Technical Design Manager (Grid)

Contemporary Amperex Technology USA Inc; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Contemporary Amperex Technology (USA), Inc. (CATU) is seeking an engineering professional with strong experience in power system network design for renewables and storage projects.

You will work on HV/MV substations, 400kV to LV connections, and engage with consultants, contractors, and clients to deliver optimized grid designs. The role requires hands-on engineering, design reviews, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• Proven experience in electrical network design for renewables.
• Experience with HV/MV substations and grid connection design.
• Strong communication and project coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead power system network design efforts from 400kV to LV levels.
• Coordinate with ICP, BoP contractors and consultants.
• Perform system studies and stability analyses.
• Support bids, procurement, and project delivery activities.
• Own design standards and BIM-based design practices.

Skills

Power systems design

HV/MV substation design

Stakeholder management

Project management

Engineering analysis

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DigSilent Power Factory

BIM360

Revit

AutoCAD 3D

Job description

Contemporary Amperex Technology (USA), Inc. (CATU) is a U.S. subsidiary of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), a global leader in the research, development and manufacturing of advanced electric vehicle and energy storage batteries. Established in Michigan in 2017, CATU has played a critical role in advancing electric mobility and energy resilience in the U.S.

Our Vision

To become a globally leading innovative technology corporation, contribute meaningfully to sustainable energy solutions, and provide a platform that supports both the professional and personal growth of our employees.

The Role

We are looking to recruit a technically astute engineering professional with experience in the renewable market to support the growth of the CATL businesses. The candidate will bring a good understanding of power system network design requirements and understanding of how to design and connect for battery storage system and co-located battery storage system, Solar PV, hydrogen (storage/electrolysis) and onshore wind to the network.

The candidate will have a proven experience of working with relevant stakeholders, and have the capability and credibility to design, engineer, and commission HV and MV substations and cable. Working with the Directors and other members of the Land/planning and Grid Engineering team, the candidate will be able to manage the day to day aspects of further establishing the relationship with consultant and principal designer/contractor and involve in detailed engineering design and plant specifications as well as commissioning of such solutions.

The role integrates with team members in development, procurement, project, engineering, controls, and construction to put together complex connection solution, optimized plant design, and techno-economic analysis. The role includes liaising with clients and external stakeholders such as TO, technical consultants, transformer, and inverter suppliers. The candidate will be able to contribute to engineering team at CATL on the first day. It will be a requirement to hit the ground running and to be comfortable operating at a rapid pace at times with levels of ambiguity and the pressure of deadlines.

We expect the successful candidate to have:

• Lead all aspects related to power system network design including the application and negotiations, and support the teams with optimisation from technical and financial perspective up to financial close and beyond
• Lead engineering feasibility studies and optimising the engineering solution in providing value engineering
• Supporting the design of large scale energy storage plants such as sizing the rating of equipment, technical specifications and general design (SLD, layout, etc.)
• Review, and challenge where appropriate, contractor (ICP & BoP) design and engineering deliverables.
• Carry out power/electrical system studies including performance assessment for design assurance, and transient and dynamic stability studies
• Continue to develop power system design network from 400kV down to LV to support the business engineering design and decision making process
• Support the business development and procurement teams with technical or technical-economic analysis for tenders
• Support the project delivery teams during the basic and detailed design phases, construction and commissioning
• Ensure technical queries are correctly assessed and responded to
• Perform engineering tasks and implement engineering best practices
• Assist in reviewing for key engineering deliverables performed by third parties consultant and contractor
• Own/lead on technical design standards and practices utilising tools such as BIM, 3D CAD design. Digital Twins etc.
• Proven experience in electrical network design, experience in designing renewable system will be advantageous
• Excellent understanding of power system engineering
• Project Management (including budgeting, engineering capex management) experience will be advantageous
• Fundamental understanding of power system network design and renewable connection design from 400kV down to renewable site LV involving technologies like AIS & GIS substation, grid-forming inverters and controls systems
• Experience and knowledge of relevant software programmes such as DigSilent Power Factory, BIM360, Revit, AutoCAD 3D
• Understanding of Transmission & Distribution (T&D) network
• Understanding of design requirements for all electrical equipment in the context of an energy storage and renewable energy installation (interference between equipment, blast and fire safety, general access and egress for installation and ongoing O&M, etc.)
• Fluent in Microsoft office applications including PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Project
• Knowledge of CAD
• High quality education (bachelor's or master's degree) in engineering, preferably electrical engineering or similar.
• A genuine passion in clean energy and our social and environmental mission
• Some working experience in engineering, system planning, or consultancy in the energy sector (B2B) preferably in energy storage or renewables sectors
• Fundamental commercial skills - comfortable with Capex and Opex calculations
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting technical results and implications
• Strong organisation skills, team player and good attention to detail
• Knowledge of the UK, EU and Australia energy landscape and stability services
• Results oriented who is not scared of taking accountability
• Desire to work in a fast moving, high pressure and entrepreneurial environment
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development and growth opportunities.

CATU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. CATU reserves the right to modify, revise, or add job responsibilities as business needs evolve. Employment with CATU is at-will, meaning either the employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.

Export Control & Data Security Compliance

This position may involve access to sensitive systems or information subject to U.S. export control and data security regulations. Employment is contingent upon the employee’s ability to comply with applicable laws and company policies related to data protection and controlled information access.