Principal Electrical Engineer

NorthITE is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to serve as a senior technical leader and subject matter expert for distributed generation and commercial solar + storage projects. The role focuses on advanced electrical design, performance optimization, system integration, and technical oversight for solar installations and associated battery energy storage systems.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the lead technical authority on electrical engineering for distributed solar and battery energy storage projects, including rooftop (commercial/industrial), carport, ground-mount PV systems, and co-located or standalone BESS
• Review advanced performance engineering and energy modeling using PVsyst, conducting detailed simulations, shading analysis, loss modeling, sensitivity studies, yield optimization, and hybrid solar + storage performance assessments to inform project economics, financing, PPA terms, peak shaving, arbitrage opportunities, and operational expectations
• Subject Matter Expert for any Interconnection related issues, processes and medium voltage
• Review complex electrical designs, including system layouts, single-line diagrams, DC/AC configurations, interconnection strategies, grounding, protection coordination, inverter/BESS controls, energy management systems (EMS), and compliance with utility interconnection requirements
• Provide expert technical guidance on power systems, inverters, transformers, battery technologies (e.g., lithium-ion), charge/discharge strategies, fire safety, thermal management, and grid services (e.g., frequency regulation, voltage support)
• Lead technical due diligence for project acquisitions, landowner consultations, developer partnerships, third-party engineering reviews, and BESS-specific risk assessments
• Ensure all designs meet or exceed industry standards, codes (e.g., NEC, IEEE, UL 9540 for energy storage), NFPA guidelines, and state-specific regulations in key markets (e.g., MA, NJ, CA), including permitting for solar + storage hybrids
• Collaborate closely with development, project management, procurement, construction, operations, and finance teams to resolve technical challenges, optimize system configurations, and maximize project value
• Contribute to innovation by evaluating emerging technologies (e.g., advanced BESS chemistries, hybrid controls), refining internal engineering processes, and mentoring junior engineers on solar + storage best practices
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, interconnection applications, performance forecasts, safety analyses, and presentations for internal stakeholders, investors, utilities, and regulatory bodies
• Stay current with advancements in solar PV, battery energy storage, grid integration, renewable energy policies, and market drivers (e.g., ITC for solar + storage) to drive strategic technical decisions

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; Master's degree or PhD preferred
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification, with Massachusetts being the preferred but not required State
• 5+ years of progressive experience in electrical engineering for renewable energy, with significant focus on solar PV and battery energy storage systems
• Demonstrated deep expertise in DG and commercial solar projects, including hands-on design and delivery of rooftop, carport, and ground-mount systems, preferably with integrated or co-located BESS
• Advanced proficiency in performance engineering and energy modeling using PVsyst, with a track record of producing accurate, bankable yield assessments, hybrid solar + storage simulations, and optimization recommendations
• Strong knowledge of power electronics, inverters, transformers, grounding/protection schemes, battery management systems (BMS), energy storage safety, and utility interconnection processes for solar + storage projects
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required (or ability to obtain reciprocity in multiple states)
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills, with the ability to explain complex solar + storage concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Willingness to travel to project sites or partner locations as needed (up to 20%)
• Experience with PSCAD for power system dynamic simulations, transient analysis, and grid impact studies involving BESS
• Familiarity with additional solar and storage tools (e.g., Helioscope, AutoCAD Electrical, battery modeling software like SAM or GridLAB-D)
• Knowledge of U.S. renewable energy markets, federal/state incentives (e.g., ITC, MACRS for solar + storage), permitting processes, community solar/subscriber models, and grid services revenue streams
• Prior experience in a solar developer or owner-operator environment, particularly with C&I distributed solar + storage projects
• Track record of technical leadership on multimillion-dollar solar and battery storage portfolios