Job Description

Urban Grid is a utility scale renewable energy project developer, with over a decade of expertise in taking solar and energy storage projects through the full development process, from site acquisition through interconnection, permitting, offtake execution and project exit. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia–with teams located strategically throughout the United States, Urban Grid has provided utilities and corporate clients with reliable clean energy. We are actively developing a growing portfolio of approximately 13,000 megawatts of solar PV and 7,000 megawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage, throughout 12 states in support of America’s transition to clean, sustainable power. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com.

Urban Grid is a Brookfield Renewable company. Brookfield Renewable operates one of the world’s largest publicly traded, pure-play renewable power platforms.

Job Summary

Urban Grid is looking for an experienced and motivated Photo Voltaic (PV) Solar System Electrical Design Engineer (PV Engineer) to join our team. The successful candidate will be a key member of the Engineering team and participate in engineering, designing, drafting, and developing utility-scale PV Solar Power Plants. The Photovoltaics (PV) Engineer role at Urban Grid will entail the production of detailed design drawings of renewable energy power plants along with the demonstrated ability to work in a team setting with multiple concurrent deadlines. The successful candidate will maintain computer aided drafting (CAD) standards and will continuously develop new tools and creative techniques to ensure Urban Grid maintains its competitive place in the renewables sector. Urban Grid is seeking a self-managed team-player with excellent technical skills and CAD design capabilities to support projects from development stage through the Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) stage and onward to project final completion and operations and maintenance (O&M).

The PV Engineer will focus on creating site development layouts but will also include a variety of technical tasks. These tasks could include building 3D models of a solar racking and solar power plants but could also be as routine as developing CAD standards or conducting site research in preparation for design. The successful candidate should be excited to participate in the design of a site, including site research, working with outside consultants and vendors, and contributing to the entire process of bringing a site from concept to construction.

Roles And Responsibilities

• PV Engineer (PVE) is responsible for taking PV Solar Projects from pre-development to late stage development phase, then followed by EPC phase through project final completion and closeout. Also, assist in developing estimates and bid packages for EPC bid solicitation, bid review, and bid award.
• At project development stage PVE will Collect and Interpret data (including desktop data), surveys, maps, plans, schematics, and satellite images to identify buildable and exclusion areas, and optimize solar array physical and electrical configuration and layout.
• At EPC stage PVE will work as liaison between the Owner’s engineer and EPC engineering to make sure EPC complies with all contractual obligations, local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements, follows standard engineering and design practices, and meets code requirements.
• Interpret and understand geotechnical data and site electrical resistivity report and identify risks and issues caused by, but not limited to, shallow bedrock, excessive slope, wetland, storm water measures and setback requirements.
• Provide recommendations and/or mitigation measures to resolve any or all risks and issues. Work with engineering consultants and Owner’s engineers, as necessary.
• Maintain familiarity with utility-scale products, equipment, and their specifications. Stay up to date with latest technology available from supply chain and manufacturer. Determine latest technology that can be applied to optimize design and yet meet project’s Commercial Operation Date (COD).
• Design PV solar plant site layouts utilizing site GIS information and Civil 3D CAD.
• Develop single line diagrams from PV modules to the POI with Utility/Grid transmission line. Also, develop three-line diagrams, as needed basis.
• Prepare appropriately detailed mechanical and electrical drawings as needed to create streamlined communication with permitting agencies, contractors, and utilities. Also, make sure EPC acquires all drawing and building permits from County and AHJ in timely manner.
• Must be self-motivated and be able to work both individually and/or in collaborative team environment with very little supervision.
• Take on multiple projects at one time, shift priorities in moment’s notice, support other team members, mentor others, and be willing to travel to meet business needs.
• Interface with and support the internal Project Management, Site Acquisition, Project Development, Sales, Supply Chain, Technology, and Interconnection teams.
  
  

Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with minimum 3+ years of experience in electrical engineering and design of large utility scale PV Solar Systems, preferably 50 MW and above.
• Must have experience in electrical systems design and PV site layout using CAD tools. Working knowledge of Civil 3D is a must. PVcase knowledge is preferred, but not required.
• Must be able to run PVSyst and 8760 to calculate energy production to validate the site layout.
• Must have working knowledge of both DC and three-phase AC electric system engineering and large-scale solar design concepts.
• Must be proficient in Google Earth, KMZ file, PVsyst, and Microsoft Office tools.
• Having working knowledge of Substation, Switchyard and Battery Storage design, and utility interconnection is preferred, but not required.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be able to coordinate and communicate work with multiple disciplines, organizations, agencies, vendors, and contractors.
• Must have strong organizational capacity to simultaneously manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and be able to quickly adapt to changes and shift priorities to meet project needs and deadline.
• Lead weekly progress meetings with EPC, Engineering Consultants, and/or Owner’s Engineers. Also, provide technical guidance, resolve issues, document progress, and provide project status updates.
• Ability to travel and access sites of varying terrain.
  
  

Location: Remote working is acceptable for this role. Position may require periodic trips to Richmond, VA for team meetings or site visits to support engineering and development activities.

Travel: Occasional travel.

Benefits

Urban Grid offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance and short-term disability, voluntary life, and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and a retirement plan with matching. Full-time position with a competitive compensation package, including bonus. more