Senior Director - Operations Engineering

The Senior Director - Operations Engineering position is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing engineering operations across utility-scale renewable energy projects such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) and solar. The Senior Director will possess deep technical knowledge, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for driving the energy transition, enabling them to lead the technical operations, optimization, and performance management of Aypa’s energy assets, with a strong focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This position ensures technical excellence, operational efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals, reporting directly to EVP, Asset Management.  
 
Responsibilities:

• Lead the Operations Engineering team supporting utility-scale BESS and solar assets across their lifecycle – from commissioning to decommissioning;
• Develop and implement operational strategies to maximize energy production, asset availability, and safety;
• Collaborate with senior leadership on long-term operational planning, budgeting, and technology roadmap development;
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system reliability and reduce downtime;
• Oversee Operation Technology (OT) engineering team for SCADA and network design, configuration, management and commissioning on multiple projects;
• Oversee performance analysis of BESS and renewable energy systems using SCADA, EMS, and data analytics platforms;
• Provide technical oversight for troubleshooting complex system issues, including inverter performance, substation operations, battery degradation, and thermal management;
• Guide engineering teams in evaluating asset performance KPIs and implementing predictive maintenance protocols;
• Ensure safe and compliant operations in accordance with regulatory, OEM, and environmental standards;
• Assist in conducting regular internal compliance audits and risk assessments, ensuring adherence to all NERC Standards and CIP requirements and other applicable regulations;
• Support the transition of new projects from EPC to operations, ensuring operability, documentation, and training readiness;
• Interface with project development, design, and EPC teams to ensure operational requirements are considered in design phases;
• Other duties as required or assigned.

Key Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in Operations Engineering of utility-scale renewable energy projects;
• Bachelor’s Degree – Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Master’s Degree a plus
• Strong leadership and team management skills;
• Hands-on experience with SCADA, EMS, substation/transmission systems, and regulatory compliance;
• Experience transitioning projects from EPC to operations;
• Ability to lead root cause analysis (RCA) and implement continuous improvement initiatives;
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills. 

Compensation and Location:

Salary: A base salary commensurate with experience;Bonus: An annual bonus will be awarded based on individual performance and the overall success of the business;Benefits: Aypa offers an attractive benefits package with excellent health care/dental/vision, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, paid parental leave, and other health/wellness benefits;Location: Remote (USA). The ability to work in the United States is a requirement;   Travel: 20%