Senior High Voltage Engineer

Sol Systems is seeking a Senior High Voltage (HV) Engineer who will provide technical guidance during origination, interconnection, project development, pre-construction, financial closing, construction, and commissioning for high voltage facilities (substations, transmission lines, and interconnection switchyards) that are part of PV and BESS plants.

The Sr. HV Engineer will lead the late-stage interconnection process for utility scale PV and BESS projects from the facilities study phase to GIA negotiations, including leading negotiations with the transmission owner, and will lead long-term construction coordination during development and pre-construction. They will also guide internal stakeholders, consultants, and EPC’s towards the design and construction of the high voltage facilities. Lastly, the Sr HV Engineer will support the procurement teams with technical guidance towards the specification and purchase of GSU’s and HV Breakers.

Sol Systems designs and delivers comprehensive procurement and investment solutions for businesses, municipalities, and institutional investors to achieve sustainability goals and community impact. Sol Systems was founded in 2008 and has grown into a national leading integrated platform that includes infrastructure assets, commodity and financial services, customer service and asset management.  Sol has over a gigawatt of solar projects with a national footprint and a diverse customer, investor, and partner base. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Review interconnection study results and apply knowledge of RTO and TO interconnection standards to strategize how to develop a utility scale PV and BESS project
• Manage interconnection from the Facilities Study stage through GIA negotiation and thereafter including direct interface with the transmission owner during design and construction of interconnection facilities.
• Manage GIA schedule and scope amendments through strategic negotiations with the RTO/ISO and TO
• Conduct material modification requests to modify equipment listed in the GIA
• Estimate interconnection upgrade scope, cost and schedule. Advise on self-build cost saving potential.
• Review proposed interconnection facilities scopes, fees, and schedules, and negotiate with the transmission owner to optimize towards least cost or project optimal outcomes
• Review 30/60/90/IFC HV and SCADA designs by consultants and EPC’s to ensure compliance with requirements from the GIA, RTO/ISO, and TO standards, and facilitate design coordination with the RTO/ISO and TO
• Procurement support for HV equipment such as GSU and HV breakers through the development of specification documents and review and approval of shop drawings by the vendors
• Travel up to 10% may be required for site visits during development, and construction. Most projects are located in the Midwest.
• Subject Matter Expert in substations and transmission lines to advise colleagues on any project how to manage the HV scope of a particular project
• Maintain working knowledge of the relevant utility tariffs and technical standards for interconnection

A successful candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• B.S. Engineering required
• 3+ years of any combination of substation design experience, transmission design, or protection and control design experience required
• Strong communication skills and ability to lead technical discussions among transmission owners, consultants, EPC’s, and internal stakeholders
• Working knowledge of HV electrical principles, including HV & MV equipment specification, protection system coordination and relaying principles required
• Able to read and interpret general arrangement, one-line, control schematics and other drawings for HV design and equipment.
• Familiarity with substation and transmission construction practices
• Experienced in managing 3rd party engineering consultants to perform engineering studies and designs
• Experience with transmission level Generation interconnection processes in at least one of the following: MISO, PJM, SPP, ERCOT
• EIT certification preferred
• PE license preferred
• Working knowledge of industry standard design codes such as National Electric Safety Code (NESC), National Electric Code (NEC), IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800
• AutoCAD, PLSCAD, RISA, PSSE, PSCAD, CDEGS, or Aspen experience preferred but not required

Location: This position is based in our Washington, DC office.  We operate a hybrid work schedule requiring 3 days per week in the office during weeks when other work travel is not occurring. Remote opportunities will be considered for the right candidate and require occasional travel to the DC office, once every month with consideration towards other work related travel.

Commitment & Compensation: The base salary for this role is between $150,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the position. In addition, Sol Systems provides health insurance, retirement benefits, partial gym reimbursement, transportation benefits, education benefits, paid vacation and federal holidays, plus the opportunity to work in an entrepreneurial environment.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter and salary requirements. Applicants that are missing items from this list will still be considered.

Deadline: We hope to hire for this position immediately and will review applicants on a rolling basis.

Sol Systems is an equal-opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, creed, or other trait. Sol Systems supports and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.