Senior Project Development Engineer - Project Development M&A

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is forging an American energy future with integrity, innovation, and positive impact. Born in Texas in 2003, we own and operate over 30 utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects in local communities across the United States, totaling 4 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.  

LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through our robust pipeline of new projects every year. Domestic jobs and manufacturing are fundamental to our full-lifecycle approach to projects, along with a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the natural environment. 

The Sr. Project Development Engineer (P4) is responsible for the engineering and technical aspects of wind, solar, and energy storage utility-scale M&A projects during commercial transaction periods until the handoff to execution. This role will provide engineering leadership to support M&A transactions and ensures thorough evaluation of M&A projects through engineering due diligence and preliminary design work.

The Sr. Project Development Engineer plays a key role in optimizing the projects to ensure they are marketable and ready for execution while maintaining quality consistent with LRE’s long-term ownership focus. The position emphasizes collaboration and proactive risk management to inform the LRE pipeline and set the stage for future project success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts desktop site assessments for potential acquisition and divestiture projects to inform project capacity and energy in addition to engineering and constructability risks
• Utilizes strong background knowledge to diligence data rooms of potential project acquisitions
• Prepares data rooms with engineering documentation for potential divestitures
• Collaborate with M&A Managers, Project Development, and Finance teams to advance transactions that are accretive to value for LRE
• Prepares or manage preliminary site layouts
• Provides energy prediction reports in coordination with the performance engineering team
• Works with the engineering team to assess and anticipate engineering deliverable needs including site surveys, geotechnical reports, hydrology reports, conceptual grading and drainage plans, and preliminary collection, substation, civil, and structural designs
• Provides engineering/technical input to permitting, power purchase agreements, interconnect agreements, financial modeling, and other project development aspects
• Prepares engineering quantities and information for project budgets and schedules
• Represents LRE in M&A, development, permitting and origination meetings on engineering and technical issues, including meetings with the public and regulatory authorities
• Leads multiple projects simultaneously; manages competing priorities and overcomes obstacles to successfully meet submittal dates
• Gathers engineering scopes, exhibits, and site design criteria for the creation of RFPs for M&A and divestiture projects
• Reviews designs and calculations for quality control, performance optimization, and cost reduction opportunities
• Meets with external consultants and contractors to discuss design options, address concerns, and support contract negotiations.
• Conducts site visits for site evaluations
• Assists in the creation and review of site constraints maps
• Works directly with the procurement and performance team to stay current on wind turbine, solar module, solar inverter, and energy storage technology, offerings, and suppliers
• Contributes to engineering standard creation
• Coordinates with subject matter experts to identify long lead procurement items needed to support project schedules
• Maintains accurate project documentation and keeps stakeholders informed of project progress
• Transfers engineering knowledge and risks of assigned projects to the project engineer on the execution team during the pre-construction phase.
• Guide and train junior level engineers

Required Qualifications:

• 4-Year Bachelors Engineering Degree
• 6+ years of relevant technical experience including project development, permitting, conceptual and detailed engineering design, project engineering, scope preparation, scheduling, cost estimating, procurement, and contracts
• 5+ years development engineering experience in renewable energy industry
• Takes ownership and oversight of projects and tasks with complex issues
• Proficient in some of the following: AutoCAD, PVsyst, PlantPredict, PVFarm, Openwind, and other automated layout/optimization tools
• Understanding of M&A, project development, cost estimating and permitting processes
• Knowledge of project commercial issues and project financial analysis
• Strong project management skills
• Proficient knowledge of engineering economics and optimization process
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Organized with the ability to simultaneously oversee multiple development projects
• Well-developed and professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with people at all levels of the organization, as well as outside customers and vendors
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to manage priorities in a complex and dynamic environment
• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation and drawings and other common specifications
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and possession of a valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep technical knowledge of PV, wind, and storage power plant systems and equipment.
• Strong knowledge in procurement and construction processes and procedures
• Familiarity with building codes and standards including the IBC, ASCE 7, and the NEC
• Obtained PE license

Reporting Structure:

The Project Development Engineer reports to the Director of Project Engineering within the Project Construction Management Organization.

Physical Demands:

• Position will require sitting for long periods of time
• Occasionally lifting up to twenty-pound boxes.
• Willingness and ability to travel at least 25% of time

Please Note: This is an in-office role, requiring on site presence in our office a minimum of three days per week with hybrid flexibility of working remotely two days per week, subject to manager and policy approval. #LI-Hybrid

LRE considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, the salary range for the Sr Project Development Engineer (M&A) is between $138,000 to $194,000 annually. Compensation is set within the range based on each candidate’s background, with the potential to grow as responsibilities and experience increase. This position also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, health, dental, vision, and life insurance. For a complete overview of our benefits, please visit: https://www.lreus.com/about-us/careers/

Applicants must have current authorization to work for any employer in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for an employment visa now or in the future. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies:Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE’s HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.