Manager, Systems Engineering - Renewable Energy

About the role

Manager, Systems Engineering – Renewable Energy. Primary location San Diego, CA (also considered: Houston, TX and Denver, CO). The role leads technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies across utility‑scale renewable energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), hybrid generation, microgrid (BTM data centers/green hydrogen), and emerging distributed energy projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical due diligence for solar PV, BESS, hybrid renewable, microgrid (BTM data centers/green hydrogen), and other emerging energy infrastructure projects.
• Perform independent assessment of project design, technology selection, engineering assumptions, and execution plans.
• Identify and quantify technical, operational, commercial, and contractual risks throughout project lifecycles.
• Develop risk registers and mitigation plans for developers, EPC contractors, lenders, investors, and asset owners.
• Review project permits, equipment specifications, EPC agreements, O&M contracts, and performance guarantees.
• Evaluate project bankability and financing readiness from an engineering perspective.
• Prepare lender‑required independent engineering reports and technical advisory reports.
• Serve as technical lead and owner’s representative during project development, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations.
• Evaluate and validate EPC contractor designs and technical deliverables.
• Review engineering drawings, studies, calculations, and equipment specifications.
• Monitor construction progress and identify execution risks.
• Support factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and commissioning activities.
• Develop and validate energy yield assessments and production forecasts.
• Perform independent checks of contractor‑provided models and assumptions.
• Support revenue‑risk assessments and merchant exposure analysis.
• Analyze dispatch strategies and revenue optimization assumptions.
• Assess BESS technology selection, degradation, augmentation strategies, and lifecycle performance.
• Review battery warranties, performance guarantees, and long‑term operating risks.
• Perform independent verification of system sizing and operational modeling.
• Develop data‑driven methodologies for project risk identification and asset performance monitoring.
• Build Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions to streamline technical reviews, engineering knowledge management, and project intelligence workflows.
• Utilize machine learning, AI, and predictive analytics to identify project and operational risks.
• Develop automated engineering assessment and due‑diligence tools.
• Support digital transformation initiatives within renewable energy advisory services.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in renewable energy engineering, technical advisory, owner’s engineering, or independent engineering roles.
• Experience supporting utility‑scale solar PV, BESS, wind, and hybrid projects.
• Proven experience performing lender’s technical due diligence and bankability assessments.
• Experience supporting projects through development, construction, commissioning, and operations.
• Strong understanding of project financing, EPC contracting, and project risk management.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Flexibility to work varied schedules, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt quickly in a pressure environment.
• Ability to travel occasionally as project requirements dictate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Renewable Energy Modeling: PVsyst, NREL System Advisor Model (SAM).
• Battery Energy Storage Analytics: Storlytics.
• Programming & Data Analytics: Python, R.
• Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture development.
• Large Language Model (LLM) integration.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid vacation (or other personal time).
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and attendance at naturalization proceedings.
• Comprehensive suite of health and financial stability benefits throughout the employee’s career.

Pay

Expected salary (all locations): $119,600 – $213,200.

Expected salary (Colorado only): $111,200 – $186,100.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, a global engineering and professional services firm. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 U.S. offices, WSP designs lasting solutions in buildings, transportation, energy, water, and environment markets. The firm offers a flexible, agile workplace model and a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on health and financial stability.