Principal BESS Engineer

Clearway Energy seeks a Principal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Engineer to lead preliminary and detailed engineering, fire safety analysis, technical specifications, system optimization, and vendor procurement for utility-scale stand-alone, hybrid, and co-located BESS facilities. Reporting to the Sr. Manager of BESS Engineering, you will partner with internal project teams, external engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and third-party consultants to advance a multi-gigawatt BESS pipeline across the United States. This hybrid role is based in Houston, Texas, with flexibility to work from offices in Scottsdale, San Diego, San Francisco, or Denver.

Responsibilities

• Update, refine, and quality-control EPC contractual agreements, design standards, and responsibility matrices for BESS projects in alignment with safety, technology, regulatory, and compliance requirements
• Generate BESS system design requirements from project PPAs, interconnection agreements, and other applicable contracts; assess design alternatives and propose optimal solutions based on technical and commercial trade-offs
• Establish hardware and software control requirements for market applications, including utility and ISO compliance; develop CapEx, auxiliary load, and augmentation assumptions for financial modeling
• Serve as primary technical contact with customers and equipment/service suppliers; develop and maintain optimization tools for BESS sizing and system performance
• Technically qualify new BESS vendors and products; maintain and update technical specifications for supply contracts
• Support EPC teams during request-for-quote, design review, RFI/DOR coordination, and permitting phases; coordinate fire safety compliance and commissioning activities
• Provide BESS subject matter expertise across project origination, development, design, construction, and commissioning phases
• Coordinate closed-loop learning and process improvement initiatives based on field experience and lessons learned

Requirements

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in utility-scale BESS engineering, integration, development, and commissioning
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing technical specifications, performance requirements, and technical reports
• Working knowledge of electrical standards (UL/IEEE), National Electrical Code, fire safety codes and standards, and interconnection standards
• Familiarity with energy storage product safety certifications and standards (NFPA 855, 72, 68, 69; UL1973; UL9540/A)
• Knowledge of Power Plant Controller, Energy Management Systems (EMS), Battery Management System (BMS) architecture, SCADA, and utility communication systems
• Experience with technical communication protocols (TCP/IP, Modbus/TCP) and control software/hardware platforms
• Proficiency in MS Excel and Python programming
• Familiarity with energy market applications, telemetry requirements, and utility equipment specifications
• Master's degree preferred
• Experience with utility electrical power systems or distributed energy resource projects preferred
• Authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Benefits

• Annual salary: $140,000–$195,000 USD (based on location, experience, education, and certifications)
• Annual cash bonus eligible, subject to personal and company performance goals
• Paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account with employer contributions; dependent care and health Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter benefits and relocation assistance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Life and accident insurance coverage
• Fertility programs, adoption assistance, and parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Benefits extended to employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships
• Hybrid work schedule: office-based employees typically collaborate on-site Tuesdays and Thursdays at one of five U.S. office locations