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

ABOUT AVANTUS

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 POSITION

The Engineer or Senior Engineer, Development Engineer ing 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 successful candidate will review preliminary layouts and capacity analyses performed by the junior engineers, providing feedback and mentoring. The role requires significant cross-functional internal and external coordination. This position will report to the Director , Development Engineering .

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND 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

Help support utility crossing agreements by developing or reviewing MV and road crossing designs.

Be the overall technical leader on the project constraints, flagging items of concern to the development, permitting, and land teams as necessary.

Siting

Support in reviewing potential sites and assisting in pros/cons, impactful conditions (slopes, land features, soiling, structural), and other land considerations to help prioritize broader team to our most competitive sites.

Consider site/county/regional differences allowing for realistic guidance on land purchasing/leasing from site to site

Assess and filter site considerations quicker/more accurately (i.e. can eliminate ‘deal breaker’ conditions earlier) to help allow team to assess things faster and more efficiently

Review junior engineers’ early stage layouts to help assess how land feature may reduce buildable land and/or change the project size, production, or land required.

Coordination with project engineering

Ensure engineering project info is documented and organized on sharepoint

Verify completeness of site constraints and ensure they are ready to be provided 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 EPC design phase.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICAT IONS

BS in STEM field, Civil Engineering preferred

Commercially-minded engineer who can dive into details, but can see how design considerations impact bigger picture (doesn’t lose the forest in the trees)

4+ years prior engineering experience in the utility scale solar industry

Proficiency in AutoCAD

Knowledge of PVCase or PVFarm or other modeling tools preferred, but not required

Ability to truly evaluate new technology – layout and design considerations to modules, trackers, storage, land use, etc.

#LI-Hybrid

Avantus offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package, including 401(k) matching ; comprehensive medical and dental plan options; and flexible PTO. We are an equal-opportunity employer.

The base salary range for this full-time position is listed below (plus bonus and benefits). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the applicable location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus and benefits.

Pay Range

$113,000 — $145,000 USD