Sr. Engineer, Project Development M&A

Leeward Energy • Houston, TX

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Project Development Engineer (P4) is responsible for engineering and technical aspects of utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage M&A projects during commercial transaction periods, through handoff to execution. The role provides engineering leadership for M&A transactions and thoroughly evaluates projects through engineering due diligence and preliminary design. It helps optimize projects for marketability and execution readiness while maintaining quality consistent with LRE’s long-term ownership focus. The position emphasizes collaboration and proactive risk management to inform LRE’s pipeline and support future project success.

The role works with M&A, project development, finance, engineering, procurement, and performance teams, as well as external consultants, contractors, public stakeholders, and regulatory authorities. It leads multiple projects, manages competing priorities, maintains project documentation, and transfers engineering knowledge and risks to execution-team project engineers during pre-construction. It also guides and trains junior engineers.

This is an in-office role requiring presence at the office at least three days per week, with hybrid flexibility to work remotely two days per week, subject to manager and policy approval. The position requires willingness and ability to travel at least 25% of the time.

Requirements

• Four-year bachelor's degree in engineering.
• At least 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.
• At least 5 years of development engineering experience in the renewable energy industry.
• Ability to take ownership and oversight of projects and tasks with complex issues.
• Proficiency in some of the following: AutoCAD, PVsyst, PlantPredict, PVFarm, Openwind, and other automated layout or 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 processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organized, with the ability to oversee multiple development projects simultaneously.
• Well-developed professional interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels, as well as external customers and vendors.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to manage priorities in a complex and dynamic environment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation, drawings, and common specifications.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and possession of a valid driver's license.
• Willingness and ability to travel at least 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Conduct desktop site assessments for potential acquisition and divestiture projects to inform project capacity, energy, engineering risks, and constructability risks.
• Diligence data rooms for potential project acquisitions and prepare 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 LRE’s value.
• Prepare or manage preliminary site layouts.
• Provide energy prediction reports in coordination with the performance engineering team.
• Work 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.
• Provide engineering and technical input to permitting, power purchase agreements, interconnect agreements, financial modeling, and other project development aspects.
• Prepare engineering quantities and information for project budgets and schedules.
• Represent LRE in M&A, development, permitting, and origination meetings on engineering and technical issues, including meetings with the public and regulatory authorities.
• Lead multiple projects simultaneously, manage competing priorities, and overcome obstacles to meet submittal dates.
• Gather engineering scopes, exhibits, and site design criteria for RFPs for M&A and divestiture projects.
• Review designs and calculations for quality control, performance optimization, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Meet with external consultants and contractors to discuss design options, address concerns, and support contract negotiations.
• Conduct site visits for site evaluations.
• Assist in creating and reviewing site constraints maps.
• Work with procurement and performance teams to stay current on wind turbine, solar module, solar inverter, and energy storage technology, offerings, and suppliers.
• Contribute to the creation of engineering standards.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to identify long-lead procurement items needed to support project schedules.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and keep stakeholders informed of project progress.
• Transfer engineering knowledge and risks for assigned projects to the execution-team project engineer during pre-construction.
• Guide and train junior-level engineers.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior