Associate Engineer, Preconstruction

Signal Energy’s Preconstruction Engineer leads all technical and design work for assigned opportunities from initial project pursuit through conceptual design. The Preconstruction Engineer is responsible for creating innovative, constructable, and cost-competitive conceptual designs that meet all customer and permitting specifications as well as provide clear design quantities and cost-effective solutions to the Estimating team and prepare a technically sound Basis of Design for detailed development. This role will ensure all preconstruction efforts have the technical support needed to be successful.

Reports to: Director, Preconstruction Design

Manages: N/A                                                  

Works closely with: Pre-construction Management, Estimating, Detailed Engineering, Field Operations, and Procurement

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Review and analyze client provided documentation to determine project requirements, design parameters, and potential design challenges.
• Utilize client requested design guidelines to calculate project specific technical requirements, project feasibility, and project quantities.
• Develop design documentation (layouts, diagrams, and PVsyst models) that comply with applicable codes and project specifications.
• Evaluate multiple design options with respect to major equipment selection, site constraints, construction costs, and customer preferences etc. Communicate options clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to capture multi-disciplinary aspects of projects (civil, electrical, utility interconnection, procurement, etc.).
• Communicate conceptual project designs to internal teams, customers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Generate material and equipment specifications and quantities to be utilized for project pricing.
• Engage with multiple vendors and subcontractors for project pricing (SCADA, racking, etc.).
• Review and align vendor and subcontractor proposals and convey preferred pricing selection to internal teams taking into consideration purchase and installation costs as well as lead times.
• Support internal teams with technical evaluations of any additional proposals to confirm sound engineering principles.
• Compile thorough turnover documentation to set up Detailed Engineering for success with high quality and well-defined Basis of Design to complete engineering.
• Stay up to date on new and innovative technology and integrate concepts into design plans.

Attributes and Competencies

• Must be comfortable with the technical aspects of the job as well as business and customer interactions.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills, including ability to write clear and detailed technical reports, presentations, and emails.
• Must be a supportive team member, able to work in a collaborative environment as well as work on self-directed independent projects. Must be self-motivated with the ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Must be proficient in AutoCAD, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Preferable to also have experience with Pvsyst, Civil3D and Procore.
• Driven by desire to continuously improve processes, tools, and technology.
• Operate with positivity and enthusiasm, especially in high-stress situations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or related discipline from an accredited university.
• 2+ years’ experience in planning, design, and/or operations of photovoltaic systems.

Work Environment

• Work will be conducted from Signal Energy’s Houston, TX office.
• Preconstruction Engineers report directly to the Director, Preconstruction Design.
• The role will require occasional travel for office meetings or field visits to active construction sites, up to 10%.

Signal Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify.

We are not accepting resumes from Third Party Recruiting Firms for positions posted on our careers page. If you are an Agency or Search firm representative, contact the Signal Energy Constructors Talent Acquisition Manager directly at talent.acquisition@signalenergy.com for consideration. Signal Energy Constructors or its affiliates will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resumes and online response forms through this source. In addition, Signal Energy Constructors or its affiliates will not be responsible for any fees on unsolicited resumes that are submitted to any member of the Staffing or Operations team. Signal Energy Constructors has established an approved vendor program for this service, and will only consider accepting submissions from those approved firms.