Senior Performance Engineer - (Remote + Signing bonus)

The Senior Performance Engineer will work closely with our remote operations centers and may assist in the development of advanced monitoring tools used to detect fleet operating issues. Work will include deriving more powerful metrics and techniques such as predictive maintenance triggers.

The Senior Performance Engineer will have deep knowledge of the theory and computer modeling platforms to simulate PV plant performance, determine if installed systems are exceeding production targets, and providing general diagnostic assessments when needed. The Senior Performance Engineer will need to keep abreast of latest theoretical developments and technologies. This may require participation in international code writing committees, presenting papers, and moderating panels at international symposiums.

The Senior Performance Engineer will help improve the bottom-line for our customers by proposing solutions to improve equipment uptime and generation potential. This may be completed by diagnosing issues that degrade capability and proposing recommended solutions. These solutions may involve capital investment in equipment and improved processes. Solutions may require the participation of other company departments as well as customer engagement. The Performance Engineer shall create clear and concise proposals. If accepted, the Performance Engineer may be expected to lead their project to completion.

At a high level, the Senior Performance Engineer is managing the portfolios of solar PV generating fleets. This is an internal stakeholder and external customer facing role. Key responsibilities will center around maintaining operating indicators at high levels, alerting service managers of trending issues, providing research and analytical support for diagnosing field problems, creating and executing on plant betterment action plans, and developing advanced computational methods. Also, as a core member of the O&M team, the Senior Performance Engineer may be involved in complex contract negotiations as the representative subject matter expert.

The Senior Performance Engineer may be responsible for the demonstration of project guarantees. These efforts include authoring and ratifying performance test procedures, being responsible for the accuracy of all instrumentation and confirming that the installed instrumentation meets testing goals, being responsible for the accuracy of all calculations. If necessary, the Performance Engineer will direct all testing activity that includes coordinating all stakeholders and publishing final reports.

The Senior Performance Engineer may assist our sales teams by: establishing project guarantees and the associated risk, review of performance models that project guarantees, negotiate agreements, assist in a timely fashion on sales support and customer negotiations as the performance expert.

The Senior Performance Engineer will be the designated contact for a set of operating plant, and they are accountable for accurate data and obligated reports. Additional analyses may be assigned at the request of external and internal customers. These evaluations will assess items such as equipment health, financial projections, energy credits, degradation, soiling, system issue diagnosis, and economic optimization. Some custom reporting will be as required by specific customer contracts or regulatory bodies. Further, the Senior Performance Engineer will develop methods that improve automated reporting systems in the areas of data validation, missed data collection, data curation, and troubleshooting tools.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.

The Senior Performance Engineer will have a solid understanding of instrumentation systems including primary sensors, analogue to digital conversion, signal conditioning and scaling, data logging, transport and archival. Specifically, an understanding is most important for power meters and meteorological measurement devices (insolation, and ambient conditions).

Performance Theory and Modeling

Education, Skills, and Related Work Experience (5-10 years in performance engineering, reliability engineering, or similar)

The Senior Performance Engineer will have a solid understating in the statistical propagation of measurement error and will have the ability to conduct a formal uncertainty analysis that provides confidence intervals surrounding results based on instrumentation systems and correction methods.

• Demonstrated analytical skills with the ability to accurately describe the relationship between physical events and trends in measured data of highly complex systems
• Proficiency with Python or Matlab type programing environments. Python is preferred.
• Ability to share technical expertise with team members and mentor others for success.
• Ability to work onsite in our Chandler, AZ office is preferred. However, for highly experience candidates, remote flexibility may be available.
• Training in energy systems is preferred with some understanding of PV performance prediction. This includes resource assessment, sky transposition models, mono/poly/thin film PV module characteristics, inverters, array soiling and shading, DC and AC collection systems, and power grid dynamics.
• Ability to work in cross-matrix teams of peers to efficiently complete highly complex projects and goals.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects and tasks.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and accurately in the spoken and written English while conveying a sense of professionalism, courtesy, and competency
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or physics. Graduate degree a bonus.

Sign-on bonus: Offering a $2,000 signing bonus.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support resources.
• Income Protection: Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.
• Competitive compensation package + Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Health Coverage: Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision plans effective on your first day.
• Legal Support: Access to legal assistance services.
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts (FSA/HSA): Options to help you save on healthcare costs.
• Additional Perks: Pet insurance and more employee benefits.
• Career Growth: On-the-job training with a clear path for advancement.