Senior Microgrid Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

At PRIME, a culture of empathy, trust, and belonging is foundational. This is integral in our approach to recruiting, developing, and retaining the best people in the industry. Our growth mindset drives us to embrace challenges and discover what sparks inspiration for creative solutions. PRIME is compelled to keep evolving, and creating new opportunities for those who perform. Our comprehensive services cover the entire lifecycle of a project, capabilities include electrical construction, service and maintenance, underground, utilities services, renewable energy, and low voltage technology solutions.

Consistently recognized as one of Washington’s Best Workplaces!

Position Summary:

You will act as the technical steward of our design portfolio — setting design criteria, reviewing third-party and in-house plan sets for correctness and code compliance, providing clear and actionable feedback, and enforcing our QA/QC process from preliminary proposal through construction. You will independently evaluate, select, and apply standard engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria, using sound professional judgment to adapt them to each project.

The Senior Microgrid Engineer is responsible for the design and technical execution of commercial and utility-scale off-grid solar PV and battery energy storage systems (BESS). This role develops complete engineering design packages, performs electrical calculations, supports construction activities, and collaborates with project managers, field teams, vendors, and clients throughout the project lifecycle.

What You Will Do

Design and engineering

• Independently produce complete construction drawing packages, including medium- and low-voltage AC and DC one-line and wiring diagrams, grounding plans, data acquisition system (DAS) diagrams, electrical site plans, mechanical diagrams, and equipment layouts.
• Prepare and check supporting electrical calculations, including equipment, conductor, conduit, and overcurrent protective device (OCPD) sizing, and voltage drop / power loss studies.
• Deliver design packages at both the preliminary proposal and detailed design levels, and coordinate their delivery to internal and external customers.

Design oversight and external firm management

• Manage and provide technical direction to in-house designers, CAD drafters, and third-party engineering firms producing project plan sets across multiple concurrent projects.
• Perform structured design reviews of all deliverables; hold internal and external teams to our design standards, CAD workflows, and QA/QC process.
• Verify full conformance with the NEC, NESC, and applicable state and local codes on all documents, and address authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) comments.
• Implement the engineering department’s design and CAD workflows across the team, coordinating with the CAD Manager for project support and standards conformance.

Project and construction support

• Attend meetings with internal and external customers; provide engineering support through the design and construction phases, including reviewing equipment submittals and responding to RFIs.
• Attend site visits as needed.
• Mentor less experienced designers and support their professional growth.
• Maintain professional and technical development goals, including acquiring or maintaining PE licensure.
• Adhere to the PRIME Safety Program, complying with safety regulations, procedures and safe work practices.
• Performs other duties as requested; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with our without notice.

What You Will Need to be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, and/or a minimum of four years of experience focused on commercial solar PV and BESS systems at an electrical design firm or design-build electrical contractor. Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
• Expertise in the NEC and NESC as applied to commercial microgrid design and construction.
• Expert proficiency in AutoCAD
• Advanced proficiency in HelioScope and PVsyst.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Meticulous work habits: close attention to detail, superior organizational and file management skills, and the ability to communicate and present technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to give constructive, actionable design feedback to outside firms.

Preferred qualifications

• PE license preferred; ability and willingness to obtain PE licensure encouraged.
• Experience directing or reviewing the work of third-party engineering firms (owner’s engineer or similar role).
• Working knowledge of codes and standards applicable to BESS and microgrids, such as NFPA 855, UL 9540/9540A, IEEE 1547, and IEEE 2030.7/2030.8.
• Proficiency with HOMER Pro, ETAP (or equivalent power system analysis software), and CYMCAP.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May supervise or coordinate the work of others who assist in specific assignments

Special Requirements/Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed in an office setting with minimal health or safety hazards.  Noise level and temperature is moderate.  Minimal lifting or climbing.  This position is expected to be fully in-person, with some travel such as, but not limited to, other offices, work sites and local business errands. 

When performing project services in the field:

Work is primarily performed in an outdoor field setting with occasional exposure to health or safety hazards such as, but not limited to, electrical hazards, water hazards, hazardous terrain, inclement weather conditions, traffic and loud noises.  Occasional climbing and/or lifting (up to 30 lbs.)  Travel required to work sites.  Frequent use of personal protective equipment (e.g. safety glasses, gloves, safety vests, hard hats and steel-toed boots).

Communication Skills: 

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, read and interpret documents such as submittals, operations manuals and project schedules.  Ability to write routine correspondence such as letters and memos. Ability to present information in one-on-one and small group situations to internal and/or external clients of the firm. Communicate clearly and effectively with project managers, team members, and stakeholders to support project execution.

Reasoning Ability and/or Critical Thinking:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instruction.  Constructive thinking and alternative short- to long-term solutions must be considered.  Action plans must be developed and implemented. Capacity to identify issues, propose solutions, and escalate matters as needed. Accurate documentation, record-keeping, and thorough review of project materials. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and contribute to project success.

Our Benefits

-100% coverage for Medical, Dental, and Vision, including dependents, with no premium cost to the employee

-401k Program w/ Direct Benefit

-100% Employer-paid Life Insurance

-Long Term Disability

-Profit Sharing and Discretionary Bonus Program

-Education/ Training Reimbursement Benefit

-Paid Time off and Holiday Time Off

*Prime Electric does not engage with or utilize recruiting or placement agencies for any recruiting or hiring needs. Prime hiring managers are not authorized to review or accept resume referrals from any agencies.

This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.