Substation Engineer

The Electrical Systems Engineer will be responsible for the electrical system level design and analysis of substation interconnect facilities, solar & BESS energy facilities, along with review and revision of commercial and utility plan sets for photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Storage (BESS) system installations and site survey sketches. Plan sets include review of electrical layouts, one-lines, BOM’s, schematics, structural details, material take-offs, and equipment specifications. Other systems include auxiliary power, backup power, fire protection, security, lighting, and communication. The individual will work closely with EOR’s, customers, and other engineering and design team members and contractors to coordinate the overall design packages and requirements and help transition the designs to the field where they will ensure the successful construction and energization of the project. Duties and Responsibilities: Technical responsibility for organizing, reviewing, interpreting, researching, executing, coordination, and commenting on project pursuit and design packages by working closely with other engineering and design team members to coordinate overall design packages. Is responsible for all aspects of the design including AC/DC one-lines, layout drawings, plan & profile drawings, schematics, design verification, equipment / material & construction specifications, and all associated electrical design and power quality studies.

The analysis of substation – solar & BESS energy projects involve working across a range of responsibilities, including:

• System level electrical (AC & DC) & communication layout design

• Electrical design understanding of power and distribution systems (low, medium and High voltage), emergency/standby generator and UPS Systems, grounding systems (electrical, equipment, safety and isolated), engineering calculations (voltage drop, fault current, load calcs, full or series rating, etc.), electrical code compliance (NEC, ANSI/IEEE, city codes, California codes, etc.)

• Design development & optimization, field construction and installation means & methods

• Developing/contributing detailed design concepts for substation, solar and BESS system design

• Provide long term detailed design, optimization, and constructability support.

• Develop, update, and use electrical engineering calculation tools to size equipment and material based on project requirements.

• Independent engineering report writing, evaluation.

• Plant and substation design reviews

• Reviews of commercial agreements including Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Interconnection Agreements, Service Contracts, Facility Studies This includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Work alongside the Business Development, Estimating, and Engineering teams to create preliminary site layouts, single line drawings (DC and AC), and BOM’s for project proposals.

• Provides engineering support for proposals, estimating, procurement and construction.

• Provides technical support to personnel/cross functional teams supporting the assigned project by performing advanced level engineering tasks, calculations, data analysis, and studies as needed to develop preliminary detailed scopes of work on large and small projects.

• Assess the electrical technology and expected use case of the proposed projects to optimize the system design with the optimal technology, material, augmentation, and asset mix.

• Estimation of plant losses and calculation of assessment uncertainties.

• Assist with design and optimization of Substation, BESS, and Solar systems to meet project requirements, minimize cost and propose value.

• Convey results and findings by means of discussions, graphic-based presentations, and project documentation.

• Demonstrate familiarity with various equipment (cable, panelboards, transformers, etc.) used for proper design and installation of renewable energy projects.

• Understand manufacturer’s installation guidelines by creating site plans and single line drawings.

• Review and approve equipment vendor drawings on major equipment from manufacturers.

• Conducts project detailed design and QA/QC reviews for completeness and accuracy of internal and external design documents that align with our customer requirements and CSI’s best practice standards.

• Perform site visits as needed to verify that construction is in agreement with engineering design drawings, including preparatory meetings, and QA/QC.

• Prioritize, multitask, and follow through on assigned tasks and projects with minimal supervision.

• Assure proper documentation of technical data generated for the assigned projects and/or tasks are consistent with engineering best practices and policies.

Other Duties:

• Works independently with direction from Director of EPC Engineering.

• Coordinate with other engineering disciplines, Project Managers, Directors, and Operations personnel to successfully deliver design projects.

• Create and update database of design records and equipment for future reference.

• Attend mandatory training sessions on new products, installation methodology, and safety.

• Initiates and maintains contacts with key engineers in other companies, suppliers, and industry associations to maintain their technical expertise.

Skills:

• Design experience in the layout, specification, and development of Utility level substations.

• Advanced understanding of discipline specific technical designs, engineering principles, business standards, practices, procedures, and product / program requirements.

• Experienced in the practice of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations.

• Ability to apply engineering theories and principles to review and evaluate electrical/communication drawings to determine if the design meets the contractual requirements, construction best practices and budget.

• Has a firm understanding of the principles of Project Management and Physical Electrical substation design.

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite of products, AutoCAD 2D, Blue Beam, AmpCalc, CymCap, and other web-based software applications.

• Proactive attitude, showing initiative and the ability to work independently as well as with a team.

• Strong analytical problem-solving skills.

• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and follow through on assigned tasks and projects with minimal supervision.

• Strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal

• Ability to work in a fast-moving environment while maintaining a positive attitude in stressful situations and adapt to changing job requirements.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Preferred graduate of four-year college or university with Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related Engineering program. Strongly preferred the degree is from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum.

• Possess a minimum of 8 to 10 years of related work experience (Can be a combination of trade & relevant work experience).

• Competency with electrical system sizing at all levels, experience with Utility and/or Commercial scale renewable EPC projects, independent engineering and nuances of design, and analysis of operational project data and performance.

• An individual with Utility scale substation design experience is a plus and would excel in this position.

• Special consideration will be given to candidates who have performed power quality and facility studies.

• Positive attitude, showing customer focus and the initiative and ability to work independently.

• Experience in utility-scale solar/PV projects, highly preferred.

• This position will require both office and field time with the ability to work remotely.

Physical Demands:

• Frequently works outdoors on uneven surfaces.

• May be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.

• May be required to stoop, bend, and crouch.

• Ability to travel up to 35%.

Work Environment:

• Works in a climate-controlled environment at least 50% of the time.

• When in the field, may work in varying weather conditions: hot, cold, and wet conditions.

• When in the field, will work in areas with large industrial equipment subject to high noise levels.

• May occasionally work in areas with hazardous chemicals.