Electrical Project Engineer at Birch Creek

About the job

Birch Creek Energy, a utility-scale solar and storage developer, owner, and operator with projects across the United States, seeks to add an Electrical Project Engineer to our growing team. The successful candidate is someone who thrives in a team-oriented, entrepreneurial, fun, and vibrant culture and shares our mission to advocate for our clean energy future.

In 2023, Inc. Magazine ranked Birch Creek as #3 on its “Inc. 5000” list of Fastest Growing Companies, identifying and highlighting the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States based on revenue growth.

Birch Creek’s main offices are in St. Louis (HQ) and Los Angeles. Remote-work candidates are welcome.

Job Overview:

• Reporting to the Director of Execution Engineering, the Electrical Project Engineer is responsible for managing projects from late-stage development through completion of construction. This position is an integral part of executing Birch Creek Energy’s (BCE) 13 GW of solar and battery storage project pipeline in multiple states throughout the U.S.
• The Electrical Project Engineer will create preliminary drawing submittals. This position will also review EOR design packages to determine compliance with Owner specifications.
• Additionally, the Electrical Project Engineer will aid the Birch Creek Energy procurement team in the technical review of owner-supplied equipment for substations, BESS, and PV plants.

Day to Day:

• Create Single Line Diagrams for Interconnection Applications that meet ISO technical requirements and integrate Owner preferred equipment.
• Create tracker and fixed tilt layouts in AutoCAD using PVCase.
• Layout roads and major civil features for preliminary project layouts.
• Run PVsyst energy models using Owner Input Standards. Create optimized project layouts from the energy modeling results.
• Create 10% and 30% drawing and calculation packages in AutoCAD and Excel.
• Have a detailed understanding of project Interconnection Agreements and utility and ISO/RTO technical requirements for interconnection equipment and design standards.
• Attend utility and ISO/RTO project specific and stakeholder meetings, monitor interconnection execution progress.
• Review and provide input for EPC Agreement and Equipment Purchase Agreement technical exhibits.
• Review and comment on 30%, 60%, 90%, and IFC design packages from Electrical, Substation, SCADA, and Mechanical design disciplines.
• Host project design meetings with EPCs and consultants.
• Create EPC RFP technical exhibits and review proposals for all projects going out to bid.
• Respond to EPC RFPs and review equipment submittals.
• Work with local internet service providers to setup up internet for each project.
• Manage the basis of design and specification documents to provide updates based on project specifics and lessons learned.
• Review and comment on vendor drawings.
• Complete technical specs for Owner-supplied equipment like HV breakers, GSU, modules, reclosers, meters etc.
• Occasionally attend site walks with EPC during the detailed design phase.

Knowledge & Skills

• Working knowledge of the solar and BESS design process
• Understanding of the NEC, NESC, NFPA 855, NFPA 2800, and NFPA 1547
• Proven ability to draft in AutoCAD
• Proven experience using Electrical Engineering software like ETAP and PVsyst
• Excellent knowledge of the interconnection process
• Ability to establish strong relationships with EPCs
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• General knowledge of technical standards applicable to the project interconnection design.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 2 years of related project engineer experience
• Experience with AutoCAD, ETAP, and PVsyst
• PE in Electrical Engineering is desired, but not required
• If you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications but see yourself contributing to our team in a meaningful way, please submit your resume.

The pay rate for the successful candidate is dependent on, skills, relevant and demonstrated experience, education, training and certifications, and other factors permitted by law. This role is eligible to earn an annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals.

Why work at Birch Creek?

We take the health and happiness of our employees seriously and offer outstanding benefits, including:

• Company funded & deeply subsidized benefit options for you and your family that begin the first day of the month after you join us.
• Work-life balance with our responsible Unlimited PTO / Vacation program
• 401(K) + company-match
• Paid maternity & paternity leave
• Remote-friendly (with the option to work out of our St. Louis HQ)
• Growth opportunity
• A positive, collaborative, and diverse culture
• Social events onsite & remote

Please include your salary expectations with your resume submission.