Senior Project Engineer

Company Overview

Pattern Energy is a leading renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates high-quality wind and solar generation, transmission, green fuels and energy storage facilities. Our mission is to transition the world to renewable energy through the sustainable development and responsible operation of facilities with respect for the environment, communities, and cultures where we have a presence. 

Our approach begins and ends with establishing trust, accountability, and transparency. Our company values of creative spirit, pride of ownership, follow-through, and a team-first attitude drive us to pursue our mission every day. Our culture supports our values by fostering innovative and critical thinking and a deep belief in living up to our promises.  

Headquartered in San Francisco, Pattern has a portfolio of 30 power facilities and transmission assets across North America, serving various customers that provide low-cost clean energy to millions of consumers. 

Job Purpose

The role of the Senior Project Engineer is to support various renewable energy projects Pattern develops that include wind, solar PV and BESS. The Project Engineering Team works in projects that are in both pre-construction stage and execution stage and is responsible for the engineering design processes, managing consultants and contractors, providing technical guidance during contractor selection process, performing design reviews to improve performance and cost of such installations, and providing support during commissioning with the aim of repeatable designs in the future.

The design work covers medium voltage feeders, high voltage substations, high voltage gen-ties, main power transformers, control and protection schemes, SCADA, metering, and other related systems as relate to utility scale wind and solar energy plants. The work also involves providing technical guidance to Pre-Construction and Construction teams.

The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for supporting projects in

various stages and providing input to Director, Project Engineering for defining project goals and identifying resources for the work the group performs daily.

This position is critical to assist Pattern in realizing our mission to Transition the World to Renewable Energy.

Key Accountabilities

The key responsibilities will include as a minimum the following:

• Provide appropriate technical support to the pre-construction and construction teams, while managing a collection of outside subject matter experts and consultants to assist as needed.

• Evaluate and assist in finding resolution to technical issues in projects with the support of Subject Matter Experts and external consultants.

• Review interconnection requirements and identify any gaps in the overall design.

• Identify regulatory compliance requirements, particularly NERC compliance, are captured in the design with support from Pattern Compliance Team.

• Prepare design specifications as required for wind, solar and BESS projects with support from external consultants as needed.

• Work with internal team and contractors to develop design/construction packages including feeder arrangements, layouts, electrical one-lines, collection systems, collection system studies, and equipment installation details for wind, solar PV and BESS projects.

   

• Review and approve high voltage substation, medium voltage collection, and plant drawing packages at various stages of the design (30%, 60%, 90%, IFC, As-Built).

• Support the interface with lender’s independent engineers when necessary to address technical issues throughout design and construction phase.

   

• Interface and provide technical guidance to other groups within Pattern such as Operations Engineering, Development, Compliance, and Asset Management during different phases of projects, as needed.

• Support project through testing and commissioning activities including developing comprehensive site test plans, review production and performance testing plans and test results

• Support Director, Project Engineering by identifying resource requirements for on-going projects and future project pipeline.

• Support continuous improvement of managing engineering design processes.

Education / Experience / Qualifications Required

Educational Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering is required as a minimum.

Required Work Experience

The following criteria will be used as a basis for Pattern to select a qualified applicant:

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in the energy industry.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in utility scale wind and solar energy project engineering. Experience in BESS projects and SCADA systems will be an asset.
• Completed engineering and construction support of multiple utility scale greenfield wind projects with separate win turbine suppliers and solar PV projects with separate major inverter, tracker and module manufacturers.
• Experience in engineering design work related to medium voltage feeders, high voltage substations, high voltage transmission, large power transformers, control and protection schemes, SCADA, and metering for utility scale wind and solar energy projects.
• Experience in integration of utility scale wind and solar projects through interconnection process with utilities and RTOs.
• Experience in construction and commissioning of wind and/or solar energy projects.
• Experience in working with diverse groups of stakeholders in utility scale renewable energy projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of reliability compliance requirements.
  
  Additional Requirements
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong technical capabilities and a creative, curious, self-driven work ethic.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in carrying out projects and tasks with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work well in and/or lead cross functional teams with little supervision or oversight.
• Ability to prioritize and resolve engineering related issues across multiple projects under demanding schedule constraints.
• Ability to optimize value engineering throughout the project from pre-construction to construction stage.
• Thorough understanding of technical requirements of utility scale renewable energy projects.
  
  Technical Skills
• Computer skills – MS Office suite. Experience in other engineering related software would be an asset.
• Engineering – balanced expertise in wind turbines, solar systems, interconnection studies, compliance, substations, transmission, protection and controls, BOP electrical systems, SCADA, metering and balanced skills in theoretical, analytical, and practical field hands-on experience.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 20% both domestically and internationally. Includes travel to remote project locations as well as to manufacturing facilities.

The expected starting pay range for this role is $103,000 USD - $139,000 in local currency. This range is an estimate and base pay may be above or below the ranges based on several factors including but not limited to location, work experience, certifications, and education. In addition to base pay, Pattern’s compensation program includes a bonus structure for full-time employees of all levels. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, voluntary benefits, family care benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off and bonding leave, paid holidays, 401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan with employer contribution, and employee referral bonuses.

Pattern Energy Group LP is an equal opportunity employer.

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