Senior Manager/Director, BESS Development

Role Overview

• Lead technical aspects of standalone and hybrid BESS project development from early-stage through start of construction.
• Provide support during site acquisition, permitting, environmental review, financing and lender technical diligence.
• Coordinate technical and commercial inputs into financial models.
• Identify project technical risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Define system configurations including AC/DC architecture, storage duration, power and energy sizing, PCS topology, EMS architecture and auxiliary systems.
• Evaluate project layouts with consideration for cost efficiency, constructability, permitting, operations, fire safety, maintenance access.
• Coordinate technical interface among civil, electrical, SCADA, protection, and controls disciplines.
• Support interconnection studies and optimize system configurations to maximize project value.
• Track BESS technology trends, pricing trends, supplier roadmaps, manufacturing capacity, regulatory developments and emerging technical risks.
• Develop relationships with leading battery manufacturers and system integrators.
• Evaluate supplier bankability, manufacturing capability, domestic manufacturing and FEOC strategy, and delivery risk.
• Develop technical specifications for equipment procurement.
• Lead / support competitive RFPs for battery systems, PCS, EMS, system integrators and associated long-lead equipment.
• Perform technical and commercial bid evaluations. Review warranty structures, performance guarantees, availability guarantees, liquidated damages and augmentation strategies.
• Build total cost of ownership analyses including CAPEX, degradation and augmentation, warranties, O&M and overall lifecycle costs.
• Actively lead supply and service contract negotiations with suppliers and EPC contractors.
• Supported by the legal team, lead equipment selection and compliance strategy for Domestic Content requirements, FEOC restrictions, Investment Tax Credit (ITC) qualification and applicable UL, NFPA, IEEE, and local code requirements.
• Coordinate documentation required by tax equity investors and independent engineers.
• Monitor changes in federal and state incentive programs affecting BESS projects.
• Partner closely with Construction, Commercial (offtake), Procurement, Asset Management groups to serve as the primary technical interface for executive management on BESS project development decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of direct utility-scale (projects greater than 50 MW) BESS experience in project development, operations or sales.
• Strong understanding of lithium-ion battery technology, BESS system architecture, PCS, EMS, SCADA and utility interconnection
• Experience working with major battery OEMs and system integrators; evaluating supplier proposals and negotiating commercial terms
• Experience supporting project finance due diligence
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed for project site visits, supplier meetings, factory visits, diligence activities, testing, and project execution support.

Key Technical Knowledge

Candidates should demonstrate expertise in utility-scale BESS design, battery degradation modeling, augmentation planning, performance guarantees, round-trip efficiency, thermal management, fire protection systems, grid codes, grid-forming/grid-following inverters, EMS optimization, Domestic Content calculations, FEOC compliance and ITC qualification

Benefits

Urban Grid offers a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability, and a 401(k) plan with matching contributions.