to support interconnection studies/submittals, permitting, and compliance for new renewable and BESS projects.
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert (SME) for technical challenges related to BESS.
• Design AC and DC electrical systems for BESS using medium voltage transformers, inverters, DC combiners, energy managers, and battery modules. Specify and procure long-lead AC equipment.
• Develop schematic diagrams, single-line diagrams, wiring schematics, raceway plans, grounding plans, and protection strategies for AC and DC systems.
• Specify and evaluate components such as circuit breakers, contactors, fuses, disconnects, emergency power off (EPO), and metering devices.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, fire & life safety, SCADA/telecom, geotechnical, and DC system design teams to produce complete IFC packages and technical specifications.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable codes and standards such as NEC 705, NEC 706, IEEE 1547, UL 9540, NFPA 855, and local amendments. Lead code reviews and provide summary to internal teams.
• Integration of BESS with grid infrastructure and other renewable and traditional energy sources.
• Perform power system studies for short circuit, load flow, arc flash, and protective device coordination for AC and DC systems.
• Serve as the Electrical Engineer of Record for assigned projects.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of BESS technologies, codes, and industry trends.
• Lead R&D efforts to perform feasibility analysis of using medium voltage DC distribution system for integrating BESS with other sources.
• Provide CA support for RFIs, submittal reviews, change orders, and site inspections.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external consultants to track scope, schedule, and budget.
• Prepare engineering cost estimates and project schedules in collaboration with project controls at various design milestones.
• Perform QA/QC reviews of electrical designs and mentor junior engineers.
• Contribute to internal design standards, templates, and best practices.
• Manage project workload and ensure timely delivery of engineering documents.
• Support strategic initiatives related to grid integration, renewable energy, and energy storage.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET accredited program.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in Nevada or eligible for reciprocity. Must get their PE in Nevada and South Carolina within 2 months of start date.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in solar, energy storage, or microgrid sectors, with at least 3 years focused on BESS design and deployment.
• Proven expertise in interconnection and regulatory compliance for BESS systems.
• SME in knowledge of NEC 705, NEC 706, IEEE 1547, UL 9540, and NFPA 855.
• Advanced proficiency in:
• Microgrid and hybrid power systems modeling tools using HOMER or similar
• Power system modeling using ETAP, SKM, or similar

Preferred proficiency in:

• Transmission-level load flow and stability using PSSE and PSLF
• Electromagnetic Transient Simulations using PSCAD, EMTC or similar
• SEL Relay Settings using SEL AcSELerator or equivalent
• Design of HVDC systems and converter station
• Strong understanding of energy storage use-cases including peak shaving, load shifting, demand response, and frequency response.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and detail oriented.
• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal, written, and visual formats.

In accordance with California pay transparency laws, the salary range for this position is listed below. Actual compensation may vary based on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and skills.

The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

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