Solar Development Engineer Lead

Overview:

Deriva Energy is a leading Independent Power Producer in the US renewables market, with over 6.5GW of operating or under construction wind, solar and storage projects across the country. Formerly a division of Duke Energy, Deriva is now backed by Brookfield Renewable and is poised for dynamic growth across its wind, solar, and storage portfolios . Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation who envision a future of energy independence using resilient, carbon-free generation. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. Deriva empowers customers with innovative clean energy solutions that strengthen communities and serve future generations.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Development Engineering, the Solar Development Engineering Manager is responsible for leading engineering and technical scope for greenfield and M&A solar projects. This role involves managing internal and external personnel to provide optimized plant designs, cost estimates, interconnection analysis, and schedules for utility-scale Solar. Applicants are expected to have strong technical and commercial experience with utility-scale solar energy systems as well as strong understanding of project estimating, project management, and utility interconnection.

Responsibilities:

• Lead engineering support for solar projects modeling, construction, and interconnection for utility scale non-regulated projects nationwide.
• Lead capital cost estimating, contract structuring, permitting, interconnection, use-case analysis, and financial optimization of solar projects.
• Lead acquisition diligence efforts by overseeing the technical evaluation and due diligence process for potential project acquisitions, ensuring thorough assessment and mitigation of technical risks
• Utilize knowledge of renewable energy facilities, utility interconnection requirements, control schemes, and energy contracting to evaluate, identify, and mitigate commercial risks associated with proposed project designs.
• Lead interactions with key internal business unit stakeholders including Development, Finance, Marketing, Project Management and Construction (PMC), Supply Chain, IT, and Health & Safety, among others.
• Manage third-party consultants to address full scope of development process - due diligence fatal flaw analysis, resource assessment, site control, legal, interconnection, community and government affairs, permitting, marketing, construction support, and project finance
• Provides engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis and resolution of high impact, complex and/or cross-functional problems at a corporate or industry level in engineering.
• Ensures accomplishment of business goals and objectives through effective planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling and monitoring of work activities where little to no standardization exists; handles unique situations which require searching for solutions which may have corporate or industry impact.
• Prepares thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations and sketches with the ability to conduct analysis and recommend process enhancements and standards relative to a corporate or industry level in engineering.
• Conducts engineering and related studies with full technical responsibility for planning and coordinating high-impact complex projects; applies extensive technical expertise to manage projects and disseminate knowledge to enhance the company's competitive position.
• Prepares thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations and sketches with the ability to conduct analysis and recommend process enhancements and standards relative to a corporate or industry level in engineering.

Basic/Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering obtained from an ABET accredited program
• In addition to required degree, minimum five (5) years relevant work experience

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters or P.E. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil engineering is preferred
• Minimum seven (7) years relevant work experience to include five years or more of energy industry experience, including more than two years of direct EPC experience in solar and/or energy storage projects.
• Applicant must have experience managing projects from initial design through execution and into construction
• Experience in with early, mid, and late-stage project acquisition diligence
• Understanding of project design and optimization tradeoffs, market trends, equipment suppliers, and costs.
• Familiarity with project financing and independent engineer requirements.
• Experience in reviewing and negotiating EPC contracts and technical exhibits.
• Proven ability to manage consultants and contractors.
• Working knowledge of relevant US and IEC equipment standards, codes, and construction practices.
• Experience with solar computer design tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArgGIS, PVCase
• Experience with photovoltaic performance modeling tools (preferably PVSyst).
• Experience in permitting processes with local authorities having jurisdiction, preferred.

Working Conditions:

This role is intended to be located at the Deriva Headquarters office in Charlotte, NC. Strategic locations in certain regions may also be considered for more experienced candidates. The office position is hybrid.

Up to 15-25% travel should be anticipated

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Attractive Bonus Potential

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $111,430.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Charlotte, NC 28205 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Charlotte, NC 28205: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $111,430 - $150,000