As a Senior Project Engineer on AES Corporation’s Mega and M&A Engineering team, you will guide design and engineering for utility scale solar PV and energy storage projects from development through construction, while also contributing technical leadership for EPC-related activities and M&A due diligence.
Location
Houston, TX (onsite)
Compensation
USD 113,000 - 141,525 per year
Role Summary
This position provides technical direction for utility scale solar PV and energy storage projects across their full lifecycle. The role also delivers technical inputs supporting EPC pricing, RFPs, permitting, and M&A due diligence. Responsibilities include engineering management, contract documents, technical negotiations, procurement specifications, and technical support during execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support engineering activities across the full project lifecycle, including design development, peer reviews, energy and performance modeling, equipment selection and specifications, and preparation of engineering calculations.
- Provide technical inputs for Engineer Procure Construct (EPC) pricing estimates, RFP responses, permitting applications, design drafting, and technical due diligence for M&A project evaluations.
- Deliver engineering management for development and review of contract documents, participate in technical negotiations, prepare procurement specifications, develop punch lists, and provide ongoing technical support throughout project execution.
- Develop scopes of work and technical contract exhibits.
- Seek and evaluate proposals for engineering services.
- Manage engineering consultants and EPC contractors to develop project construction drawings and supporting materials.
- Perform technical project due diligence and design reviews.
- Coordinate design review feedback with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs).
- Value engineer PV and BESS system designs to improve reliability and reduce overall project cost.
- Establish and review technical specifications for owner furnished equipment in coordination with Procurement and Sourcing.
- Respond to contractor requests for information (RFIs).
- Conduct field quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) checks and develop punch lists.
- Support commissioning activities with internal Technology/Commissioning teams and external stakeholders, review commissioning reports, and analyze system performance.
- Support the Owner’s Engineering team during financing activities and assist Operations/Asset Management teams in resolving technical issues at operating sites.
- Support Development and Project Management teams with budget development and key financial inputs.
- Develop and implement technical solutions for region and market specific requirements in coordination with the Director of Engineering, Mega Projects.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives focused on safe, high-quality, high-performance project development and execution.
- Develop inter-engineering processes to share information and best practices across the team.
- Manage relationships with third-party engineering consultants and firms utilized by the team.
- Mentor and train team members on changing technology trends, best practices, and safety.
- Contribute to AES Clean Energy growth planning through participation in process improvement task forces and other strategic planning activities.
- Perform full technical due diligence and risk assessment for M&A projects, including full project design evaluation to identify red flags and fatal flaws.
- Redesign and update layouts, energy production estimates, EPC cost estimates, and equipment selections.
- Coordinate with an M&A developer to complete necessary RFP response documentation.
- Support select projects up to 30% electrical, civil, structural, and mechanical design scope.
Required Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in Engineering or equivalent technical field.
- 5+ years of professional experience in solar PV system design, development, construction, and analysis (preferred).
- Proficiency in PV system design, including 1-line and 3-line diagram conventions, NEC design requirements, overcurrent protection sizing, utility disconnecting means requirements, equipment selection, grounding methodologies, and short circuit current analysis.
- Experience with medium voltage collector system design.
- Effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Proficiency with MS Office Suite.
- Graduate degree in Engineering.
- PE license.
- PMP Certification.
- NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification.
- 2-5 years of experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) design and modeling.
- Experience with MATLAB, ETAP, SKM, and other advanced modeling tools.
- Substation/HV design experience.
- NFPA 70E, OSHA 10-hr or comparable job-site safety certification.
Technologies
- PVsyst
- AutoCAD
- Civil 3D
- GIS
- MS Office
- SharePoint
- MATLAB
- ETAP
- SKM
- 1-line diagram conventions
- 3-line diagram conventions
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life insurance
- 401(k) eligibility
- Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave)
- Annual bonus
Travel and Additional Work Locations
The role is in Louisville, CO / Houston, TX / Salt Lake City, UT / New York, NY and may include up to 25% travel to project locations and partner offices, including international travel.
