Principal BESS Engineer

Clearway Energy seeks a Principal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Engineer to lead preliminary engineering, fire safety engineering, technical specifications, system optimization, and procurement support for stand-alone, hybrid, and co-located BESS facilities. Reporting to the Senior Manager of BESS Engineering, you will collaborate with project teams, external engineering partners, vendors, and consultants to advance a multi-gigawatt utility-scale energy storage pipeline. This hybrid role is based in San Francisco, California (with flexibility to work from offices in Scottsdale, San Diego, Houston, or Denver).

Responsibilities

• Update and refine EPC contractual agreements and technical requirements for BESS projects, clarifying obligations and division of responsibilities
• Evaluate, track, and optimize BESS designs to meet current safety, technology, regulatory, and compliance standards
• Conduct quality control reviews of BESS engineering, design, product validation, and EPC coordination touchpoints
• Provide BESS technical expertise across origination, development, design, construction, and commissioning phases
• Generate BESS system design requirements from PPAs, interconnection agreements, and other applicable contracts
• Assess multiple BESS system designs and propose optimal solutions based on technical and commercial constraints
• Establish hardware and software control requirements for utility and ISO market applications
• Review and negotiate technical requirements and performance guarantees in offtake agreements
• Develop CapEx, auxiliary load, and augmentation assumptions for financial modeling and underwriting
• Technically qualify new BESS vendors and products during internal due diligence
• Maintain and update technical specifications used in supply contracts
• Support EPC teams during request-for-quote phases, including technical coordination, RFIs, and design-of-record between BESS suppliers and EPC contractors
• Support permitting and fire safety compliance activities
• Coordinate design review, construction coordination, and commissioning of BESS facilities
• Drive closed-loop learning and process improvement from lessons learned across projects
• Develop and maintain tools for BESS sizing, auxiliary load optimization, and system augmentation
• Serve as key technical point of contact with customers and strategic relationships with energy storage equipment and service suppliers

Requirements

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in BESS engineering, integration, development, and commissioning for utility-scale projects
• Demonstrated experience writing technical specifications, performance requirements, and technical reports
• Knowledge of electrical standards (UL/IEEE), fire safety codes and standards, National Electrical Code, and interconnection standards
• Familiarity with technical communications protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus/TCP) and controls software/hardware platforms
• Knowledge of energy storage product safety standards and certifications (NFPA 855, 72, 68, 69; UL1973; UL9540/A)
• Experience with Power Plant Controllers, Energy Management Systems (EMS), Battery Management Systems (BMS), SCADA, and utility communication systems
• Familiarity with energy market applications and telemetry requirements
• Proficiency with MS Excel and Python programming
• Knowledge of utility equipment specifications
• U.S. work authorization (company does not sponsor H-1B, TN, E-3, or other non-immigrant visas)

Benefits

• Annual salary $140,000–$195,000 USD, based on location, skills, experience, education, and certifications
• Annual cash bonus eligible, contingent on personal and company performance goals
• Generous paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter benefits
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Life and accident insurance
• Fertility programs and adoption assistance
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Relocation assistance
• Hybrid work schedule: in-office collaboration on Tuesdays and Thursdays at one of Clearway's office locations