Senior Owner’s Engineer

As a member of a multi-functional engineering team, ensures that projects in development meet standards agreed to with financing parties and updates those standards to meet industry standard methodologies . Strong communication and project management skills are required to lead the internal and external engineering resources needed to collect documentation, provide answers to due diligence questions, and ensure that projects meet quality and reliability expectations.

Will be responsible for the user documentation, required site visits, and due diligence reports for photovoltaic, energy storage, wind, and hydroelectric generation facilities from 1 to 1000 MW in capacity.

The successful candidate will have a depth of experience in the design, engineering and analysis of photovoltaic and battery storage systems with transmission-level interconnections as well as an in-depth understanding of the architectures and components to build such systems. Experience in all phases of energy project development is expected, from development to operations.

The position may be based in San Francisco, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, or Louisville, CO, and may include up to 25% travel to project locations and partner offices.

Key Responsibilities

Owner Representation on wind, solar, energy storage and hydroelectric projects while supporting project finance efforts for multiple projects

Promote safety for all projects throughout the team and support to Origination, Development and M&A teams for new and upcoming projects

Review production estimates from (EPC) partners and firms for validity

Ensure quality projects are installed and maintained throughout the portfolio.

Review plans and related user documentation for approval and comment.

Work with construction teams to ensure that all technical and bank requirements are met for project finance and projects meet AES CE standards

Collect, organize, review, distribute Engineering and Construction related work you’re doing to firms for their review, comment and approval. Operate facilities for better efficiency and operational performance

Participate in Root-Cause-Analysis efforts for failed equipment encountered during construction and operation

Work integrally with our Internal Structured Finance team and Independent Engineering firms on technical due diligence for project financing (Tax Equity, Construction Finance and Back-Leverage)

Assist in selection of IE to confirm capabilities and best suited for project technology and project economics.

Review the closing IE report drafts, construction site visit reports, construction supplement reports in conjunction with structured finance to ensure there are no errors or misrepresentation of the facts.

Coordinate directly with the IE and onsite personnel to do construction site visits and Mechanical Completion visits.

Travel to sites throughout the project build-cycle to participate in meetings and inspections/field walks with EPC’s, Independent Engineering representatives, and investors/financiers

It’s expected to have about [10] IE reports per year for utility scale projects and [35] for distributed scale projects. The engineering lead will maintain a schedule of issuances and make sure the IE is on track to deliver reports in a timely manner.

Provide responses for diligence questions of the IE for engineering related items (e.g. designs, commissioning tests, reports, module equipment inspections). Engineer will maintain database for engineering work.

Identify statements of risk in reports and work with Project Engineers/PF team to resolve or bound.

Coordinate bring-downs of production estimates based on IE feedback. Identify differences between equity view and I.E. assumptions, if any. Maintain database of current estimates.

Lead engineering modeling initiatives that relate to the financial model (e.g. inverter reserve assumptions, degradation, tracker reserves, BESS post PPA operating expenses)

Partner with legal and IE on form MC certificates, draw certificates, SC certificates, and reliance letters.

Primary Qualifications

Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or equivalent technical field

5+ years professional experience in solar PV system design, development, and construction

Experience with construction site quality control activities and investor site visits

Experience with debt or tax equity financing practices, terminology, and requirements

Ability to communicate sophisticated technical topics to a non-engineering audience

Project and case management skills including a strong interest in managing and prioritizing multiple projects and deadlines

Comfort with NEC and NESC code, as well as related codes such as IBC, NFPA 855

Strong proficiency with AutoCAD, PVsyst, and Microsoft Excel

“Plus” Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Engineering
• 2+ years of experience in energy storage, wind or hydroelectric design and modeling
• Professional Engineer qualification
• Spanish language skills
• OSHA 10-hr or comparable job-site safety certification

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $115.000 and $144.500/Annual; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements such as annual bonus, in addition to a full range of medical, dental, vision, life, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.