Director, Project Engineering

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 purpose of the Director, Project Engineering, is to manage and direct a team of engineers that are focused on projects that include wind plants, solar plants, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and associated gen-tie and substations. The project engineering team is responsible for identifying and managing engineering design processes, managing third party consultants and contractors, providing technical guidance during contractor selection process, performing design reviews to improve performance and cost of such installations with the aim of repeatable designs in the future, and providing support during commissioning. 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 associated systems related to utility scale wind, solar energy plants and BESS. The work also involves providing technical guidance to Pre-Construction, Operations Engineering, Compliance, Construction, and Asset Management teams within Pattern. The Project Engineering group is critical in guiding and managing engineering design through various phases of a project from development through construction and commissioning. The Director, Project Engineering, is responsible for defining the team and project goals and outlining appropriate processes and procedures for the work the group performs on a daily basis.

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:

• Lead a diverse engineering team of high voltage electrical engineers and specialists
• Drive continuous improvement of managing engineering design processes
• Evaluate resource requirements considering on-going projects and future project pipeline and allocate resources to various projects to ensure the needs for engineering support of both pre-construction and construction teams are satisfied
• Identify resource requirements based on current and future projects and recruit project engineering staff
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert and oversee a team of engineers to support the pre-construction and construction teams, while managing a collection of outside subject matter expert 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
• Drive the development and implementation of efficient project engineering processes with the aim of achieving repeatable designs
• Interface and provide technical guidance to other groups within Pattern such as Operations Engineering, Development, Compliance, and Asset Management during different phase of projects, as needed
• Provide or manage engineering resources to identify and ensure regulatory compliance requirements, particularly NERC compliance, are captured in the design
• Lead the interface with lender’s independent engineers when necessary to address technical issues throughout design and construction phase.

Education / Experience / Qualifications Required

Educational Experience

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

Required Work Experience

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

• 15 years of experience in the energy industry
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in utility scale wind and/or solar energy project engineering. Exposure to BESS is an asset.
• Experience in all or parts of 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 wind generators and/or solar panels in utility scale projects
• Experience in construction and commissioning of wind and/or solar energy projects
• Experience is cost estimates for construction of such projects

Additional Requirements

Must possess strengths in the following:

• Strong technical capabilities and a creative, curious, self-driven work ethic
• Ability to work well in and lead cross functional teams with little supervision or oversight
• Ability to travel frequently
• Balanced capabilities in technical expertise, business acumen, and interpersonal skills

Travel Requirements

• Computer skills – MS Office suite.
• Experience in other engineering-related software would be an asset.
• Engineering – balanced expertise in substations, transmission, MV feeders, wind turbines, solar systems, protection and controls, BOP electrical systems, SCADA, metering and balanced skills in theoretical, analytical, and practical field hands-on experience.

The expected starting pay range for this role is $137,000 USD - $186,000 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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