Project Engineer

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Job Description

Are you an experienced Project Engineer looking to play a key role in the delivery of large-scale renewable energy projects?

We're looking for a Project Engineer to join our technically focused team. This position has arisen due to the rapid expansion of Elgin Energy's project portfolio. The successful candidate will provide engineering support across the full project lifecycle, from early-stage development through to construction and energisation.

As a Project Engineer, you will be embedded within the project team from an early stage, providing engineering support across the development, planning, and construction phases. You will conduct feasibility and constructability reviews, provide technical input into planning applications and associated documentation, and support the transition of projects from consent through to construction.

Upon successful progression of a project, you will take on the project engineering role, managing technical interfaces with external contractors, independent engineers, and technical advisors to reduce project risk. You will manage the detailed design review process, liaising with the Owner's Engineer, EPC contractors, and Project Manager.

The successful candidate will primarily work on utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects across the UK, Ireland, and other Elgin Energy markets.

What you will do

• Engage with project development teams at an early stage to provide engineering input into feasibility assessments, site selection, and project structuring.
• Conduct constructability reviews of proposed project designs, identifying buildability issues, construction risks, and value engineering opportunities at the development stage. Escalating to Engineering specialist for input as required.
• Provide technical review and commentary on planning application documents, including layout drawings, technical reports, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and technical appendices, to ensure engineering accuracy and compliance.
• Support the preparation and technical review of grid connection applications and associated engineering documentation during the development phase.
• Liaise with planning consultants, environmental specialists, and other development advisors to provide engineering input and resolve technical queries during the planning process.
• Coordinate and maintain concept design drawings and constraint maps for each site throughout the development phases, integrating planning constraints, environmental constraints, grid design, and PV layout to provide a coherent and up-to-date picture of site feasibility and design status at every stage of development.
• Identify, assess, and maintain a register of technical risks for each project during the development phase, providing regular input to project risk reviews and flagging issues that could affect programme, cost, or design deliverability.
• Ensure that the project technical solution fulfils EPC and EBOP/ICP contract requirements, and that technical sign-off of project changes is managed in a controlled and timely manner.
• Management of specialist PV, civil, structural, and other technical consultants and advisors, including determination of scopes of work and interpretation of advice received.
• Assist in the preparation of tender documentation for front-end engineering (e.g. geotechnical investigations, structural studies, energy yield assessments, preliminary layout), ensuring outputs are delivered on time and to the highest standard.
• Assist in contractual negotiations with EPCs regarding technical areas such as engineering specifications, equipment requirements, and performance and testing schedules.
• Technical engagement with external consultants, contractors, independent engineers, lenders engineers, Government agencies, utility and grid companies as required.
• Provide input into technical elements of Employer's Requirements for EPC and Consultant contracts, ensuring alignment with project-specific technical and commercial objectives.
• Keep all engineering project information and tasks up to date in Elgin Energy's internal reporting systems and project trackers.
• Produce technical reports and briefings for project management and senior leadership as required.
• Inspect project sites, attend design meetings, and represent Elgin's engineering interests in external forums and stakeholder meetings as required.

Your profile

What you will need

• A minimum bachelor's degree qualification in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering.
• Ideally 3 years' experience in large scale PV solar farm and BESS projects.
• Experience in AutoCAD and PVSyst
• Knowledge of PV development and construction
• Knowledge and understanding of PV technology, grid connections, solar energy yield assessments, shading, ground conditions interpretation and foundation, MV/HV grid connection procedures, PV plant installation procedures.
• Experience of solar project procurement, construction and commissioning.
• Experience and knowledge of relevant Irish & UK design codes, regulations and policy.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation in Ireland and UK.
• Proficiency in translating engineering issues into CAPEX and OPEX assumptions.
• High analytical skills with attention to detail and ability to make decisions in a fast-paced emerging market.
• Team-oriented with a positive attitude, determination, and flexibility, able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.