Senior Engineer (Energy)

Willdan Energy Solutions (WES), part of Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WLDN) is seeking an experienced Senior Engineer. The Senior Engineer will join Willdan’s growing Regional Energy Network team.

As a Senior Engineer, you will conduct and lead energy, electrification, and decarbonization assessments tailored to each customer’s expressed interests and needs, develop near- and long-term energy saving solutions that are aligned with program goals, and create reports and other materials that effectively communicate the identified opportunities. Our programs demand solutions that are both innovative and developed with attention paid to feasibility and constructability. In support of these broad tasks, the candidate will take a leadership role in managing assigned energy assessments and field inspections, developing initial rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates and energy savings for identified upgrades, collaborating with program engineers to assess incentive eligibility and documentation, developing and operationalizing software solutions, and evaluating the life-cycle performance of alternative solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a background in existing building systems and expertise in one or more of the following: pumps and motors, HVAC systems, lighting, building automation systems, and water heating. The candidate will have demonstrated work experience in energy project consulting and/or planning, preferably with public agencies. The candidate should thrive both as an individual and as a team member in our flexible work environment, sharing a commitment to the importance of our work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee and support field engineering staff to meet specified service cycle times.
• Manage task assignments within allotted hours/budget and scale efforts to ensure our clients are receiving maximum value for the agreed-upon budgets.
• Coordinate, lead, and participate in client and customer meetings; coordinate team member involvement as required.
• Conduct field work that may range from initial ASHRAE Level 1 clipboard audits to targeted investment-grade audits on time and on budget.
• Collaborate with program management, operations, and outreach teams so that all planning, scoping, scheduling, and technical approaches are integrated into a seamless customer experience.
• Collaborate with program engineers to assess incentive eligibility, documentation requirements, and appropriate measurement and verification approaches so that field data collection supports downstream savings claims.
• Lead the development of ROM cost estimates and energy saving estimates to facilitate and support the sales cycle.
• Evaluate project funding sources, including customer capital and maintenance budgets, energy program rebates and financing, and other outside financing opportunities.
• Provide technical owner’s rep services to customers when a project is going to be bid. Examples include developing scopes of work, initial 30% designs, facilitating language to support ongoing eligibility for incentive programs, and supporting the review of sealed bids by responding builders.
• Work and communicate effectively with professionals from varying departmental levels (both public and private sector); adequately managing differing priorities.
• Support long-term customer relationships between active projects.
• Support new business development for work of this type.
• Train and mentor junior engineering staff.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• Minimum of 6; 8+ years’ preferred experience in energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and/or facilities energy management best practices.
• Ability to lead, delegate, coordinate, and track project team tasks, including senior-level subject matter experts and junior engineers.
• Experience self-performing investment-grade facility energy assessments and data collection that focus on pumps and motors, HVAC systems, lighting, hot water systems, building automation, and process loads.
• Experience with distributed energy resources such as solar, battery, and thermal energy storage, and cogeneration systems, and their related infrastructure.
• Experience with customer-facing engagements that facilitate an accelerated sales cycle within performance contracting and consulting contexts.
• Understanding of energy efficiency, conservation, integrated demand side management, and decarbonization principles and calculation techniques.
• Familiarity with Municipal customer operations, including local government operations, public works departments, sustainability departments, and varying funding pathways.
• Familiarity with institutional customer operations (e.g., Universities and College Districts).
• Familiarity with ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs administered by Regional Energy Networks (RENs), Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), and Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs).
• Ability to develop customer/stakeholders-facing energy and sustainability planning reports and other presentation materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical staff and clients.
• Works well in a collaborative work environment, comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency with energy modeling software, such as eQUEST, Energy Toolbase, Universal Translator 3, and self-developed spreadsheet-based tools.
• Proficiency with MS Office programs.
• Significant regional travel will be required to conduct on-site energy assessments. Some regional travel will require overnight stays. A valid California Driver’s license is required.
  • Education and Certifications:
    • B.S. in engineering, energy, sustainability, or related discipline.
    • Professional Engineer License.
    • Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), or Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) (Preferred).
    • Building Operator Certification (Preferred).