Job Description

Position: Geotechnical Solar / Battery Storage Plant Engineer

Supervisor: Director of Civil Engineering

Geotechnical Solar / Battery Storage Plant Engineer

Are you a detail-oriented professional motivated by the positive impact of renewable energy on our economy and environment? Do you thrive in a work environment that rewards insight, expertise, and growth? Are you experienced in analyzing soil and rock properties to design and assess the stability of foundations for a range of structures?

We are seeking an experienced Geotechnical Solar / Battery Storage Plant Engineer who will be responsible for the design, analysis, and evaluation of geotechnical aspects related to the foundation systems for large-scale solar power projects. This role will involve working closely with the civil, structural, and electrical engineering teams to ensure the optimal performance of solar array foundations, considering soil conditions, load-bearing capacity, and environmental factors. In this role, you will provide technical expertise to develop cost-effective foundation solutions for Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.

About the Company

Established in 2014, Gridworks is a leading EPC contractor for utility-scale solar and battery storage projects. Primarily operating across the southwest, we are expanding into other regions. With 2 GW of solar and battery energy storage projects we are well positioned for continued success in the rapidly growing clean energy sector.

Key Responsibilities:

Geotechnical Analysis & Design

• Conduct geotechnical site investigations to assess soil properties and conditions for solar array foundation systems.
• Analyze and design foundation systems for solar arrays, including shallow foundations, driven piles and screw piles
• Perform soil-structure interaction analysis and assess the impact of soil movement on the stability of solar structures.

Site Assessment & Investigation

• Supervise and manage geotechnical field investigations, including soil sampling, borehole drilling, and laboratory testing.
• Evaluate the geotechnical properties of the site, including soil composition, moisture content, compaction, and bearing capacity.
• Prepare geotechnical reports summarizing findings, recommendations, and design guidelines for solar foundation systems.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Work closely with other engineers (civil, structural, electrical) to integrate geotechnical solutions into the overall solar project design.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams regarding foundation design consideration and troubleshooting during construction.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that the foundation design is aligned with project schedules, budgets, and environment requirements.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure that foundation designs comply with relevant local, state, and national codes, standards, and regulations.
• Review and approve foundation construction methods and monitor field activities to ensure proper implementation.
• Prepare detailed engineering calculations, specifications, and reports for foundation designs.

Sustainability & Innovation

• Identify and propose innovative geotechnical solutions to optimize foundation designs and reduce environmental impact.
• Stay up-to-date with advancements in geotechnical engineering, renewable energy technologies, and sustainability practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• EIT certification required; working towards a P.E. license.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on foundation design for driven, helical, screw, and equipment foundations.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software, including PLAXIS 2D/3D, PYPile, L-Pile, A-Pile, Group, GeoStudio, SWMM, and HYDROCAD.
• Experience with AASHTO and ASTM test methods for construction materials (HMA, aggregates, soils, steel, masonry, and concrete).
• Knowledge of soil corrosion analysis and behavior of collapsible, liquefiable, swelling, and frost-susceptible soils.

Preferred Experience:

• Proficiency in STAAD Pro or similar structural analysis software.
• Solar industry experience is a plus.
• Hands-on experience in conducting or witnessing pile load tests.
• Programming knowledge (VBA, Python) for automation or data analysis.
• Familiarity with FHWA and DIN 50929 standards.
• Experience with civil grading and SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan).
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D.

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