Job Description
The Senior Solar Project Engineer II is responsible for leading the technical execution, design, and construction support of solar power and energy storage projects, ensuring they meet performance, cost, and schedule objectives while supporting development, permitting, and stakeholder communication.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage engineering and design activities for solar power plants and energy storage systems throughout development, permitting, interconnection, construction, and closeout phases.
- Create and review engineering drawings, specifications, and calculations to support project timelines and ensure constructability and code compliance.
- Lead technical due diligence, risk mitigation, and asset performance modeling for grid-tied generation assets.
- Support construction activities by resolving RFIs, reviewing submittals, and coordinating between engineering teams during project execution.
- Develop and defend engineering opinions on PV design aspects, including energy modeling, structural, civil, electrical, and subsurface engineering.
- Coordinate project-level engineering activities across various disciplines and external vendors or consultants.
- Identify, track, and mitigate project risks, maintaining a risk register and communicating risks to stakeholders.
- Review and approve equipment drawings and specifications for procurement, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Lead research and implementation of new products, technologies, and process improvements within the engineering department.
- Perform site visits during construction to assess progress and resolve technical challenges.
Requirements
- Degree in Engineering or equivalent education certification background.
- NABCEP certification and or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) credential required.
- At least 5 years of experience in solar project engineering and or design, including at least 2 years supporting the design, optimization, and construction of grid-tied energy projects preferably solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), or wind.
- Experience working with third-party engineering firms to deliver construction-ready engineering drawings, calculations, and specifications.
- Familiarity with the Distributed Generation (DG) or Community Solar landscape, with an understanding of how it differs from Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and Utility Scale PV.
- Knowledge of utility, state, or regional differences that affect PV project execution.
- Demonstrated leadership or decision-making responsibilities across the permitting, interconnection, construction, and or closeout phases of PV or BESS projects.
- Strong knowledge of relevant design codes, including the National Electric Code (NEC), International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and related standards.
- High proficiency in PVSYST software, with the ability to explain key inputs and outputs for DG, C&I, and or Utility Scale PV systems.
- Strong understanding of power engineering principles related to PV and BESS projects.
- Working knowledge of structural loads in PV and BESS design and common structural mitigation strategies.
- Moderate understanding of civil engineering and construction practices for PV and BESS.
- Basic understanding of overcurrent protective device (OCPD) coordination.
- Familiarity with the design and operation of major PV and BESS components and the ability to review and approve equipment prior to procurement.
- Experience applying value engineering and project optimization techniques to enhance system performance and cost-efficiency.
- Ability to anticipate and address construction challenges during early project phases.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD software.
- Moderate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Strong communication skills to effectively convey technical information and ideas.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with vendors and engineering consultants throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ability to review project drawings for constructability and code-compliance.
- Ability to support training of engineering department personnel and develop design drawing libraries.
- Willingness to perform site visits during construction for project assessment.
- Ability to make decisions on project- and portfolio-level tradeoffs to minimize Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and achieve project objectives.
- Ability to independently develop and defend engineering opinions on PV design aspects including energy modeling, civil, electrical, structural design, PV BESS, etc.
- Ability to lead technical due diligence on grid-tied generation asset designs.
- Ability to support construction from Notice to Proceed (NTP) to Substantial Completion, including resolving RFIs, reviewing submittals, and supporting project closeout.
- Ability to coordinate project-level engineering activities between electrical, civil, SCADA, and design engineering teams.
- Ability to identify, track, and mitigate project risks by maintaining a risk register and communicating risks to stakeholders.
- Commitment to Nexamp’s mission and passion for solving climate change through sustainable energy projects.
Benefits & Perks
Competitive compensation package ranging from $130,000 to $140,000
Participation in incentive programs such as annual bonuses and performance-based incentives
Eligibility to participate in the company's stock option plan
Health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one
401(k) employer-match retirement plan
Flexible paid time off and holiday PTO
Commuter benefits
Cell phone reimbursement
Access to healthy snacks and coffee
Company service days and volunteer opportunities
Company outings
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