Electrical Collection System Engineer

Are you an experienced engineer passionate about renewable energy and driven to create a sustainable future? At David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA), we are dedicated to delivering innovative and reliable energy solutions. Our Energy Business Unit is seeking an Electrical Collection System Engineer to guide the technical execution of utility-scale wind, solar, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects throughout the Midwest and western United States.

Why DEA?

David Evans and Associates, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned, multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm with a rich history of over 45 years. We are committed to improving the quality of life and demonstrating stewardship of the built and natural environments. Our team of creative professionals works together to understand client needs, provide innovative thinking, and deliver extraordinary service that exceeds expectations.

About the Role:

As an Electrical Collection Systems Engineer in DEA's Energy Business Unit, you will be responsible for designing and implementing electrical systems for large-scale renewable energy projects. The ideal candidate will have a complete understanding of interconnection agreements, owner-provided exhibits, and the ability to collaborate with developers and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) teams. This role will require strong technical expertise in PV, BESS, and wind markets, along with the ability to contribute to technical discussions and ensure project specifications align with client and regulatory requirements.

The location for this hybrid-friendly position is flexible with a preference for individuals who are based near one of DEA's offices in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Utah, or Washington. Fully remote may be considered depending on circumstances. Some travel for project execution may be required.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop electrical collection systems, including AC/DC single-line diagrams, conduit layouts, trenching plans, and cable routing for utility-scale PV, BESS, and wind projects.
• Ensure designs comply with interconnection agreements and meet the specifications outlined in owner-provided exhibits.
• Participate in technical meetings with EPC contractors and developers, providing expertise and solutions for complex electrical system challenges.
• Perform electrical studies, including:
  • Load flow analysis
  • Short circuit calculations
  • Voltage drop assessments
  • Cable heating and ampacity analysis
  • Conduit fill calculations
  • Loss reports and energy performance analysis
• Use software tools such as ETAP, CYMCAP, EasyPower, CDEGS, PVSyst, and PVcase to model and optimize electrical systems.
• Adapt designs to comply with regional interconnection requirements across various ISO regions (e.g., PJM, ERCOT, CAISO, MISO).
• Review and ensure proper integration of battery enclosures and power conversion stations from different vendors.
• Provide detailed design markups and instructions for designers to create accurate site plans.
• Collaborate closely with EPC teams and developers to align electrical designs with overall project goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Offer technical support during construction, commissioning, and troubleshooting phases.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5 years of experience in electrical design for utility-scale renewable energy projects (open to candidates with 2 years of strong experience).
• Comprehensive understanding of interconnection agreements and ability to follow owner-provided exhibits.
• Experience working directly with EPC contractors and developers, particularly in technical discussions.
• Proficiency in ETAP, CYMCAP, EasyPower, CDEGS, PVSyst, and PVcase for electrical analysis and system modeling.
• Knowledge of regional standards and interconnection requirements across multiple ISO regions (e.g., PJM, ERCOT, CAISO, MISO).
• Strong working knowledge of the NEC and other applicable electrical codes.
• Expertise in utility-scale PV, BESS, and wind electrical collection systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Ability to provide clear technical solutions in meetings and adapt designs to evolving project needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with value engineering to optimize designs for performance and cost.
• Familiarity with electromagnetic interference analysis, grounding studies, and grid integration.
• Ability to create detailed, high-quality technical documentation and design markups.
• Proven experience with multi-disciplinary teams in the EPC and developer environments.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance.

• Health Savings and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contribution.

• Support for continuing education and training opportunities.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)/Holiday Pay.

• 401k and Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).

• Flexible 9/80 (every other Friday off) work schedule.

• Holistic Wellbeing Program with a focus on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community health.

• Opportunity for growth with support and mentoring to help achieve professional goals.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $151,000 commensurate with qualifications; will vary by location.

About DEA's Energy Business Unit:

Our Energy Business Unit partners with utility and transportation clients, developers, and construction contractors to provide power delivery and renewable energy infrastructure solutions so our communities and end users can access safe, reliable, affordable power. Our team has been delivering integrated design and project development solutions for over 40 years, meeting technical, financial, and political objectives for traditional and renewable energy facilities. Our capabilities focus on serving the power, renewable energy, transportation, and data center markets. We provide planning and design engineering services for low, medium, and high voltage facilities up to 500 kV.

Join Us:

At DEA, we believe in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where you can thrive and grow. If you are passionate about renewable energy and eager to lead, we encourage you to apply and join our team in shaping the future of energy.