Director of Operations Engineering

Job Description

GridStor is looking for a Director, Operations Engineering to serve as the technical lead for our fleet of operating utility-scale BESS assets. This role is responsible for managing all engineering items for projects once they reach Commercial Operation (COD), ensuring high availability, safety, and market-optimized performance. This position will report to the SVP - EPC and will be based in Portland, OR, with a hybrid work schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Fleet Technical Management: Manage all engineering aspects of operational projects, providing high-level technical oversight for BESS assets, high-voltage substations, and SCADA/EMS platforms.
• Engineering Troubleshooting: Lead root-cause analysis (RCA) for major equipment failures or chronic performance issues.
• Lifecycle Planning: Develop long-term asset lifecycle plans, including augmentation strategies and major maintenance scheduling in collaboration with Field Services, Performance Engineering and Asset Management.
• Continuous Improvement Loop: Provide a formal feedback loop from operational data back to the Design, Engineering, and Procurement departments to improve future equipment selection and system designs.
• Vendor & OEM Management: Manage technical relationships with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and O&M partners, overseeing warranty claims and long-term service agreements.
• Standardization: Build and standardize BESS-specific operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance standards, and commissioning acceptance criteria. Support OPEX cost estimation with preconstruction team.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Relevant professional certifications (e.g. PE, PMP, or NERC System Operator) are preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years in power operations with at least 5 years in utility-scale.
• Proficiency in EMS/PPC controls, inverter operations, battery system operations, and high voltage systems.
• Knowledge in market operations and utility interconnection requirements.
• Location & Availability: Preference to be based in Portland and available to work a hybrid schedule, but will consider remote candidates.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational abilities with keen attention to detail. Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and seeing delegated projects through to completion.
• Adaptability: Ability to be agile and flexible, readily taking on tasks outside the typical scope of the role as needed.
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to handle highly confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Integrity & Judgment: Strong track record of excellent judgment and integrity in previous roles.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-Solving: Adaptable, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and approach challenges with a creative, proactive mindset.
• Team Orientation: Highly motivated to support and collaborate with team members, contributing to collective success.
• Travel: Ability to travel to project sites as needed (up to 25%).

Compensation and Benefits

• GridStor offers an attractive Total Rewards package, including:
  • Competitive base salaries commensurate with experience with an annual cash bonus (based on Company and individual performance).
  • Generous paid leave.
  • Employee participation in Long Term Incentive Plan.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, including coverage for domestic partners and eligible domestic partner children.
  • HSA/FSA for participating employees.
  • 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting.
  • Continuing education and professional development.
  • Cellphone reimbursement, hybrid work environment, healthy snacks, volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more.

Company Operating Principles

GridStor's Operating Principles represent who we are, how we work, and what we believe.

We Collaborate. We believe trust is given, not earned. We honor each other's zone of genius and seek to challenge ideas, not each other. We listen to each other's points of view and work hard to find the better solution. We are one team.

We Are Humble. We like hard work, but don't make work hard. We know we have a lot to learn and never grandstand or take up all the space in the room. We are kind. We are welcoming. We are inspired by our mission to decarbonize the grid.

We Create the Future. We are curious. We go deep, search for the best idea, and then move fast. We always focus on the few things that matter most. We know there will be setbacks, so we show up every day ready to learn and be better, together.

We Show Up for Each Other. We keep each other fully informed. We seek to understand. We coach, we don't blame. We share our points of view and seek to make each other better every day. We believe everyone creates culture in every moment, every day.

We Do Hard Things. We view challenges as opportunities. We are resilient. We are all owners, and we act like it. We understand change requires taking risks and we push ourselves and our partners. We do what is right as opposed to what might be best for any one of us.