Staff BESS Electrical Design Engineer, EPC
Redwood Materials · San Francisco, United States +1 · 4mo ago
About Redwood Materials
Redwood Materials was founded in 2017 by JB Straubel, co-founder and former CTO of Tesla, on a simple but radical idea: the critical minerals powering the energy transition already exist. They just need to come back. Today Redwood is the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America — recovering, refining, and redeploying critical minerals from end-of-life batteries back into the supply chain. On the energy side, Redwood has deployed the largest second-life battery project in the world, delivering power to AI data centers in months rather than years using proprietary energy architecture engineered entirely in-house. The company is profitable, the market it operates in is projected to grow 20 to 50 times over the next decade, and Redwood is the only company with the supply chain, the technology, and the operational scale to lead it.
Staff BESS Electrical Design Engineer, EPC
Redwood Materials is seeking a Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Electrical Engineer to join our EPC team. This role is central to the design of scalable, high-performance energy storage infrastructure for utility-scale and distributed applications. Our mission is to build a sustainable circular economy for lithium-ion batteries by transforming recycled materials into high-quality inputs for new batteries.
Responsibilities will include:
- Lead electrical engineering efforts for utility scale lithium-ion BESS projects from concept (system sizing, layout) through construction.
- Interface with utilities and ISO/RTOs to support interconnection studies/submittals, permitting, and compliance for new renewable and BESS projects.
- Serve as the internal subject matter expert (SME) for technical challenges related to BESS.
- Design AC and DC electrical systems for BESS using medium voltage transformers, inverters, DC combiners, energy managers, and battery modules. Specify and procure long-lead AC equipment.
- Develop schematic diagrams, single-line diagrams, wiring schematics, raceway plans, grounding plans, and protection strategies for AC and DC systems.
- Specify and evaluate components such as circuit breakers, contactors, fuses, disconnects, emergency power off (EPO), and metering devices.
- Coordinate with civil, structural, fire & life safety, SCADA/telecom, geotechnical, and DC system design teams to produce complete IFC packages and technical specifications.
- Ensure designs comply with applicable codes and standards such as NEC 705, NEC 706, IEEE 1547, UL 9540, NFPA 855, and local amendments. Lead code reviews and provide summary to internal teams.
- Integration of BESS with grid infrastructure and other renewable and traditional energy sources.
- Perform power system studies for short circuit, load flow, arc flash, and protective device coordination for AC and DC systems.
- Serve as the Electrical Engineer of Record for assigned projects.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of BESS technologies, codes, and industry trends.
- Lead R&D efforts to perform feasibility analysis of using medium voltage DC distribution system for integrating BESS with other sources.
- Provide CA support for RFIs, submittal reviews, change orders, and site inspections.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external consultants to track scope, schedule, and budget.
- Prepare engineering cost estimates and project schedules in collaboration with project controls at various design milestones.
- Perform QA/QC reviews of electrical designs and mentor junior engineers.
- Contribute to internal design standards, templates, and best practices.
- Manage project workload and ensure timely delivery of engineering documents.
- Support strategic initiatives related to grid integration, renewable energy, and energy storage.
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET accredited program.
- Licensed Professional Engineer in Nevada or eligible for reciprocity. Must get their PE in Nevada and South Carolina within 2 months of start date.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in solar, energy storage, or microgrid sectors, with at least 3 years focused on BESS design and deployment.
- Proven expertise in interconnection and regulatory compliance for BESS systems.
- SME in knowledge of NEC 705, NEC 706, IEEE 1547, UL 9540, and NFPA 855.
- Advanced proficiency in:
- Microgrid and hybrid power systems modeling tools using HOMER or similar
- Power system modeling using ETAP, SKM, or similar
- AutoCAD/Revit, Navisworks, Bluebeam, Microsoft Office
- Preferred proficiency in:
- Transmission-level load flow and stability using PSSE and PSLF
- Electromagnetic Transient Simulations using PSCAD, EMTC or similar
- SEL Relay Settings using SEL AcSELerator or equivalent
- Design of HVDC systems and converter station
- Strong understanding of energy storage use-cases including peak shaving, load shifting, demand response, and frequency response.
- Highly motivated, proactive, and detail oriented.
- Ability to communicate effectively through verbal, written, and visual formats.
In accordance with California pay transparency laws, the salary range for this position is listed below. Actual compensation may vary based on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and skills.
The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
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