Civil Engineer

Urban Grid, a leading independent power producer, facilitates a rapid and sustainable energy transition by developing high-quality renewable energy projects, fostering community partnerships, and serving as a good land steward. Our company is positioned to own and operate its facilities while cultivating a land management system that benefits farmers, communities, and the natural world through agrivoltaics. Urban Grid maintains a delivery-focused approach with the goal of being a good neighbor, corporate citizen, and trusted energy solutions partner. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with teams situated strategically throughout the United States, Urban Grid has a long history of contributing to the clean energy economy. In addition to 940 megawatts currently under construction, we are actively developing a growing portfolio of more than 12,000 megawatts of solar PV and 7,000 megawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com.

 Urban Grid is a portfolio company of Brookfield. one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.

Job Summary

Urban Grid is seeking an experienced and motivated Civil Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will have 7+ years of broad civil engineering, land development, and site-related construction knowledge.    Design and construction experience in Utility Scale PV Solar Plants is preferred but not required.  The successful candidate will have expertise in highly technical in stormwater management approaches and methodologies, will understand land survey requirements, and have an advanced mastery of AutoCAD Civil 3D for earthworks analysis.

 The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Urban Grid teams from early development through construction, and final closeout.  Tasks will range from complex earthworks analysis to RFI support during construction.  This position will serve as a civil subject matter expert (SME).  The successful candidate will be a self-managed team-player with excellent technical skills and CAD capabilities, as well as possess a wide-range of land development technical knowledge to liaison between internal departments, external consultants, and EPC contractors.  The Individual must have strong organizational skills and be able to manage multiple projects with concurrent deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Review and implement stormwater and erosion and sediment control requirements on Urban Grid projects from early design concepts through detailed design per Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) project specific requirements while also maximizing site usable area for solar development.
• Perform earthworks analysis and value engineering on early, mid-, and late-stage projects to guide the design, the selection of racking structures, and civil grading approach.
• Interpret and understand geotechnical data and identify risks and issues caused by shallow bedrock, excessive slope, wetlands, storm water features and setback requirements.
• Create technical exhibits to support real estate leases, construction coordination, landowner agreements and communications, AutoCAD civil 3D analyses, earthworks, and other project related efforts.
• Review ALTA surveys, landowner agreements, and land use approval obligations to ensure construction plans are compliant.
• Interface directly with civil engineering consultants in the development of civil construction drawings and design packages to support permitting and EPC bidding efforts for large utility scale (500 – 1500+ acres) solar power plants.
• Assist in developing quantity takeoffs, estimates, and bid packages for EPC bid solicitation, and actively participate in bid review and bid award process.
• Work with civil consultants and EPC partners to ensure compliance with all applicable contractual obligations, AHJ requirements, standard industry design practices, applicable laws and codes, especially any set forth during a local Conditional Use / Special Use (CUP/SUP) permit process.
• Review appropriately detailed civil construction drawings for streamlined communication with Internal Departments, External Consultants, Permitting Agencies, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), Contractors, and Utilities.
• Provide recommendations and/or mitigation measures to resolve all risks, costs adders, and anticipated construction issues during the design process.
• Review third party proposals for civil, survey, and geotechnical work and make recommendations to the Development Project Manager for approval.
• Manage early civil design and material take-offs provided by third parties and coordinate with internal departments for project cost estimating purposes.

Location:  Houston, Texas office location is preferred.  Remote working is negotiable depending on individual circumstances.  Position may require periodic trips to active construction sites, or Richmond, VA for team meetings or site visits to support engineering and development activities.

Requirements

• Candidate shall have a Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering or related degree with relevant work experience.
• Professional Engineer license preferred.
• 5+ Years of civil engineering experience is required; 2+ years in renewable energy projects is preferred.
• Must have the ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment.
• Must be self-motivated and be able to work both individually and/or in a collaborative team environment with minimal guidance.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be able to coordinate and communicate work with multiple disciplines, organizations, agencies, vendors, and contractors.
• Must be proficient in Google Earth, KMZ file, and Microsoft Office tools.
• Must have excellent AutoCAD Civil 3D skills.  Analyzing, manipulating, and producing Civil 3D surfaces is required.
• Must have strong organizational capacity to simultaneously manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and be able to quickly adapt to changes and shift priorities to meet project needs and deadlines.
• Must be proficient and be able to redline and communicate comments on deliverables received from external consultants.

Benefits

Urban Grid offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance and short-term disability, voluntary life, and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and a retirement plan with matching. Full-time position with a competitive compensation package, including bonus.