Project Valuation Engineer
$117k - $132k USD
New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.
New Leaf Energy is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Project Valuation Engineer to lead and enhance our value engineering, performance modeling, and cost estimation practices. This role will support distributed and utility-scale solar, energy storage and wind projects. This team member works closely with cross-functional teams, including Design Engineering, Project Finance, and Regional Project Development Teams, to ensure projects are valued appropriately and optimized for direct profits.
This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA, or Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, or Troy, NY offices. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and are free to work from the office or from home on other days.
Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Value Engineering and Cost Estimation (50%)
- Support sizing, optimization and value engineering efforts at both the market level and project level for PV & ESS projects by using internal tools as well as external platforms such as Anza, Fractal, Wood Mackenzie, etc.;
- Apply technical knowledge to optimize designs for various metrics such as specific yield, capacity, project costs, levelized cost of energy and direct profit;
- Establish and maintain templates for EPC cost estimates for distributed and utility-scale renewable energy (PV, ESS & wind) projects;
- Perform EPC pricing model reviews and ensure alignment with market trends;
- Collaborate with product teams to ensure optimization results utilize equipment informed by their research and buyer preferences.
Performance Modeling and Analysis (25%)
- Own and maintain New Leaf Energy's photovoltaic (PV) project performance modeling and ESS dispatch modeling standards for distributed and utility scale projects;
- Engage with independent engineering firms and industry stakeholders to stay informed of best practices and innovations;
- Provide review of performance models when needed;
- Support Regional Teams by creating analytical models that optimize for changing policy, incentives and verticals
Tool Development and Training (25%)
- Create, maintain, and improve in-house engineering tools for PV performance modeling, ESS dispatch modeling, cost estimation, and optimization for existing and new markets;
- Provide training and support on performance modeling software, estimation tools and optimization across the organization, enabling engineers to work independently;
- Understand project developer and project finance requirements of design, performance modeling, pricing, and valuation at different stages of development, and identify how scope management and other approaches can be deployed to reduce lead time.
Desired Qualifications
While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related field;
- Minimum 4 years experience in Solar and/or Energy storage project design engineering;
- Experience evaluating LCOE, OPEX, CAPEX, etc. for renewable energy projects;
- Proven experience with performance modeling software (PVsyst, PVCase, Helioscope etc.) and cost estimation tools;
- Excellent use of MS Excel with VBA, and/or additional coding languages;
- Ability to interpret complex electrical and mechanical drawings and translate technical insights into actionable recommendations;
- Proficiency in developing and maintaining automation tools and prediction models;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to deploy these in service of continuous improvement initiatives;
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills for cross-functional teamwork, and a service-oriented mindset;
- A proactive approach to learning industry trends and integrating innovative solutions.
Compensation
New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.
Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position is $117,180 - $132,360. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 10% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience.
We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.
Benefits and Culture
New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:
- Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
- A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
- An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
- A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
- A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
- Professional development and education assistance.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.
We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.
A Note to Third-Party Recruiters
New Leaf Energy’s People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.