Renewable Senior Performance Engineer

Sargent & Lundy•Chicago, IL

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

Sargent & Lundy's Consulting group is seeking a senior performance engineer with experience performing solar PV energy yield assessments on utility-scale solar projects. This position will specialize in solar PV and battery energy storage performance modeling, with opportunities to expand expertise across CSP, wind, geothermal, simple- and combined-cycle gas, RICE, and fuel cell projects. The role involves building client-facing experience with utilities, developers, IPPs, and data center developers on complex, high-visibility consulting engagements. The position is based on a hybrid work schedule, requiring 3 days per week in the office. In addition to performing PV energy yield assessments, the candidate will support independent engineering and technical due diligence services for project financing or asset acquisition of new solar projects. Common tasks include evaluating solar equipment selections/technologies, project execution plans, project contracts (PPA, EPC, O&M), and reviewing project CAPEX, OPEX, and performance parameters in financial models. Other duties may include preparing and reviewing engineering deliverables, collaborating with teammates, monitoring project schedules and budgets, supporting multiple projects, interfacing with clients, and preparing proposals for new business development. Occasional travel to project locations and client offices may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a science discipline such as chemistry, physics, materials science, or a related field
Comprehensive understanding of solar resource assessment and energy yield prediction methodology
10+ years of experience in the energy industry
Experience in design of utility-scale solar projects
Previous experience as a renewable energy consultant
Experience performing renewable due diligence services
Experience performing uncertainty and statistical data analysis
Proficiency working with data analysis tools
Familiarity with renewable energy project execution and finance
Experience with statistical modeling and data analytics
Excellent verbal/written communication skills
Experience in writing technical reports and proposals
Solid interpersonal skills and ability to work with and guide others
Project planning and leadership skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
Knowledge of NEC, IEEE, UL, and IEC standards related to solar design and performance
Familiarity with inverter/load ratio strategies, bifacial gain considerations, and soiling/loss estimation
Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role

Responsibilities

Perform solar resource assessments considering both satellite-based and ground-based data
Analyze operational production and performance data and climatic data from solar projects
Lead and mentor a team of performance engineers responsible for modeling, design review, and technical optimization across solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects
Conduct long-term solar PV energy production assessments using PVsyst and Excel-based post-processing tools
Primarily focus on utility-scale solar assessments but support work across all scales including residential, commercial, and industrial
Predict energy production
Perform uncertainty analysis to determine probabilities of exceedance (e.g., P90, P95, P99)
Conduct statistical uncertainty analyses, clipping adjusted degradation analysis
Participate in energy yield assessment process improvement initiatives and process validation
Write technical due diligence reports and communicate results to clients and key stakeholders including developers and financiers
Incorporate appropriate PV modeling assumptions and inputs into simulation
Communicate with clients to answer technical questions with regard to solar resource and energy yield
Evaluate solar equipment selections / technologies
Evaluate project execution plans from EPC contractors
Review project contracts including PPA, EPC, and O&M agreements
Review project CAPEX, OPEX, and performance parameters in financial models
Prepare and review engineering deliverables such as reports, studies, and calculations
Collaborate with teammates to define project execution plans
Monitor project schedules and budgets
Support multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring a high quality standard is met
Interface with clients to understand requests and confirm successful project execution
Prepare proposals for new business development opportunities
Travel occasionally to visit project locations and client offices