Sr. Engineer, Project Development M&A

Leeward Renewable Energy•Chicago, IL

About The Position

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is forging an American energy future with integrity, innovation, and positive impact. Born in Texas in 2003, we own and operate over 30 utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects in local communities across the United States, totaling 4 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity. LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through our robust pipeline of new projects every year. Domestic jobs and manufacturing are fundamental to our full-lifecycle approach to projects, along with a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the natural environment. The Sr. Project Development Engineer is responsible for the engineering and technical aspects of wind, solar, and energy storage utility-scale M&A projects during commercial transaction periods until the handoff to execution. This role will provide engineering leadership to support M&A transactions and ensures thorough evaluation of M&A projects through engineering due diligence and preliminary design work. The Sr. Project Development Engineer plays a key role in optimizing the projects to ensure they are marketable and ready for execution while maintaining quality consistent with LRE’s long-term ownership focus. The position emphasizes collaboration and proactive risk management to inform the LRE pipeline and set the stage for future project success.

Requirements

4-Year Bachelors Engineering Degree
6+ years of relevant technical experience including project development, permitting, conceptual and detailed engineering design, project engineering, scope preparation, scheduling, cost estimating, procurement, and contracts
5+ years development engineering experience in renewable energy industry
Takes ownership and oversight of projects and tasks with complex issues
Proficient in some of the following: AutoCAD, PVsyst, PlantPredict, PVFarm, Openwind, and other automated layout/optimization tools
Understanding of M&A, project development, cost estimating and permitting processes
Knowledge of project commercial issues and project financial analysis
Strong project management skills
Proficient knowledge of engineering economics and optimization process
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Organized with the ability to simultaneously oversee multiple development projects
Well-developed and professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization, as well as outside customers and vendors
Proficient use of all Microsoft Office Suite programs.
Ability to manage priorities in a complex and dynamic environment
Ability to read and interpret technical documentation and drawings and other common specifications
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and possession of a valid driver's license

Nice To Haves

Deep technical knowledge of PV, wind, and storage power plant systems and equipment.
Strong knowledge in procurement and construction processes and procedures
Familiarity with building codes and standards including the IBC, ASCE 7, and the NEC
Obtained PE license

Responsibilities

Conducts desktop site assessments for potential acquisition and divestiture projects to inform project capacity and energy in addition to engineering and constructability risks
Utilizes strong background knowledge to diligence data rooms of potential project acquisitions
Prepares data rooms with engineering documentation for potential divestitures
Collaborate with M&A Managers, Project Development, and Finance teams to advance transactions that are accretive to value for LRE
Prepares or manage preliminary site layouts
Provides energy prediction reports in coordination with the performance engineering team
Works with the engineering team to assess and anticipate engineering deliverable needs including site surveys, geotechnical reports, hydrology reports, conceptual grading and drainage plans, and preliminary collection, substation, civil, and structural designs
Provides engineering/technical input to permitting, power purchase agreements, interconnect agreements, financial modeling, and other project development aspects
Prepares engineering quantities and information for project budgets and schedules
Represents LRE in M&A, development, permitting and origination meetings on engineering and technical issues, including meetings with the public and regulatory authorities
Leads multiple projects simultaneously; manages competing priorities and overcomes obstacles to successfully meet submittal dates
Gathers engineering scopes, exhibits, and site design criteria for the creation of RFPs for M&A and divestiture projects
Reviews designs and calculations for quality control, performance optimization, and cost reduction opportunities
Meets with external consultants and contractors to discuss design options, address concerns, and support contract negotiations.
Conducts site visits for site evaluations
Assists in the creation and review of site constraints maps
Works directly with the procurement and performance team to stay current on wind turbine, solar module, solar inverter, and energy storage technology, offerings, and suppliers
Contributes to engineering standard creation
Coordinates with subject matter experts to identify long lead procurement items needed to support project schedules
Maintains accurate project documentation and keeps stakeholders informed of project progress
Transfers engineering knowledge and risks of assigned projects to the project engineer on the execution team during the pre-construction phase.
Guide and train junior level engineers