Sr. Solar PV and BESS System Design Engineer

Company Description

UPower Energy Corporation, the Philippine subsidiary of UPower Energy, is a US-based clean energy company established in 2018 with a mission to empower communities through renewable energy solutions. UPower supports community-driven and distributed energy projects across the Philippines by providing access to financing, infrastructure, development, and technical consultancy. With global experience and local execution, the company specializes in reliable and sustainable energy solutions for commercial, industrial, and community applications. UPower is committed to accelerating the energy transition and creating long-term value for local communities.

Role Description

This is a full-time remote role for a Sr. Solar PV and BESS System Design Engineer. The engineer will be responsible for designing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems. This role focuses primarily on electrical system design, requiring a deep understanding of the integration between solar PV arrays, BESS and MV grid interconnection.

You will own the engineering process from the early-stage conceptual design phase throughout to detailed engineering package. You will collaborate closely with project manager, procurement teams, and external EPC partners to optimize system performance, cost-efficiency and constructability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Conceptual & Preliminary Design

· Lead the initial technical assessment of project sites, including constraints analysis and layout optimization.

· Develop conceptual Single Line Diagrams (SLDs) and general arrangements for Solar PV and BESS projects.

· Perform preliminary energy modeling and yield analysis using PVSyst to validate project economics.

2. Detailed Electrical Engineering

· DC System Design: detailed string sizing, DC block design, cable scheduling, and voltage drop calculations to optimize the DC/AC ratio.

· AC System Design (LV/MV): Select and size inverters, pad-mounted transformers, combiner boxes, and switchgear.

· Interconnection: Design the Medium Voltage (MV) collection system and grid interconnection interface, ensuring compliance with utility requirements.

· Oversee the creation of detailed construction document sets, including 3-line diagrams, grounding plans, and trenching/conduit schedules.

3. Equipment Selection & Technical Support

· Evaluate and select major equipment (PV modules, inverters, racking systems, BESS containers) based on technical specifications and compatibility.

· Collaborate with the procurement team to review vendor submittals and manage Request for Information (RFI) processes during the bidding phase.

· Provide engineering support during the construction phase, addressing field changes and troubleshooting electrical issues.

4. Compliance & Standards

· Ensure all designs strictly adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC), IEEE standards, UL safety certifications, and local AHJ requirements.

· Review interconnection study reports (ISR) and coordinate with utilities to meet technical requirements for grid synchronization.

Minimal Requirements

1. Experience

· 5+ years of direct experience in the design and engineering of utility-scale or large C&I Solar PV and BESS projects.

· Proven track record of taking projects from conceptualization to Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings.

2. Technical and Soft Skill Set

· Expert proficiency in AutoCAD.

· Advanced mastery of PVSyst or equivalent tools for energy production modeling.

· Experience with power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, SKM Power*Tools, or DigSilent) for load flow, short circuit, and arc flash studies.

· Strong knowledge of NEC or IEC codes

· Strong analytical problem-solving abilities

· Strong communication skills to present complex electrical design and concepts to non-technical stakeholders

· Detailed-oriented with a focus on engineering excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

· Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Renewable Energy Engineering. (Master's degree preferred).

· Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) is the minimal requirement

· Professional Electrical Engineer (PEE) is high desirable (or the ability to obtain one within 12 months).

What's in it for you

• Competitive compensation package with base salary and bonus.
• Well-being perks including comprehensive medical, personal and other benefits
• Challenging and enjoyable environments for the people who want to learn and grow very quickly in career.