Project Development Engineer

Job description

Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. We are a trusted, full-service partner to public sector and government entities, K-12 schools, higher education, utilities, and healthcare customers across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe. At Ameresco, we show the way by developing, constructing and operating tailored smart energy efficiency solutions, distributed energy resources, and infrastructure upgrades that drive cost savings, resilience, decarbonization, and innovation. Our comprehensive portfolio is built to address the challenges of today and adapt the future, ensuring long-term sustainability and success for our customers. Ameresco is seeking a Project Development Engineer to join our growing Renewable Energy team. This is a remote position joining a largely remote team with home office based in the Phoenix, AZ area. This position supports the development of behind-the-meter and front-of-meter solar PV, battery energy storage (BESS), microgrid, and EV charging infrastructure projects for commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal, and institutional clients across the country. Working in close partnership with dedicated Sales Executives, this role is the technical backbone of the project development process – from early feasibility through construction handoff, construction support, and through handoff to operations. The ideal candidate brings deep renewable energy engineering knowledge, strong analytical skills, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts clearly for customers and project teams. While customer interaction is a regular part of the role, it is primarily in a technical advisory capacity: supporting site assessments, responding to technical questions, and helping Sales communicate solutions credibly and accurately. Responsibilities: Technical Sales Support Partner with Sales Executives to provide technical expertise throughout the project pursuit process, from initial customer inquiry through proposal submission. Participate in customer site visits and meetings in a technical role, assessing project feasibility and presenting proposed solutions. Translate complex technical designs, system configurations, and financial models into clear, accessible language for customer-facing presentations and proposals. Prepare and review technical content for proposals, including system descriptions, energy production estimates, equipment specifications, and project schedules. Respond to customer technical questions and requests for information (RFIs) in coordination with the Sales team. Support Sales in understanding applicable incentive programs (ITC, IRA adders, SGIP, USDA REAP, net metering) and their impact on project economics. Technical Project Development Lead technical development of solar PV, battery energy storage, microgrid, and EV charging projects from early-stage feasibility through construction handoff, support construction and project management teams through to project completion. Evaluate system layout and design options based on customer site information, as-built drawings, and load profiles. Perform energy modeling, battery dispatch modeling, and utility cost/rate analysis to size and optimize systems. Assess microgrid configurations including islanding capabilities, resiliency design, and grid services potential. Visit customer sites to investigate project feasibility, electrical infrastructure, and interconnection methods. Coordinate onsite engineering and investigative activities with utilities, outside engineers, surveyors, and vendors. Make equipment selections based on project needs, technology performance, material availability, and costs. Develop and maintain financial models and project pricing during the development phase. Generate project budgets and schedules in conjunction with the Pre-Construction team. Provide technical support to Pre-Construction in the preparation of requests for bids. Interconnection, Permitting & Regulatory Manage utility interconnection submittals (NEM, SGIP, Rule 21, or applicable tariffs) and serve as primary point of contact with the utility. Oversee AHJ permitting submittals and coordinate responses through approvals. Monitor interconnection queue status and proactively manage schedule impacts. Identify applicable incentive programs including ITC, IRA adders, SGIP, USDA REAP, and state/local programs, and support their incorporation into project financial models. Construction Support & Closeout Consolidate and review project deliverables and technical documents generated by outside engineering and vendors. Support the Project Management team on material procurement and technical guidance during construction. Manage technical components of commissioning and project closeout following construction completion. Perform and/or review energy production, savings calculations, and financial evaluations of completed projects. Perform other duties as required. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or related discipline. Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in renewable energy project development, engineering design, or related field. Demonstrated experience with solar PV and/or battery energy storage project development. Familiarity with utility interconnection processes and permitting for distributed generation. Additional Qualifications: NABCEP PV Installation Professional or PV Technical Sales certification strongly preferred. Professional Engineering (PE) license, Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or LEED AP not required but considered a plus. Experience with microgrid design, islanding configurations, and/or grid services a significant plus. Knowledge of federal and state incentive programs including ITC, IRA adders, SGIP, USDA REAP, and net metering tariffs. Experience with energy storage incentive programs and dispatch optimization modeling. Proficiency with solar and storage design/modeling software: PVSyst, Helioscope, Aurora, Energy Toolbase, Xendee, and/or HOMER Pro. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills; ability to convey complex technical solutions clearly to non-technical audiences. Comfortable working alongside Sales Executives in customer meetings, site walks, and proposal presentations in a technical support capacity. Ability to analyze utility rate structures and model bill savings and financial returns (NPV, IRR, simple payback). Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with project scheduling tools a plus. Ability to travel up to 25% of the time for site visits and customer meetings. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $80,900 –$117,100 (presented in good faith). In addition to base pay, employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, and may be eligible for performance incentives, bonuses, commissions, or equity, depending on the role. Actual pay will depend on factors such as internal equity, skills, experience, education, certifications, and location. This range supports our commitment to pay transparency and compliance with applicable laws. Compensation may vary by work location, including remote arrangements. We disclose salary ranges and benefits in all required external and internal postings and will provide further details upon request at any stage of the hiring process. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. #LI-SMC Ameresco challenges the brightest, most talented, and creative individuals in the industry by providing an environment that fosters initiative and achievement. We are proud of our comprehensive and competitive employee benefits, including people-oriented insurance, investment, and incentive plans. All official communications from Ameresco will originate from an @ameresco.com email address. Any correspondence from other domains should be regarded as fraudulent. Please report any suspicious activity to the platform where the issue was encountered. For further inquiries or concerns, please contact us at 1-866-AMERESCO Ameresco is an Equal Opportunity Employer.