Senior Power Engineer, Utility Interconnection

About the role

DLB Associates is expanding its energy storage engineering services and is seeking a Senior Power Engineer – Energy Storage to support and help grow this practice. This role is responsible for the engineering delivery of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), microgrid, and other inverter-based resource (IBR) interconnections across utility, renewable, data center, and industrial markets, from concept through construction, commissioning, and energization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an engineering contributor for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects, performing advanced engineering work with general oversight.
• Perform detailed design, analysis, and engineering of BESS, microgrid, and other inverter-based resource (IBR) systems, ensuring compliance with customer requirements, utility requirements, industry standards, codes and regulations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate BESS and IBR designs seamlessly into larger electrical systems, including substation, generation, and grid interconnection infrastructure.
• Support technical scoping, design, and utility/developer coordination for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), microgrid, and other inverter-based resource (IBR) interconnections at the medium- and high-voltage level, including protection philosophy, interconnection studies, and compliance with IEEE 1547 / IEEE 2800.
• Contribute to engineering approaches, design standards, and technical risk management.
• Apply and help maintain engineering standards, design criteria, and quality expectations for energy storage work.
• Support project delivery as engineer of record (or in support of the EOR), contributing to technical accuracy, constructability, and code compliance.
• Support execution of the firm’s client value system and help assure that the project is executed in accordance with company policies and standards.
• Work closely with clients to understand their specific project requirements, provide technical insights, and ensure client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support resolution of design, construction, and field issues, escalating to leadership when business or contractual risk requires involvement.
• Participate in technical reviews, design meetings, and client presentations.
• Prepare project design and construction documents.
• Prepare project progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Update and maintain shop drawing and RFI log.
• Manage personal hours using company tools.
• Identify potential project scope changes and aid in development of strategies to minimize impact and control deviations from estimated costs and project deadlines.

Requirements

• Knowledge of medium- and high-voltage electrical systems including BESS, microgrid, and IBR configurations, protection & control philosophies, and utility-scale grounding and electrical safety design.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable electrical codes and standards, specifically NESC, NEC, NFPA (including NFPA 855 for battery energy storage systems), ANSI, and utility interconnection standards, along with IEEE 1547 and IEEE 2800 (interconnection of inverter-based resources), IEEE 1584 (arc flash), IEEE 519 (harmonics), and IEEE 80 (substation grounding grid design).
• Knowledge of power systems engineering / design software including short-circuit, arc flash, harmonic, and power flow analysis tools (e.g., ETAP, SKM, or ASPEN), equipment sizing, and EMT/transient simulation (e.g., PSCAD or equivalent).
• Strong working knowledge of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), microgrids, and inverter-based resource (IBR) interconnection requirements, including protection coordination, anti-islanding/transfer trip schemes, and utility interconnection processes (LGIA/SGIA).
• Hands-on experience with protective relay platforms (e.g., SEL or equivalent), including settings development, coordination, and field commissioning support.
• Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, and contribute to company-wide innovation.
• Ability to work successfully in a remote environment through effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness and resourcefulness in a distraction free workspace.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences and serve as a client-facing point of contact.