Principal BESS Engineer

Reporting to the Sr. Manager of BESS Engineering, the Principal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Engineer is responsible for preliminary engineering, fire safety engineering, technical specifications, system optimization, and procurement support for stand-alone, hybrid, and co-located BESS facilities. This role will help deliver optimized BESS solutions and work with project teams, external engineering teams, vendors, third parties, and consultants to advance a multi-gigawatt, globally competitive project pipeline. This hybrid role is located in one of our offices in Scottsdale, AZ (preferred), San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Houston, TX, or Denver, CO.

Responsibilities

• BESS Platform Development
  • Update and refine EPC contractual agreements and requirements for BESS, focusing on EPC obligations and division of responsibilities.
  • Evaluate, track, and optimize BESS design to conform to the latest safety, technology, regulatory, and compliance standards.
  • Perform quality control for BESS engineering, design, product validation, EPC touchpoints, and division of responsibilities.
  • Provide BESS subject matter expertise to project teams through origination, development, design, construction, and commissioning.
  • Develop consensus on optimal BESS design and operational strategies with Clearway’s Development, Construction, and Operations organizations.
  • Serve as the key technical point of contact with customers and build strategic relationships with energy storage equipment and service suppliers.
  • Develop and maintain tools optimizing BESS sizing, auxiliary loads, and augmentation.
• BESS Development Engineering
  • Generate BESS system design requirements from project requirements originating in PPA, IA, and other applicable agreements.
  • Assess a range of BESS system designs based on project-specific constraints and propose optimal solutions.
  • Establish hardware and software control requirements for market applications, including utility and ISO compliance requirements.
  • Review and negotiate the technical requirements and performance guarantees in offtake agreements.
  • Develop BESS CapEx, auxiliary load, and augmentation assumptions for financial modeling and underwriting.
• BESS Project Engineering & Strategic Procurement Support
  • Technically qualify new vendors and products in internal due diligence processes.
  • Maintain and update technical specifications used in supply contracts.
  • Support Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) teams during the request for quote phase of projects in development.
  • Support technical coordination, RFIs, and DOR between BESS supplier and EPC contractor.
  • Support permitting and fire safety compliance requirements.
  • Assist project teams with design review, construction coordination, and commissioning of BESS facilities.
  • Coordinate closed-loop learning of best practices and process improvement based on lessons learned.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in BESS engineering, integration, development, and commissioning for utility-scale BESS projects.
• Experience writing technical specifications, performance requirements, and technical reports.
• Ability to effectively write and verbally communicate technical information.
• Knowledge of electrical standards (UL/IEEE), fire safety codes and standards, National Electrical Code, and interconnection standards.
• Familiarity with technical communications protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus/TCP, etc.) and controls software/hardware platforms.
• Familiarity or experience with energy market applications and telemetry requirements.
• Knowledge of Power Plant Controller, Energy Management Systems (EMS), Battery Management Systems (BMS), and utility communication systems, including SCADA.
• Basic software programming skills, especially MS Excel and Python.
• Familiarity with energy storage product safety standards, tests, and certifications such as NFPA codes and standards (855, 72, 68, 69), UL1973, and UL9540/A.
• Proficiency working on a small team in a fast-paced environment and ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of utility equipment specifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in utility electrical power system projects or distributed energy resource projects.

Clearway will not sponsor non-immigrant visas for this position (H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.).

Pay

Salary Range Across all U.S. Locations: $140,000—$195,000 USD. This role is eligible to earn an annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals.

Benefits

Clearway offers all eligible employees working 20+ hours per week a comprehensive menu of benefits:

• Generous PTO.
• Medical, dental, and vision care.
• HSAs with company contributions.
• Health FSAs and dependent daycare FSAs.
• Commuter benefits and relocation assistance.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Variety of life and accident insurances.
• Fertility programs and adoption assistance.
• Generous parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role. Office-based employees typically work together in-office on Tuesdays and Thursdays for collaboration, learning, community-building, and company-provided meals and events.