Director of Engineering

We are a small and mighty team of smart, driven, curious, self-starters that are committed to excellence and doing our part in the fight against the climate crisis.

Our successful renewable energy development firm, located with offices in Portland and Bend, Oregon, is seeking a Director of Engineering to contribute to the engineering and development of distribution-level solar PV farms (1-10MWac) in multiple states across the US (current main market focus is Illinois and Pennsylvania). In this role, you will manage all aspects of our engineering needs and will work collaboratively with the development team to bring new development opportunities to fruition and execute on existing pipeline. The ideal candidate needs is one with extensive solar PV electrical engineering experience, project management skills, and a knack for rolling up sleeves and solving whatever engineering challenges we have.

The company is relatively small and growing quickly, highly entrepreneurial, fast paced, and can offer a level of engagement that most large organizations cannot. We hire “doers” who are driven, take ownership of their work, and proactively seek out problems that need to be solved. We prefer this position to be based in either our Portland or Bend office where we have a hybrid work environment, but will also consider remote applicants as well.

The Director of engineering will work closely with the development company’s project managers, permitters, developers, and executives to ensure project designs and interconnection agreements are meeting all project financing needs, as well as any other environmental, real estate, permitting, and any other project constraints. Additionally, this role will spend 25% to 50% of their time working directly with our EPC construction business and help review electrical and civil 15% to IFC drawings for construction purposes. These roles and responsibilities are likely to grow as the companies grow.

Essential Functions

• Work collaboratively with the development team, project managers, executives, and third-party consultants to drive intelligent and practical project design that make good sound construction sense.
• Drive the creation (either with 3^rd party engineers or self-derived) 30% drawings for electrical and civil
• Ensure electrical and civil drawings meet all design constraints – financial, real estate, permitting, interconnection, etc. This will need to be done by collaborating with respective team members and digging into data rooms and doing your own review of various documents.
• Drive the creation (either with 3^rd party engineers or self-derived) of financeable PVsysts that are representative of how a solar PV array will generate kWh’s in the real world.
• Manage entire interconnection process with our utility partners, various 3^rd party engineering consultants, and regulatory counsel (where needed)
• Oversee developers creating interconnection applications, manage SLD designs, interconnection site plans, and any other interconnection requirements
• Review utility interconnection studies and push back on utility where needed (ie unreasonable costs and/or design standards). Utilize 3rd party engineers and regulatory counsel as needed
• Work diligently to derive most cost-effective interconnection design by collaborating with utility, their interconnection standards, 3^rd party engineers, and developers.
• Form partnerships with utilities and communicate with them regularly
• Work with utility on finalizing interconnection design and ensuring utility is procuring proper equipment for projects to be constructed in accordance to the anticipated schedule.
• Manage any utility disputes and/or complaints at the PUC-level
• Actively seek excellent 3^rd party consultants and engineers to help with all engineering and design needs (ie civil engineering, electrical engineering, relay settings, commissioning, etc)
• Procurement
• Help review and oversee our EPC-arm procure various solar equipment (transformers, modules, inverters, etc). Work closely with project coordinators and project managers to help ensure proper equipment is being procured that meets our engineering and interconnection requirements/specs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

While we do not expect the successful candidate to possess all the experiences, skills, and attributes listed below, the right candidate will likely rely on several of these skill sets to be successful in this role. If you are unsure whether you meet all of the qualifications but believe that your experience, skill set, growth mindset, and hard work ethic make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply!

• Degree in electrical engineering, ideally, EIT and/or PE
• Multiple years experience specific to the solar PV industry (1-10MWac, Utility scale project experience welcome) working in various capacities in solar PV design, electrical engineering, project management, construction management, and procurement management
• Solar PV on-site construction, construction management, construction engineering experience, basis of design through the lens of constructability
• Value engineering approach and methodologies
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial company.
• A strong candidate will demonstrate drive and initiative, curiosity, and transparency throughout their engagement with landowners.
• Ability and interest to learn and master new material, as required, and speak confidently on it.
• A collaborative and engaging team member.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at various stages simultaneously.
• Creative thinking and problem solving skills that may identify new or improved strategies.
• Able to multitask, take initiative, and absorb information quickly.
• Must be able to problem solve and find creative solutions collaboratively and individually.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Results-driven and organized with a strong work ethic and commitment. Track progress (KPI’s), report results, and actively work with team members to resolve any bottlenecks or problems.
• A self-motivated starter who can work independently and proactively solve problems when necessary.
• High ethical standards.

Desired Capabilities:

• Create and review plans for PV plants for development purposes and eventual EPC basis of design documents and equipment specifications
• Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software
• Run PVsyst and related PV design software and articulate and base design on related systems to maximize efficiency and output
• Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
• Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance
• Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring. Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Develop standard operating procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
• Determine operational methods.
• Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
• Inspect finished products and review and approve final test reports and related documentation.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Bonus potential.
• Company paid medical.
• Retirement match.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Paid time off.

The above information is designed to outline the functions and requirements of this position. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected.