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 project pipeline. This hybrid role is based in San Diego, California.

Responsibilities

• Update and refine EPC contractual agreements and requirements for BESS projects, clarifying EPC obligations and responsibility allocation
• Evaluate, track, and optimize BESS design to meet current safety, technology, regulatory, and compliance standards
• Conduct quality control on BESS engineering, design, product validation, and EPC touchpoints
• Generate BESS system design requirements from project requirements originating in PPAs, interconnection agreements, and other applicable contracts
• Assess a range of BESS system designs and propose optimal solutions based on technical and commercial constraints
• Establish hardware and software control requirements for market applications, including utility and ISO compliance
• Review and negotiate technical requirements and performance guarantees in offtake agreements
• Develop BESS capital expenditure, auxiliary load, and augmentation assumptions for financial modeling and underwriting
• Technically qualify new vendors and products; maintain and update technical specifications for supply contracts
• Support EPC teams during request-for-quote phases, including technical coordination and design-of-record review
• Support permitting and fire safety compliance requirements
• Coordinate design review, construction, and commissioning of BESS facilities
• Serve as key technical contact with customers and build relationships with energy storage equipment and service suppliers
• Develop and maintain tools for optimizing BESS sizing, auxiliary loads, and augmentation
• Coordinate lessons-learned documentation and process improvement initiatives

Requirements

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

Benefits

• Annual salary range: $140,000–$195,000 USD (based on location, skills, experience, education, training, certifications, and other permissible factors)
• Eligible employees working 20+ hours per week receive comprehensive benefits: generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, HSA with company contributions, dependent and healthcare FSAs, commuter benefits, relocation assistance, 401(k) with employer match, life and accident insurance, fertility programs, adoption assistance, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and benefits for employees in same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships
• Annual cash bonus eligible, subject to personal and company performance goals
• Hybrid work arrangement with office presence in San Diego on Tuesdays and Thursdays