Director, Product Engineering

The Role

We are looking for a Director to lead a team that provides power systems engineering expertise for off-grid and grid-tied microgrids and data centers. Our projects typically include managing a variety of DER and microgrid assets - such as solar, energy storage, switchgear, controls, and reciprocating engines.

You will report to our Chief Technology Officer. This role can be remote, but we have a preference for someone to be hybrid, based out of either our Ridgewood, NJ, NYC, Santa Monica, or Oakland, CA offices.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Provide technical expertise to develop core technologies that our project teams will utilize to deliver distributed energy solutions.
• Leverage electrical and power engineering knowledge to define best practices and publish internal standards and guidelines to ensure high-quality microgrid projects are engineered well for our clients.
• Review project-specific electrical designs and the sequence of operations for controls.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance on relay protection settings and power systems analysis.
• Define long-term technical vision and product roadmaps for microgrid design and core technologies.
• Work with the business development, execution, and commercial teams to ensure our microgrids are appropriately integrated into the customer site and are technically correct, practical, and cost-effective.
• Utilize strong technical and communication skills to interface with all aspects of the business, vendors, and customers.
• Support, build, and grow a diverse team.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to team members.
• Guide individuals in setting clear goals and provide regular feedback on performance to foster career growth.
• Coordinate project staffing and prioritization.
• Implement new tools and practices as needed to make the team more effective.

The Ideal Candidate

• 10+ years of power systems experience with 3+ years of experience building and leading technical teams, preferably in a high-growth company.
• Thorough technical understanding of distributed energy technologies, including solar, battery, switchgear, and reciprocating engines/turbines.
• Understanding of rotating power with reciprocating engines in the 200kW to 5MW size range per engine. This includes parallel operation with the utility bus as well as with other DERs, both in grid parallel mode as well as island mode operations.
• Understanding of switchgear and relay protective settings (SEL, Beckwith).
• Experience in medium voltage switchgear, including 13.8kV, 23kV, and 34.5kV.
• Core competency in transformer design, short circuit analysis, grounding schemes, and power systems analysis.
• Strong knowledge of the various DER power sources within the Microgrid and how they best interface with the utility to provide a more efficient system.
• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of the US power markets, the interconnection process, and requirements.
• Knowledge of systems controls for all the DERs and how they can be utilized to accomplish specific operating goals while part of the Microgrid.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate with technical and non-technical people to make projects work.
• Understanding of relevant building, electrical, civil, etc., codes is a plus.
• BS in Electrical Engineering with a focus on the power side.
• PE in power and electrical engineering is preferred.
• ·Experience at an engineering/consulting firm is a plus.
• Advanced courses in power or a higher-level degree in the field are preferred.