Solar Project Engineer (multiple roles)

Hecate Energy is hiring a mid to senior-level Solar Project Engineer to support engineering for solar and storage projects in their 40 GW pipeline. Responsibilities include creating project designs, conducting optimization assessments, collaborating with manufacturers, and managing consultants. The role requires 1-5+ years of utility-scale solar design experience and involves travel to project sites. Compensation and title will be based on experience.
About the position

Hecate Energy is seeking a mid to senior-level project engineer to facilitate the engineering of solar and storage projects for Hecate Energy's 40 GW development project pipeline. This position has the option to include more general project management of solar and storage assets in contracting and construction if desired. The specific title, responsibilities, and compensation package for this position will be commensurate with experience. This position will report to the SVP of Engineering or the CTO. The role involves creating internal conceptual and preliminary layouts and designs of solar and storage projects for purposes including interconnection, permitting, project sales, and construction preparation. The engineer will conduct solar array design optimization, meteorological resource assessment, energy production estimation, and land constructability evaluation. Collaboration with Module, Inverter, Racking, and Transformer manufacturers to obtain equipment technical information and incorporate it into project designs is essential. Additionally, the engineer will support the Project Development team with technical aspects of project sale proposals and permitting efforts. Maintaining Scopes of Work, managing consultants, and reviewing deliverables for third-party design packages from a 10% level to Issued For Construction (IFC) drawings and studies, as well as Geotechnical, Hydrological, and Topographical Engineering Studies, are key responsibilities. The engineer will review and consolidate information and insights across disciplines into a financially optimized cohesive project design and execution strategy. Understanding applicable codes, design standards, and technical requirements for utility-scale design and ensuring they are met throughout the engineering, procurement, and construction process is critical. This position will include travel to project sites and other locations to support site evaluation and construction efforts.

Responsibilities
• Create internal conceptual and preliminary layouts and designs of solar and storage projects for interconnection, permitting, project sales, and construction preparation.
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• Conduct solar array design optimization, meteorological resource assessment, energy production estimation, and land constructability evaluation.
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• Collaborate with Module, Inverter, Racking, and Transformer manufacturers to obtain equipment technical information and incorporate it into project designs.
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• Support the Project Development team with technical aspects of project sale proposals and permitting efforts.
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• Maintain Scopes of Work, manage consultants, and review deliverables for third-party design packages from a 10% level to Issued For Construction (IFC) drawings and studies.
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• Review and consolidate information and insights across disciplines into a financially optimized cohesive project design and execution strategy.
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• Understand applicable codes, design standards, and technical requirements for utility scale design and ensure they are met throughout the engineering, procurement, and construction process.
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• Travel to project sites and other locations to support site evaluation and construction efforts.

Requirements
• 1-5+ years of utility-scale solar design experience with a focus on cross-disciplinary design optimization.
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• Bachelor's degree or greater in engineering; no specific degree requirement, but this is a technical position requiring detailed quantitative analysis.
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• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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• Proficiency with PVsyst, NREL SAM, PVlib, GIS, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office.
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• Proficiency with Python, R, and VBA is a plus.
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• Comfort bringing sense to ambiguity and driving forward one's technical initiatives.
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• Self-awareness of one's quirks and appreciation for those of teammates.

Nice-to-haves

Benefits
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
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• Excellent health insurance, 100% of premiums covered by employer.
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• 401k plan to be implemented in Q4 2022.
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• Highly flexible PTO and sick leave policy.
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• Hybrid working arrangements (combination of in-office (Chicago) and work-from-wherever).
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• Biannual company retreats, fully stocked pantries, in-office music performance space.