Storage & BESS Engineering Lead – Utility-Scale Projects

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical & Dental

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Avantus is seeking a Sr. Manager or Director of Storage Engineering in California to lead BESS execution for PV+S projects. You will coordinate internal and external teams, suppliers, and EPC partners to optimize cost, performance, and compliance across storage facilities integrated with solar plants.

The role requires deep BESS expertise, strong contract negotiation, and the ability to travel up to 25% to drive project success from engineering through commissioning.

Qualifications

• Highly experienced with BESS tech, performance, guarantees, integration, controls, equipment selection, and design.
• Experienced in utility-scale battery EPC contracting from project buyer or seller perspective.
• Experienced with BESS contractual guarantees terms, BESS integration, equipment selection, and design.
• Experienced in BESS subsystem performance (batteries, inverters, thermal management).
• In‑depth knowledge of permitting particularly in NFPA, CFC, and UL certification processes.
• Background in utility operations including dispatch of generators and battery storage controls.
• Familiarity with FERC, NERC, CAISO/ERCOT regulation is a plus.
• Experienced with battery storage performance modeling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Bachelor of Science in STEM, preferably in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Preferably graduate degree in STEM or PE in power system engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external cross‑functional team to ensure comprehensive scope coverage of BESS execution to fit offtake, M&A buyer, and any other project needs.
• Partner with key battery suppliers, EPC contractors, power plant controller providers, and inverter suppliers to estimate component cost and performance for battery energy storage systems for inclusion in PV+S projects.
• Collaborate with battery suppliers, BESS contractors and BESS integrator partners to build investor confidence in new technology or suppliers and push down the Levelized Cost of Storage.
• Own, write and negotiate clear and strong technical contracts for the BESS EPC contractors and BESS suppliers to deliver on our PPA obligations at the lowest cost and the least risk.
• Specify controls and SCADA capabilities of the BESS and power plant for integration with onsite PV, interconnection facilities and utility operations.
• Collaborate with Avantus PV design SMEs to co‑optimize design of storage facility with the solar PV component of the projects.
• Help prepare BESS suppliers and EPC RFPs and technical requirements, work with internal teams to hand off contracted BESS suppliers and EPC contractors to ensure and manage proper engineering, construction, schedule, commissioning, and operation of assigned PV+S projects.
• Work with project engineering team to support design, engineering and technical matters in dealing with project external engineering groups such as engineer of records, owners engineering, fire safety consultants and independent engineering.
• Review BESS technical deliverables to ensure technical needs and correct designs are met.
• Lead the collaboration between BESS suppliers, BESS contractors and their consultants to assist AHJ BESS permitting process.

Skills

BESS technology

EPC contracting

cost estimation

contract negotiation

SCADA controls

PV+S design

stakeholder communication

travel 25%

Education

B.S. in STEM (Electrical/Mechanical)

M.S./PE in power systems (preferred)

Job description

Avantus is seeking a Sr. Manager or Director of Storage Engineering in California to lead BESS execution for PV+S projects. You will coordinate internal and external teams, suppliers, and EPC partners to optimize cost, performance, and compliance across storage facilities integrated with solar plants.

The role requires deep BESS expertise, strong contract negotiation, and the ability to travel up to 25% to drive project success from engineering through commissioning.