***Positions posted by El Comeback are done on behalf of companies that we support in their search for candidates.***

Our partner, AGC Solutions is looking for a VP Engineering & Pre-Construction Solar & Energy Storage

Full Time
San Juan, PR, PR

Overview
A Puerto Rico-based, ArcLight Capital-backed platform, focused on utility-scale and commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects. The platform includes a dedicated operating and asset management team positioned to develop, build, and operate renewable opportunities in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Overview
The Vice President of Engineering & Pre-Construction plays a crucial role in the future of the company, with a broad mandate to take identified projects from the conceptual stage all the way to notice to proceed. The VP of Engineering & Pre-Construction, supported by other functions as needed, is responsible for the full life-cycle of development engineering, cost-estimating, scheduling, initial system layout and design, site evaluation and studies, project feasibility and due diligence evaluation, design optimization, project scope development, permitting, financial modeling inputs, vendor and contractor agreement negotiations, PPA and Interconnection agreement negotiations, ultimately through to completed engineering design approval, EPC and equipment contracting, equipment delivery, and turn over to VP of Construction for installation execution.

The VP of Engineering & Pre-Construction will ensure the team maintains industry-leading expertise in solar and battery storage, meets with key suppliers, identifies and mitigates risk, optimizes energy production versus cost, and considers community and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Schedule Management

• Oversee the scheduling of engineering and pre-construction activities, ensuring projects progress from conceptual layouts through permitting and approvals to meet established timelines.
• Lead and drive a team of internal employees and external resources for the development of renewable energy projects from initial siting and conceptual layout, through permitting, design optimization, and completion, interconnection approvals, and handover to construction execution.
• Coordinate the design of the controls system with all suppliers, contractors, project team members, off-taker, and grid operator to ensure offtake and interconnection agreement requirements are achieved.
• Create conceptual site BESS & PV layout and determine optimal DC sizing with considerations for DC to AC ratio, active and reactive power, and capital costs.
• Lead the completion of and incorporation of site-specific technical requirements including geotechnical, pull testing, hydrology studies, archaeological studies, flood zones, etc.

Budget Tracking

• Manage construction request for proposals to obtain construction installation bids.
• Create equipment and EPC request for proposals, generate technical and commercial bid tab analysis, and make ultimate technology and contractor selection.
• Support the project controls manager in project cost estimation of the total project cost based upon the site-specific PV layout, design, and equipment selected.
• Compare site-specific estimates to other reference plant costs.

Risk Assessment & Mitigation

• Manage and conduct due diligence on multiple project developments and acquisitions, including design, cost, schedule, and risk assessments.
• Lead the selection of vendors and negotiation of critical project agreements, including modules, BESS, inverters, transformers, EPC contractors, PPA, Interconnection Agreements, O&M Agreements, and land-owner agreements.
• Lead projects through financing due diligence efforts, pro-forma financial models, Investment Committee processes, and approvals.
• Ensure all PPOA requirements are incorporated into design and project execution.

Documentation & Reporting

• Provide regular updates to key stakeholders, including investors.
• Coordinate all project design submittals with the Owners Engineer and Offtaker for approval. Serve as the primary point of contact to coordinate project designs with Independent Engineers, Government or Finance Parties, LPO, and other agencies.
• Support, develop, and review the Independent Engineers assessment of the project.
• Evaluate technical proposals from vendors for EPC contractors, modules, inverters, racking systems, transformers, BESS, switchgear, breakers & fuses, and balance of plant equipment.

Management

• Lead and direct team members while ensuring safety and quality are at the forefront of all work.
• Lead and drive a team of internal employees and external resources for the development of renewable energy projects, including vendor and EPC contracting, financing, and IE reporting.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Prior Experience

• Engineering or Construction Management degree, electrical engineering preferred
• Minimum 10 years of work experience, with minimum 5 years in renewable energy and some experience in battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• Prior experience leading a team of engineers and procurement supply chain responsible for the execution of the companys solar and BESS projects
• Prior responsibility for technology selection, technical due diligence, risk assessment, supply contract negotiation, and execution
• Prior experience designing AC and DC coupled BESS+PV systems
• Prior experience overseeing start-up, testing, and commissioning of PV and BESS systems
• Prior experience supporting, developing, and reviewing Independent Engineers assessment of the project
• Prior experience developing, managing, and coordinating the implementation of control and SCADA systems for PV and BESS systems
• Prior experience with PV site layout and design, including with pvDesign software (or similar)
• Prior experience with PVSyst and development of total cost of ownership, and analyzing financial models for project optimization
• Prior factory visits to major suppliers in Europe and/or China
• Fully Bilingual (English & Spanish) Preferred

Travel
Travel to existing and potential project sites as well as to vendor and contractor facilities.

Base Salary
$150,000

***El Comeback is a non-profit program from ConPRmetidos that attracts and retains professional talent for Puerto Rico-based jobs. Register at elcomebackpr.org/registration-form to get matched with professional opportunities on the island.***