Senior Electrical Engineer (Development)

Senior Development Engineer  

JOB DESCRIPTION:  

Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation developing community-scale energy projects, with a focus on distributed solar and battery energy storage. A national developer with roots in the communities it serves, Chaberton is a two-time Inc. 5000 awardee and was named to Inc.’s 2025 Best Workplaces list. 

With a commitment to creativity, excellence, and humanity, Chaberton’s team develops distributed energy projects that improve grid reliability and resilience while lowering electricity costs for community members and businesses. We support projects across the full development lifecycle, with 190 projects under site control and a growing development pipeline of 1.25 gigawatts of opportunities under assessment or negotiation. 

We deeply value the communities we serve, from our employees and landowners to our partners, customers, and investors. Chaberton is a place where people find purpose, working collaboratively to develop projects that strengthen local energy infrastructure, make electricity more affordable, and deliver lasting economic value for the communities where we operate.

We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our growing team and contribute to a company with strong momentum and meaningful opportunities for growth.

ROLE OVERVIEW:   

We are looking for an experienced Senior Development Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate would bring relevant experience and a structured, yet entrepreneurial, approach to developing a pipeline of high-quality projects across the United States. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Manage projects and delegate workload and analysis tasks to the Chaberton engineering team. 
• Coordinate with Chaberton engineering team to create and review high quality and optimized solar designs in a timely manner. 
• >>> Influence project design as electrical subject matter expert. 
• >>> Manage engineers and designers to complete project designs. 
• >>> Review, revise, improve, and approve design documents, upholding highest standards via quality assurance reviews. 
• >>> Perform project optimization and value engineering. 
• >>> Advance the development of assigned projects to transaction-ready status. 
• Assess and ensure utility-specific interconnection requirements are applied accurately across a broad portfolio of projects. 
• Lead & review “bankable” productivity modeling via PVSyst. 
• Implement and maintain solar/electrical design and performance testing standards. 
• Resolve technical design issues related to site constraints, timeline, equipment assignment, interconnection studies, etc. 
• Manage outside engineering consultants and contractors; including bidding, contracting, and reviewing deliverables. 
• Establish new and maintain existing relationships with key equipment vendors and contractors. 
• Work independently, with the project team, and with outside parties such as landowners, public agencies, equipment vendors, contractors, etc. 
• Prepare presentations for project reviews and decision-making meetings. 
• Steward "long lead" equipment procurement initiatives including transformers, switchgear, and PV modules. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. 
• Professional Engineer (Electrical) licensure or comparable experience **If relying on comparable experience for the above, make this clear in your resume/cover letter** 
• At least 8 years of engineering experience in design, project management, and/or construction. 
• Experience with at least two of the following: 
• >>> Proficiency modeling solar productivity using PVSyst to include effects of topography and other factors on shading; able to describe pros/cons to various layouts and how to optimize project value. 
• >>> Experience and understanding of battery storage project design (standalone, DC, & AC coupled), sizing optimization, manufacturers, integrators, specifications, and costs; including contracting approaches and ability to integrate with photovoltaic projects. 
• >>> Experience negotiating technical specifications and successfully obtaining interconnection approvals and/or interconnection agreements and reaching COD on solar projects **list specific utility experience and role(s)** 
• >>> Experience conducting quality control/assurance checks, identifying trends and making systematic improvements to reduce future re-work. 
• Strong communication and presentation skills. Able to summarize complex issues and convey information effectively. 
• Able to create, review, and interpret technical documents and construction drawings. 
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. 
• Resourceful, curious, and proactive problem-solving attitude. 
• Able to collaborate with multiple disciplines including sales, engineering, permitting, and project origination. 
• Strong work ethic / desire to accomplish assigned tasks in a timely manner and meet / exceed milestones. 
• Proficient using AutoCAD, Excel, and Bluebeam (or similar). 
• Experience with solar industry engineering tools, such as: Google Earth, GIS tools, PVSyst, PVWatts, Helioscope, and AutoCAD plug-ins 
• Ability to travel up to 10% of time. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• At least 2 years of experience in a managerial role. 
• At least 8 years of experience in construction design and/or renewable energy industry. 
• Understand latest trends in solar/solar+storage design and implications for distributed generation. 
• The drive to play a key role in growing one of the most effective in-house distributed energy engineering teams in the industry! 

ROLE LOGISTICS:  

• Full-Time
• Preference for candidates to be located in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, however remote candidates may also be considered.
• Up to 10% travel may be required.
• Salary commensurate with experience, targeting base salary between $130-150k + bonus. 

INDUSTRY:  

Renewables & Environment