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.

Responsibilities

• BESS Platform Development
  • Update and refine EPC contractual agreements and requirements for BESS focused on EPC obligations and division of responsibilities.
  • Evaluate, track, and optimize BESS design to conform to the latest in safety, technology, regulatory, and compliance standards.
  • Quality control 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 given a complex technical, economic, and regulatory environment.
  • Perform as key point of technical contact with customers and build strategic relationships with energy storage equipment and services 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 based on technical and commercial considerations.
  • 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 relevant 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.
  • Support project team with design review process, construction coordination, and commissioning of BESS facilities.
  • Coordinate closed-loop learning of best practices and process improvement given lessons learned.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in BESS engineering, integration, development, and commissioning for utility-scale BESS projects.
• Experience in 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 a variety of 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 in working on a small team in a fast-paced environment and ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of utility equipment specifications.

Qualifications

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

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
• Dependent daycare FSAs
• Commuter benefits
• Relocation assistance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Variety of life and accident insurances
• Fertility programs
• Adoption assistance
• Generous parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships

Schedule

Here at Clearway, we’re committed to balancing flexibility while fostering strong relationships with our teammates. We do this by prioritizing corporate new hires based near one of our offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Scottsdale, Houston, Denver, & Princeton. Our office-based employees typically work together from fabulous spaces on Tuesdays & Thursdays to collaborate & learn, build community, get to know one another, & enjoy company-provided meals & events. Our site-based employees collaborate in-person daily to keep our locations operating safely and efficiently while fostering strong relationships within their local communities.