Manager, Development Engineering

Urban Grid is a leading independent power producer (IPP) delivering reliable, utility-scale solar and storage solutions to help meet America’s unprecedented energy demand. We develop, own and operate projects that strengthen local economies through long-term partnerships and responsible land stewardship. By integrating agrivoltaics into our land management practices, we enhance soil health, support local farmers and benefit the communities we serve.

With a strong focus on execution and integrity, we are committed to being a trusted domestic energy provider and responsible corporate citizen. Urban Grid is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and operates across the United States with a growing portfolio that includes 12,000 megawatts of development assets.  We continue to maintain our optionality to co-locate with battery storage based on customer demand, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in our energy solutions.

Since becoming an IPP in 2023, we have successfully brought five solar projects online, begun construction on three additional projects and are actively advancing one gigawatt of capacity into pre-construction. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com.

Urban Grid is a portfolio company of Brookfield. one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.

Job Summary

Join our dynamic team at Urban Grid as we look for a passionate and skilled Manager of Development Engineering to help us drive our innovative projects forward!

We're hoping to find someone with 5 to 10 years of expertise in utility-scale solar power plant design as well as battery storage design and construction. In this role, you'll lead our Development Engineering team as they assess the technical feasibility and risks associated with our development projects. Your success will be measured by the achievements of your team members, the effectiveness of each project evaluation, and how well the projects progress through the RFP, design, and construction stages. Additionally, you'll play a crucial role in mentoring and supporting your team to help them achieve their individual project goals. Ideally, you'll have hands-on experience with the construction of solar PV systems, covering everything from the DC side of the panels (modules) through the inverter, all the way to the collector substation. Experience in energy storage design and construction is a plus! As the Manager of Development Engineering, you'll handle key tasks at each stage of the project, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the processes you're overseeing. Occasionally, you may also take on some project engineering responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Establish standards, best practices, and incorporate lessons learned for contract technical documents and drawings that are developed during the EPC bidding and design phase and lessons learned during the construction process.
• Identify and develop specific project milestones for the Development Engineering team and support successful completion of those milestones during the development and preconstruction process.
• Manage the technical design and assumptions of development projects through preconstruction and fully understand all aspects of the handoff process from development to the Construction team
• Standardize the engineering portion of the EPC RFP process and support other departments in evaluating the EPC bids.
• Responsible for ensuring all Owner technical specifications are accurate, up to date, and implemented appropriately by the Development Engineering team. 
• Provide mentoring and guidance to the Development Engineering team on technical and managerial matters. 
• Review and provide written input on technical drawings related to BESS, High Voltage, Substation, SCADA, and PV plant design to identify errors and to provide valuable engineering advice. 
• Support the Construction team during the bidding and design process to effectively triage and respond to any Requests for Information (RFIs) while coordinating with internal and external engineering resources.
• Review appropriately detailed design drawings for streamlined communication with Internal Departments, External Consultants, Permitting Agencies, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), Contractors, and Utilities.
• Develop standards to streamline working with third party Owners’ Engineers (OE) to ensure consistency and adequate services are provided by OE to Owner. 
• Negotiate, develop, review contracts, and manage OE service relationships.
• Assist with standardizing engineering contract deliverables from consultants, racking vendors, EPCs, and other third parties to anticipate Independent Engineer (IE) inquiries and ensure that the needed information is incorporated into our contract requirements and specifications, so the information is readily available during the Independent Engineer reporting process.
• Develop a program that provides accountability and streamlines IE responses during the initial financing phase of the project to support financing milestones.
• Provide technical expertise and support in all aspects of project implementation during initial procurement, design, development, and hand-over to construction.
• Ensure the Development Engineering team has implemented the latest standards and codes into the design documents, contract documents, and engineering process.
• Develop scope of work documents, specifications, and technical exhibits in response to project specific conditions or equipment needs.
• Provide recommendations and/or mitigation measures to resolve all risks, cost adders, and anticipated construction issues during the development design process, prior to construction.
• Facilitate communication between all project engineering disciplines (electrical, civil, geotechnical, structural, and mechanical, instrumentation and controls) to identify and resolve design and construction issues.
• Other duties assigned

Location: Our headquarters is located in Houston, TX, and this position comes with a flexible hybrid schedule, allowing you to work in the office only four days a week!

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably electrical, mechanical, or renewable energy-related fields). Advanced degrees or relevant certifications are a plus.
• 5 to 10 Years of engineering and/or construction experience is required.
• Must be able to manage a team of professionals.
• Direct experience in power plant engineering design and construction preferred.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering electrical codes and standards (NEC, IEEE, ASTM and others).
• Must be proficient and be able to redline and communicate comments on design drawings for utility scale solar power plants.
• Preferred design and construction knowledge of both DC and three-phase AC electric systems.
• Record Drawing review, management, and oversight experience required.
• Familiarity with project management software and tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, Procore, CAD software, etc).
• Must have the ability to lead work to execution and resolve issues in a team environment.
• Must be self-motivated and be able to work both individually and/or in a collaborative team environment with minimal guidance.
• Must be able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities while creating and maintaining internal and external relationships with contractors and co-workers, respectively.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be able to coordinate and communicate work with multiple disciplines, organizations, agencies, vendors, and contractors.
• The Individual must have strong organizational skills and be able to manage multiple projects with concurrent deadlines.

 Preferred:

• Professional Engineer license preferred

At Urban Grid, we’re thrilled to offer a fantastic benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with a health savings account and flexible spending account. We also provide company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, paid parental leave and optional life insurance. Enjoy a retirement plan with matching contributions as part of our full-time positions, all wrapped up with a competitive salary and bonus opportunities!