Senior Electrical Engineer - Solar PV & Battery Energy Storage Systems

Timmons Group•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

Timmons Group is seeking an experienced Senior Electrical Engineer to join its Energy team supporting utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. The role serves as a senior technical resource for electrical engineering and design of utility-scale PV and BESS facilities, from conceptual and preliminary design through issued-for-construction (IFC) documents and construction support. The work focuses on electrical system design, engineering calculations, equipment application, technical review, and multidisciplinary coordination, with an emphasis on medium-voltage power systems and independent development and review of complex electrical designs. The engineer will also provide technical guidance to other engineers and designers. The position includes engineering PV and BESS electrical systems; developing electrical drawings, specifications, calculations, and construction documents; evaluating and reviewing equipment and vendor information; coordinating with other engineering disciplines and project stakeholders; and supporting construction and commissioning. The role includes senior-level technical reviews, issue resolution, mentorship, and continuous improvement of design standards and QA/QC practices. Timmons Group is a full-service engineering and technology firm with 22 offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and South Central United States. The company provides civil engineering, environmental, economic development, GIS/geospatial technology, landscape architecture, and surveying services. It describes itself as an employer of choice offering resources, technology, and a culture intended to support career development.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an accredited engineering program.
Minimum of 7 years of electrical engineering experience, with progressively increasing technical responsibility.
Demonstrated electrical engineering experience with utility-scale solar PV, BESS, power generation, substations, industrial power systems, or other medium- and high-voltage power systems.
Strong working knowledge of medium-voltage power distribution and collection systems.
Experience developing and reviewing electrical calculations, one-line diagrams, equipment layouts, collection systems, grounding systems, cable schedules, wiring diagrams, specifications, and construction documents.
Working knowledge of transformers, switchgear, breakers, reclosers, disconnect switches, inverters, PCS equipment, cables, conductors, and grounding systems.
Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles and applicable industry codes and standards.
Ability to independently develop technical solutions and exercise sound engineering judgment.
Ability to review engineers’ and designers’ work and provide clear technical direction.
Strong technical communication skills and ability to coordinate effectively with other engineering disciplines, equipment vendors, contractors, and clients.
High energy, creativity, flexibility, patience, and self-starting approach, with willingness to work at a dynamic pace.
Commitment to the company’s Vision, Mission, and Shared Values.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
Direct electrical engineering experience with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS projects.
Experience designing projects from conceptual engineering through IFC design and construction support.
Experience with 34.5 kV or similar medium-voltage collector systems.
Experience with both underground and overhead medium-voltage collection systems.
Detailed knowledge of PV inverters, BESS PCS equipment, battery systems, medium-voltage transformers, switchgear, reclosers, and associated electrical balance-of-system equipment.
Experience performing or reviewing load flow, short-circuit, cable ampacity, and grounding studies; voltage-drop calculations; and equipment-duty evaluations.
Experience with industry-standard electrical analysis tools such as ETAP, CYMCAP, or equivalent power-system modeling software.
Experience applying the National Electrical Code (NEC), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), IEEE standards, and applicable utility requirements to renewable-energy projects.
Experience coordinating electrical designs with substation, utility interconnection, protection and controls, SCADA, civil, structural, and transmission engineering disciplines.
Experience providing technical mentorship and reviewing the work of junior electrical engineers and designers.

Responsibilities

Perform and lead electrical engineering and design for utility-scale PV and BESS projects from conceptual design through IFC documents and construction support.
Develop and review one-line and three-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, equipment layouts, grounding plans, cable schedules, details, specifications, and construction documents.
Design PV electrical systems, including DC collection, module stringing, DC conductor sizing, inverters, inverter loading and DC/AC configuration, low-voltage AC systems, medium-voltage collection, grounding and bonding, auxiliary power, and electrical balance-of-system equipment.
Design BESS electrical systems, including battery and PCS interfaces, PCS and inverter configurations, medium-voltage transformers, switchgear and switchboards, medium-voltage collection, station and auxiliary power, grounding and bonding, and electrical balance-of-system equipment.
Develop underground and overhead medium-voltage collection systems, including configuration, routing, conductor and cable sizing, equipment locations, pole layouts, risers, and overhead-to-underground transitions.
Perform and review electrical engineering calculations and studies, including conductor sizing, ampacity and thermal analysis, voltage drop, load flow, short circuit, grounding, equipment ratings and application, transformer sizing, auxiliary loads, and AC/DC losses.
Develop electrical equipment requirements and technical specifications for inverters, PCS equipment, transformers, switchgear, reclosers, breakers, disconnects, cables, conductors, and other major equipment.
Review manufacturer drawings, equipment data sheets, technical submittals, and vendor documentation for compliance with project requirements.
Evaluate equipment configurations and electrical design alternatives and recommend options based on performance, constructability, reliability, and cost.
Coordinate electrical interfaces with substations, gen-tie systems, utility interconnections, protection and controls, SCADA/communications systems, and other project infrastructure.
Coordinate electrical designs with civil, structural, geotechnical, substation, transmission, and other engineering disciplines.
Apply electrical codes, standards, utility requirements, and project-specific technical requirements to designs.
Perform senior-level technical reviews of electrical calculations, drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, studies, and other engineering deliverables.
Participate in design reviews and ensure electrical designs are complete, coordinated, constructable, and technically sound.
Identify and resolve complex electrical design issues during engineering and construction.
Respond to RFIs, review electrical submittals, and provide technical support during construction and commissioning.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to electrical engineers and designers.
Assist with developing and continuously improving electrical design standards, calculation templates, design tools, details, specifications, and QA/QC procedures.