Sr. Engineer, Development Engineering (Utility-Scale Solar)

About the Company

Avantus develops, owns and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. Our development pipeline of solar with integrated storage will generate enough dispatchable power to serve more than 10 million Americans, day and night. Backed by strategic investment from KKR and EIG, and building on more than a decade of industry leadership, Avantus is growing its position as an independent power producer, delivering affordable, reliable clean energy solutions to meet America’s growing energy demand.

About the Role

The Senior Engineer, Development Engineering is responsible for developing the site constraints for early to late-stage development projects. They will act as the technical lead for engineering studies and will coordinate cross-functionally with the development, permitting, and land team to ensure the constraints reflect the latest updates. They will work on 5-10 projects concurrently, in various stages of development. The Sr. Engineer will review preliminary layouts and capacity analyses performed by junior engineers, providing feedback and mentoring. The role requires significant cross-functional internal and external coordination. This position will report to the Sr. Manager, Development Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Constraints Development
  • Create and take ownership of project CAD constraints, updating throughout the development cycle with inputs from cross-functional teams such as Land Acquisition, Permitting, Optimization, and Development.
  • Kick off and manage engineering-related studies with consultants (hydro, geotech, topo, grading/drainage design).
  • Work with HV engineering team for substation placement and gen tie constraints.
  • Support utility crossing agreements by developing or reviewing MV and road crossing designs.
  • Act as the overall technical leader on the project constraints, flagging items of concern to the development, permitting, and land teams as necessary.
• Siting Support
  • Review potential sites and assist in evaluating pros/cons, impactful conditions (slopes, land features, soiling, structural), and other land considerations to help prioritize competitive sites.
  • Consider site/county/regional differences to provide realistic guidance on land purchasing/leasing.
  • Assess and filter site considerations quickly and accurately (e.g., eliminate ‘deal breaker’ conditions earlier) to improve team efficiency.
  • Review junior engineers’ early-stage layouts to assess how land features may reduce buildable land or change project size, production, or land required.
• Coordination with Project Engineering
  • Ensure engineering project information is documented and organized on SharePoint.
  • Verify completeness of site constraints and ensure they are ready for EPC RFP.
  • Provide project support during the EPC design phase.
  • Collaborate with project engineers on potential value engineering opportunities (grading, pile design, electrical design, etc.) during the EPC design phase.

Requirements

• BS in STEM field, Civil Engineering preferred.
• Commercially-minded engineer who can dive into details but also see how design considerations impact the bigger picture.
• 4+ years of prior engineering experience in the utility-scale solar industry.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of PVCase, PVFarm, or other modeling tools preferred but not required.
• Ability to evaluate new technology—layout and design considerations for modules, trackers, storage, land use, etc.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching.
• Comprehensive medical and dental plan options.
• Flexible PTO.

Pay

The base salary range for this full-time position is $115,000—$130,000 USD (plus bonus and benefits). Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location, with individual pay based on job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.