Director of Optimization Engineering

Adapture Renewables•Oakland, CA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Adapture Renewables, Inc. is a leader in sustainable energy, developing, financing, engineering, building, owning, and operating utility-scale photovoltaic and battery energy storage projects. The Engineering team is seeking a Director of Optimization Engineering to support the company's growth. This role reports to the Sr. Director of Engineering and is responsible for the technical strategy to optimize hybrid and collocated utility-scale solar and battery energy storage (BESS) systems. The goal is to drive energy production, capture, storage efficiency, and load-matching across Adapture Renewable’s multi-GW development pipeline. This is a strategic role that involves setting the optimization vision, defining success criteria, and building a team of engineers. Collaboration with Development, Interconnection & Transmission, Asset Management, and Power Marketing is essential. The position is ideally based in the San Francisco Bay Area (hybrid), with remote options for exceptional candidates.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, energy, or systems engineering, or an equivalent quantitative discipline.
8+ years in renewable energy, with hands-on experience designing and optimizing utility-scale solar.
Demonstrated BESS experience (sizing, dispatch optimization, degradation, or performance modeling).
3+ years leading and developing technical teams, with a track record of setting vision and delivering results.
Deep fluency in PV performance modeling (PVSyst or equivalent), including P50/P90 yield estimation and loss/availability analysis.
Strong PV and BESS electrical engineering foundation: inverters and DC/AC conversion, EMS configuration, state-of-charge limits, and round-trip efficiency.
Working command of dispatch/arbitrage optimization (linear programming or comparable methods) and the data analytics behind battery control strategies.
Proven ability to translate models and data into prioritized, economically grounded recommendations for engineers, executives, and owners.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree a plus.
Python (SciPy or similar solvers), MATLAB, and SQL experience.
SCADA/EMS and OT data architecture experience.
Familiarity with BESS warranty and capacity-guarantee structures.
Working knowledge of interconnection and market context (PPA structures, curtailment, ancillary services).
PE license a plus.
Ability to travel occasionally to project sites and the Bay Area office.

Responsibilities

Own the engineering roadmap for hybrid solar-plus-storage optimization, including system sizing, configuration, and dispatch strategy.
Define KPIs and initiatives that link design choices to energy yield and financial return.
Govern PV performance modeling standards (PVSyst), including P50/P90 production estimates, degradation profiles, and loss/availability frameworks.
Model and optimize combined PV and BESS output to serve large-load customers through front-of-meter and co-located behind-the-meter designs.
Set the engineering basis for battery dispatch and energy-arbitrage strategy using linear-programming methods, in coordination with Power Marketing.
Establish standards for solar/BESS sizing, EMS configuration, DC/AC ratios, ground coverage ratios, state-of-charge limits, and round-trip efficiency.
Ensure designs meet utility and interconnection requirements and SCADA/EMS protocols, partnering with Interconnection & Transmission and IT.
Direct root-cause analysis of operating-fleet underperformance (soiling, availability, equipment faults, clipping, degradation, capacity fade) and integrate findings into design and procurement.
Hire, develop, and lead the optimization engineering team, including the Manager of Optimization Engineering.
Deliver design and performance recommendations to Engineering leadership and ownership.