Silicon Ranch Seeks Director, Solar Power Engineering

Job Description – Director, Solar Power Engineering

Position: Director, Solar Power Engineering

Location: Nashville, TN

Overview: We are experiencing significant growth and are looking for the following to join our dynamic and fast-growing team. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, the Director of Solar Power Engineering is the executive who oversees and executes the power plant design activities of the generation engineering team and is responsible for the day to day activities of that group. The Director is responsible for assuring adequate staffing for the execution of projects, which may be compromised of external resources.

Main Responsibilities:

  • Lead all Power Plant Design efforts
  • Energy production and performance modeling for PV and PV+BESS systems
  • Assessment of model accuracy including meteorological assessment and P-50/P-90 analysis Engineering Support
  • Review contracts and summarize electrical system design requirements
  • Review electrical system specifications and drawings to ensure compliance with applicable codes and contracts.
  • Develop engineering execution schedules and assign tasks to appropriate personnel.
  • Provide technical direction to engineers and contractors in the execution of PV design scope on medium and large sized PV projects.
  • Develop and maintain company design and engineering standards.
  • Ensure all work carried out confirms with agreed codes and practices, meets all requirements of the contracts specifications and ensure all work is carried out within agreed schedules, budgets and procedures in a safe manner.
  • Prepare/review load lists, power system studies, single lines, equipment layouts, area classifications, sizing calculations, schematics, equipment specifications, data sheets, requisitions and technical bid analysis.
  • Review and advise on complex engineering, design, analysis or other technical tasks within the electrical discipline utilizing current technology, available standards, calculation software, templates and cataloged products.
  • Review contracts and summarize electrical system design requirements, develop and/or review electrical one-line diagrams and review electrical system studies using ETAP software.
  • Review electrical system specifications and drawings to ensure compliance with applicable codes and contracts.
  • Coordinate with construction and project management groups to ensure cost effective electrical designs.
  • Participate in major equipment selection and technical vetting
  • RFP support services, including proposal design reviews
  • Manage Independent Engineer relationship and address any questions
  • Support review of I&C Block and interconnection diagrams
  • Support review of I&C System specs and drawings to assure compliance with codes and contracts
  • Plan workload and assignments of team members (internal or external).
  • Help manage relationships with outside consultants to integrate into the available capacity of the team.
  • Provide leadership to the commissioning process.

The position will require interaction with clients including: utilities, financial institutions, off-takers, investors, government agencies, and other organizations. Candidate must be capable of working in multi-disciplinary teams, identify and understand client issues, and work collaboratively to develop and communicate creative solutions. The position suits a person with initiative who is prepared to “roll up their sleeves” to get the job done in a high paced, dynamic environment.

Reporting: This position reports to the Chief Technology Officer

Qualifications & Skills:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering; Additional
educational qualifications such PE or MBA desirable.

Required Experience and Skills:

  • 10+ years of relevant work experience
  • Senior level experience with medium to large projects and proven experience leading an electrical engineering team consisting of at least 5 engineers / designers. Must have experience in and be able to estimate man-hours required for completion of work and successfully prioritize and assign work per schedule requirements. The engineer must have recent experience in verifying completeness and quality of work performed.
  • Proficient with AutoCAD (desired), and MS Office.
  • Experience on HV interaction with transmission owners/agencies for design and permitting.
  • Experience with SCADA
  • Experience with design of PV projects, strong technical understanding of solar power systems and solar inverter technologies.
  • Familiar with solar array construction techniques, installation practices and plant start-up requirements.
  • Knowledge of the ANSI, IEEE, IEC, NEC and other industry codes, specifications and standards.
  • Familiar with and able to specify high, medium and low voltage electrical equipment.
  • Experience with Interconnections, and interfacing with utilities.
  • Comfortable presenting to and interacting with consultants, authorities with jurisdiction, and regulatory agencies.
  • Strong leadership skills and experience, with the ability to lead and interact with engineers and designers with clearly established expectations.

Latest News

Sign up to receive information on Silicon Ranch.