Principal Project Engineer - BESS Projects

Your Impact as a Principal Project Engineer:

We seek an experienced Principal Project Engineer, BESS Projects, to own the engineering strategy, design optimization, and technical execution of Energy Vault BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) projects. In this role, you will serve as the senior technical authority across multiple concurrent projects, partnering with project managers, construction managers, customers, outside vendors, AHJs, and consultants. You will bring strong electrical and substation engineering depth to the team, ensuring MV/HV interconnection, protection, and balance-of-plant designs are technically sound, constructible, and optimized. As we rapidly grow and deliver on more contracts worldwide, you will define and scale the processes, standards, technology, and products that drive repeatable project success. Energy Vault operates as both an independent power producer (IPP) and an integrator for customer projects.

Your Mission:

Own end-to-end technical execution across a portfolio of BESS projects, ensuring scope, schedule, and stakeholders remain aligned from development through commissioning and turnover.

Proactively identify gaps in scope, responsibility, and interfaces across the engineering, procurement, construction, and permitting process; drive resolution with stakeholders to protect project success.

Serve as the technical authority on complex project issues, applying engineering principles and engaging subject matter experts to drive sound, timely solutions.

Define equipment specification standards and lead the specification, technical evaluation, and selection of major equipment, including transformers, switchgear, and protection solutions.

Act as the primary technical interface with internal (project managers, product engineers, sales team) and external stakeholders (utilities, AHJs, EPC contractors, end customers), representing Energy Vault in critical technical discussions.

Lead the review and approval of project design documents, including single line drawings, communication diagrams, layouts, and equipment test reports; maintain design configuration control.

Review and assess electrical designs for BESS projects, covering MV/HV substation design, switchgear, transformers, protection systems, grounding, and balance of plant.

Direct and review electrical system studies, including load flow, short circuit, protective relay coordination, arc flash, grounding, and cable sizing; ensure designs meet utility interconnection requirements and applicable IEEE/ANSI, IEC, and NEC standards.

Plan, direct, and oversee BESS project commissioning across multiple sites.

Provide technical input to proposals and early-stage project development, including design approach, cost, and technical risk.

Establish and continuously improve engineering processes, standards, and lessons-learned practices; provide strategic feedback to shape internal processes and product.

Mentor and provide technical guidance to project engineers across the team, strengthening the team's electrical and substation engineering capability.

Your Background:

12+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in an electrical or power systems engineering program, or 10+ years of experience with a Master’s degree in the same programs.

Proven track record leading project design and technical execution, preferably in the building of large power stations or PV or other utility-scale power projects

Strong electrical engineering background with hands-on experience in MV/HV substation design and engineering, including switchgear, power transformers, protection and control, and grounding

Experience performing or overseeing power system studies (load flow, short circuit, relay coordination, arc flash, grounding) using tools such as ETAP, SKM PowerTools, or CDEGS

Background with a utility, engineering consultancy, or EPC firm in substation or utility-scale generation design is a strong plus

7+ years of BESS project experience, preferred

5+ years of experience working on EPC projects

Demonstrated experience serving as technical lead across multiple concurrent projects and mentoring engineers

PE certification or equivalent, preferred

Strong working knowledge of permitting processes with local authorities

Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, up to 30%

Comfortable in fast-paced, rapid growth environments

A passion for sustainability, our mission, and our vision is a bonus!

Benefits of Powering the Future with Energy Vault:

Annual bonus plan.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
401K employer matching.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and family.
Flexible Spending Account.
Company-paid Life insurance, Short- and Long-term disability insurance.
8-weeks for Paternity leave.
Generous holiday allowance.
Flexible time off plus sick leave.
Reimbursement for home office equipment, phone, and internet expenses.