Senior Project Engineer Job Type: Exempt, Salaried, Full-Time, Permanent
Location: United States - Charlottesville, VA office (onsite), Remote (mid-Atlantic / southeast regions preferred)
Reports To: Director, Project Management
Department: Operations - Project Delivery
Role Summary The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for leading technical execution across utility-scale renewable energy projects from late-stage development through construction, commissioning, and turnover to Operations. This role serves as a senior technical authority and key interface between internal stakeholders, EPC contractors, utilities, and equipment suppliers to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, on budget, and in accordance with TERP's technical standards.
In addition to project-level leadership, the Senior Project Engineer contributes to the continuous improvement of engineering governance, technical specifications, and delivery best practices across the portfolio.
ResponsibilitiesProject Technical Leadership
- Lead technical execution for multiple projects or complex project scopes from development handoff through commercial operation.
- Serve as the primary technical decision-maker for assigned projects, ensuring alignment with TERP engineering standards and project objectives.
- Provide advanced pre-construction support to Development and Origination, including technical risk evaluation, layout optimization, constructability reviews, and cost input.
- Oversee and approve EPC design deliverables (30/60/90/IFC/IFP/As-Built).
Engineering Governance & Standards
- Implement and enforce project engineering governance, technical specifications, and quality standards across projects.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of TERP's engineering standards, design criteria, and lessons-learned programs.
- Ensure compliance with ISO, NERC, utility, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Technical Risk & Commercial Support
- Identify, quantify, and mitigate technical, commercial, and execution risks.
- Lead technical support for EPC, BOP, equipment supply, interconnection, and major project agreements.
- Support RFP processes, technical bid evaluations, and vendor selection.
- Perform technical due diligence for acquisitions and financing activities.
Cross-Functional & External Interface
- Act as the senior technical interface with:
- EPC contractors
- Interconnecting utilities
- Owner's engineers and consultants
- Equipment manufacturers
- Internal Project Delivery, Procurement, Development, Asset Management, and Operations teams
- Provide executive-level technical updates and recommendations to project and senior leadership.
Construction & Commissioning Support
- Provide strategic on-site technical support for complex issues, quality control, and commissioning activities.
- Lead technical resolution of major field issues and change orders.
- Ensure successful project handoff to Operations, including performance validation and documentation.
Portfolio & Resource Leadership
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to Project Engineers and external consultants.
- Support prioritization and coordination of engineering resources across projects.
- Champion engineering excellence, safety, standardization, and continuous improvement across the fleet.
Skills & Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent technical experience required
- Minimum 7 years of experience in power or renewable energy engineering, with strong involvement in utility-scale project delivery
- Deep technical knowledge of solar, wind, and/or battery storage systems
- Strong experience with EPC project execution and major equipment procurement
- Advanced experience with energy modeling and optimization tools (e.g., PVsyst or equivalent)
- Strong understanding of PJM and/or SERC interconnection and permitting processes preferred
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical scopes across multiple projects
- Strong commercial acumen and contract interpretation skills
- Proven leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making capability
- Willingness to travel to project sites as required
Compensation: $117,000 - $146,000. Bonus eligible
Staffing Firm Notice: TerraForm Power does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms. Resumes submitted without a valid, fully executed agreement and an authorized request from Human Resources will be considered the property of TerraForm Power, and no placement fee will be paid.
