Senior Solar Design Engineer [Remote]

At EDF power solutions North America, the Distribution-Scale Power team is a leading provider of customized PV, BESS, and Substations in the United States, with a proven track record of developing over 1,600 MW of renewable energy capacity. We specialize in delivering efficient and cost-effective development, engineering, construction, and operations tailored for utilities, cooperatives, landowners, communities, and institutions, anywhere from 2-200MW+. With more than 20 years of industry experience, our collaborative team provides value at every phase of the project lifecycle, utilizing expertise in permitting, development, EPC, financing, QA/QC, and SCADA systems to offer comprehensive turnkey solutions.

 Joining the DSP team means working on impactful projects in a fast-paced and efficient environment while contributing to the advancement of renewable energy in a diverse setting.

 Be a part of an innovative and collaborative team environment that fosters our goal of delivering renewable solutions to lead the transition to a sustainable energy future.

We are seeking an experienced, highly self-directed Senior Solar Design Engineer with a strong technical background in solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) who can take ownership of engineering deliverables and operate effectively with a high degree of autonomy.

This position requires a high level of working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), renewable energy electrical design, and industry design best practices. The successful candidate should be able to independently evaluate engineering problems, make sound technical decisions, identify design and constructability issues, and drive projects forward without requiring extensive day-to-day direction.

Our company operates in a fast-moving, deadline-driven environment with high expectations for technical quality, accuracy, responsiveness, and accountability. Project schedules can be aggressive and priorities may change quickly. The successful candidate must be comfortable managing multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining the quality and attention to detail expected of professional engineering work.

• →Prepare engineering deliverables, including plan and elevation drawings, schematics, and calculations in support of PV (photovoltaic) energy generation system design, for commercial and utility projects in the 2 to 200MW scale. Review and revise engineering deliverables prepared by others. Develop designs in consideration of company safety program and OSHA safety requirements for construction and system operation.
• →Conduct site assessments, prepare energy models and conceptual design deliverables in support of business development and new product/vendor integration.
• →Communications with Project Managers, who coordinate scheduling and permitting for project execution.
• →Create, organize, and maintain documents associated with projects’ basis of design throughout the project life cycle; assist the business development team in identifying key project design risks and enabling effective decisions.
• →Implement strategies for integration of new tools, new products, new vendors, code changes, and best practices, and disseminate to internal departments as needed.

• →Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Most work time will be spent in an office environment, but occasional site visits may be performed. Significant time spent on the phone and working on computer.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical or electrical engineering required.
• Minimum of ten years’ relevant design experience, particularly including experience in designing mechanical or electrical systems or electrical systems for construction; commercial PV design preferred.
• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certificate.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PRE) preferred
• NABCEP certified
• Experience with industry standard PV systems and energy modeling tools.

• Application and interpretation of the NEC, applicable to PV, energy storage, interconnected power production sources, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, conductor sizing, and electrical equipment preferred.
• Experience with:
• Solar PV and BESS electrical system design, including DC and AC collection systems, inverter and PCS selection, transformers, switchgear, switchboards, and associated balance-of-system equipment.
• Medium-voltage electrical systems, including MV collection systems, feeder design, conductor and cable sizing, voltage drop, equipment selection, and system configuration.
• Development and review of single-line diagrams, electrical plans, equipment layouts, wiring and interconnection details, specifications, calculations, and construction/IFC drawing packages.
• Equipment ratings, available fault current, protection requirements, grounding, and coordination with system studies.
• Utility interconnection requirements and coordination with utilities, AHJs, equipment manufacturers, and other project stakeholders.
• Designing systems with consideration for constructability, equipment availability, cost, schedule, commissioning, and long-term operation and maintenance, rather than approaching engineering solely as a code-compliance exercise.
• Substation engineering experience is highly desirable, particularly experience with renewable-energy collector substations, MV/HV equipment, transformers, breakers, protection and control systems, grounding, relaying, and utility interconnection facilities.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities –

Requires knowledge of:

• National Electric Code and other model codes
• Project management experience
• Computer-based drafting experience (AutoCAD) 

This position is particularly well suited for an engineer who:

• Takes ownership of their projects and engineering deliverables.
• Can independently manage their workload, priorities, and deadlines.
• Has strong knowledge of the NEC and understands how to apply it to real-world solar and BESS installations.
• Has strong electrical engineering fundamentals and exercises sound engineering judgment.
• Is comfortable working with medium-voltage systems and complex renewable-energy electrical infrastructure.
• Has substation experience or is capable of effectively coordinating with substation and utility engineers.
• Can identify technical, constructability, and coordination issues before they become field problems.
• Understands that a successful design must work not only on paper, but also during procurement, construction, commissioning, and operation.
• Communicates proactively and does not wait for others to identify problems or determine the next step.
• Can communicate technical concepts to non-technical people effectively.
• Can manage multiple simultaneous projects in an environment with tight deadlines and high expectations for performance.
• Works effectively with engineers as well as project managers, construction personnel, vendors, utilities, and other stakeholders.
• Is comfortable being accountable for the quality and completeness of their engineering work.
• Combination of technical knowledge with practical engineering judgment, ownership, and execution.

Physical Requirements: 

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. on occasion.

Working Conditions: Most work time will be spent in an office environment, but occasional site visits may be performed.  Significant time spent on the phone and working on computer.