Manager or Sr. Manager, Optimization Engineering

Avantus
San Diego, CA
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have experience in technical diligence and project financing for utility-scale solar projects.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience in technical diligence for non-recourse solar financings and cross-functional leadership
    — “Experience leading IE process and technical diligence for non-recourse financings of utility-scale solar projects”
  • Individuals with deep expertise in PV and BESS performance modeling and cost analysis
    — “Strong PV production modeling experience (PVsyst, SAM, and/or pvlib)”
  • Engineers with a track record of managing design optimization and construction cost trade-offs
    — “Be fully responsible for managing design aspects of individual projects, including trade-offs between production, construction costs, land and permitting constraints”

Things to consider

  • Candidates must be prepared to engage in complex negotiations with financing counterparties.
    — “Assess cost benefit trade-offs to support negotiations with financing counterparties”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with IE and EPC communities in your resume and interview responses.
    — “Familiarity with IE and EPC community”
  • Emphasize your ability to lead internal performance testing and contractor submittal reviews.
    — “Lead internal performance testing of projects during commissioning and review and approve contractor performance submittals”
  • Demonstrate your expertise in translating technical design details into energy production models.
    — “Review EPC designs and translate design details to energy production models”
  • Showcase your proficiency in Python and version control software in your technical background.
    — “Proficient working in python and using version control software”
  • Demonstrate your ability to model merchant revenue streams for financial settlement opportunities.
    — “Collaborate with Energy Markets team to model merchant revenue streams for financial settlement offtake opportunities”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

Skills & requirements

Required

Technical DiligenceEPC ContractingValue EngineeringProject OptimizationPPA Bid PreparationEnergy Market Modeling

Preferred

IE ProcessNon-recourse FinancingsPV Production ModelingBattery Storage Performance ModelingSolar Development ProcessEnergy Market Mechanics

Stack & domain

Project Or Optimization EngineeringRenewable EnergySolar DevelopmentIE ProcessTechnical DiligenceEPC ContractingOrigination ContractingDesign OptimizationPV Production ModelingBattery Storage Performance ModelingPV And BESS EPC Cost StackEnergy Market MechanicsRevenueCommunicationLeadershipProblem-solvingStrategic ThinkingTeamworkMentoringCoaching

About the role

Original posting from Avantus

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus develops, owns and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. Our development pipeline of solar with integrated storage will generate enough dispatchable power to serve more than 10 million Americans, day and night. Backed by strategic investment from KKR and EIG, and building on more than a decade of industry leadership, Avantus is growing its position as an independent power producer, delivering affordable, reliable clean energy solutions to meet America’s growing energy demand.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Manager or Sr. Manager, Optimization Engineering demonstrates sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and leadership ability. This is seen as a critical role to deliver on our current mid- to late-stage projects, and to support a full project pipeline. The person in this role supports technical diligence, EPC contracting, Origination contracting, and design optimization throughout the full development process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Technical Diligence Through Project Financing

Technical lead though IE diligence and project financing

Manage expectations with IEs and financing counterparties to meet project schedule while maximizing valuations

Assess cost benefit trade-offs to support negotiations with financing counterparties

Responsible for timely delivery of IE report, including leading internal review and communication with the IE

EPC RFP and Value Engineering

Manage EPC contract technical exhibits in collaboration with Procurement Leads

Translate project specific constraints and risks into actionable EPC requirements

Support EPC Procurement Leads in identifying value engineering opportunities and optimal equipment

Review EPC designs and translate design details to energy production models

Lead internal performance testing of projects during commissioning and review and approve contractor performance submittals

Project Optimization Efforts

Be fully responsible for managing design aspects of individual projects, including trade-offs between production, construction costs, land and permitting constraints

Guide and train other team members in decisions related to project design optimization

PPA bid/Competitiveness

Review technical terms of offtake agreements and propose preferred terms for negotiations with counterparties

Lead cross functional design optimization efforts targeted at lowest LCOE/LCOS

Work cross-functionally between development, land, engineering, estimating and procurement teams

Lead technical bid preparation and ensure team deliverables meet bid requirements

Collaborate with Energy Markets team to model merchant revenue streams for financial settlement offtake opportunities

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

5+ years’ experience in project or optimization engineering

5+ years’ experience with renewable energy and solar development

Experience leading IE process and technical diligence for non-recourse financings of utility-scale solar projects

Familiarity with IE and EPC community

Strong communicator with ability to explain technical concepts

Commercially minded engineer focused on LCOE

Strong PV production modeling experience (PVsyst, SAM, and/or pvlib)

Strong experience with battery storage performance modeling tools and parameters

Understanding of PV and BESS EPC cost stack and key cost drivers

Understanding of the full solar development process

Understanding of energy market mechanics and revenue structures

Technical background in modules, inverters and/or battery technology a plus

Strong experience using Excel for data analysis and tool building

Proficient working in python and using version control software

#LI-Hybrid

Avantus offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package, including 401(k) matching; comprehensive medical and dental plan options; and flexible PTO. We are an equal-opportunity employer.

The base salary range for this full-time position is listed below (plus bonus and benefits). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the applicable location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus and benefits.

Pay Range$136,000—$175,000 USD

Source: Avantus careers

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