Principal Engineer, Utility
aescleanenergy· Sep 18, 2026 · 1mo ago
US Louisville CO
In office
Full-time
Principal
$168K–$230K est.
10+ years exp
Job description
Are you ready to be part of a company that s not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.
AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.
We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.
Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.
If you re ready to be part of a company that s not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We re not just building a more sustainable future , we re powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.
The Principal Engineer – Utility Projects will be responsible for managing third parties in the design and engineering of large , utility-scale solar photovoltaic ( PV ) and battery energy storage (BESS) projects in late-stage development, construction , and operation within the [ Market ] market . Responsibilities include engineer management , design reviews , contract document development and negotiation, procurement specification preparation, and other technical support activities .
The Principal Project Engineer will join a team of utility -scale project execution engineers reporting to the [MARKET] market engineering manager and will serve as the lead project e ngineer for assigned projects. Additional responsibilities include mentor ing and tr aining other Engineers , directly support ing a dditi onal projects as a subject matter expert , driving innovation within the team , and driving institutional change within the wider organization .
The successful candidate will have a depth of experience in the development, analysis, and design of utility scale, transmission interconnected PV systems and battery storage systems. Experience with other renewable technologies including wind, green hydrogen, nu clear, hydroelectric , or d ata cent er design is a plus . Excellent communication, task management , and planning skills are needed, in addition to te chnical depth and brea dth .
The position is at one of AES US Renewables & Power offices or remote and will include up to 25% travel to project locations and partner offices.
Key Responsibilities
Project Execution
Support EPC engagement by preparing contract exhibits and supporting RFI’s during contract negotiations.
Seek and evaluate proposals for engineering services .
Manage engineering consultants and Engineer Procure Construct ( EPC ) contractors t hr o ugh develop ment of project construction drawings and support material s .
Perform technical project due diligence and project engineering design reviews to ensure compliance with company and industry standards .
L ead external and internal design review meetings .
Coordinate feedback from internal stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) on design reviews .
V alue engineer system design s to maximize reliability and reduce overall project cost.
Establish/review technical specifications of owner furnished equipment in coordination with Procurement and Sourcing.
Manage Procore RFIs and submittals and ensure complete and timely responses in coordination with other internal teams.
Technical support during construction including:
Respond to contractor request s for information (RFIs).
Support field quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) .
Review test reports for compliance with contract requirements and technical standards.
Support the technical resolution of punch list items.
Support commissioning activities.
Support internal Owner’s Engineering team through financing activities.
Support Operations/Asset Management teams to resolve technical issues at operating sites.
Assist Development and Project Management t eams with development of key financial inputs .
Develop and implement technical solutions to market specific requirements in coordination wit h market manager .
Growth and Leadership
Contribute to process improvement initiatives for the execution of safe, quality , and high-performance projects .
Provide timely feedback on EPC and external engineer performance, and document lessons learned to influence internal process enhancements.
Mentor and educate team on changing trends in technology, best practices , code enforcement, and safety .
Direct mentorship of other Engineers on job requirements and technical acumen.
S upport the team as a technical subject matter expert.
Support e valuat io n of emerging technolog ies and companies for the Approved Vendor List .
Safety
Attend site safety walks and identify jobsite hazards.
Obtain and m aintain safety training certification s ( NFPA 70E, OSHA 10-h ou r, and CPR/first aid).
Lead by example.
Skills and Qualifications
Primary Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in e ngineering (electrical, mechanical , or civil preferred) or equivalent technical field .
10 years professional experience in energy system design, project or land development, and/or construction . Advanced degrees in a related field may be credited towards years of experience.
5 years of experience in project management , consulting , or as a project engineer .
Engineering des ign exper ience including ei ther:
Electrical design experience of th e gene rator s ide of ut ility scal e PV and BE SS projects
Stormwater and grading exper tise with a thorough understanding of permitting processes and timelines .
Strong communication and interpersonal skills , including ability to successfully work cross-functionally across a large organization .
Self-starter with ability to work effectively in a remote and/or distributed team environment.
Ability to effectively manage third party consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Proficient with MS Office Suite .
Direct project experience with Procore.
Plus Qualifications
Graduate degree in e ngineering
EIT or PE qualifications
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification
Knowledge of BESS Fire Safety Codes and Standards
Experience with ETAP, SKM , PVsyst and other advanced modeling tools
Substation/High Voltage design experience
S tructural/SCADA/commissioning engineering design experience
Experience with AutoCAD Civil3D
Fluency in Spanish o r Po rtu guese
AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.
The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $145,000 and $181,050/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus. The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
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Benefits
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Dental
Vision
401(K)
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave