Senior / Principal BESS Engineer - Renewables in Glasgow

Location/s: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton; UK

About the business unit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview of the role

Mott MacDonald is a globally recognized engineering and consultancy firm, seeking a highly skilled Battery Energy Storage Systems Engineer to join our growing Energy team. To support and drive the successful integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) into wind and solar power projects internationally.

As a BESS Engineer, you will lead the design, development, implementation, and operation of BESS in renewable energy projects. You'll serve as the Owner's Engineer, providing technical expertise and ensuring seamless integration of BESS into project execution. This is a permanent role and will offer excellent prospects for career development including involvement in different power generation technologies, mainly renewable energy projects.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Provide comprehensive engineering support throughout the lifecycle of BESS energy projects, ensuring adherence to technical specifications, contract management, and stakeholder coordination.
• Conduct thorough feasibility studies, including technical and economic viability assessments, site evaluations, and identification of potential risks and mitigation measures.
• Offer expert guidance and recommendations on energy storage systems, renewable energy integration, and project development strategies to clients, energy majors, utilities, and governments.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in BESS technologies, industry trends, and regulatory requirements and share technical knowledge and insights within the organization to foster continuous learning and improvement.
• Assess project specifications, energy storage needs, and grid requirements to propose optimal BESS configurations.
• Assess the technical capabilities and reliability of potential BESS suppliers, ensuring adherence to project specifications and quality standards.
• Collaborate with procurement teams to define technical specifications, evaluate bids, and select the most suitable equipment and technologies.
• Evaluate electrical system design, protection schemes, and interconnection requirements for BESS integration, including grid stabilisation and backup power.
• Perform simulations and modelling to predict system performance and optimise design.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement data acquisition systems to monitor BESS performance, including energy storage efficiency, response times, and system availability.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, assess the health of the BESS system, and recommend maintenance or operational improvements.
• Develop project schedules, budgets, and resource plans for successful BESS implementation.
• Collaborate with project teams to manage risks, resolve technical issues, and ensure compliance with project milestones.
• Perform on-site inspections to ensure the quality and integrity of BESS components, installations, and interconnections.
• Develop and implement quality control plans, inspection checklists, and acceptance criteria for BESS systems.
• Collaborate with commissioning teams to define test protocols and procedures for BESS equipment and ensure thorough verification of system performance and functionality during the commissioning and testing phase.

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably in electrical/electronic engineering, renewable energy, or energy storage systems. A master's degree or relevant certifications would be advantageous.
• Prior experience in technical due diligence, owner's engineering, advisory services, and feasibility studies for renewable energy projects and/or energy storage systems.
• Strong knowledge of BESS technologies, grid integration, and power system modelling.
• Project management skills, including risk management and coordination with diverse teams.
• Familiarity with local and international regulations, industry standards, and codes related to energy storage, renewable energy, and grid integration, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.
• Excellent written and oral interpersonal skills (English) to communicate with technical and non-technical colleagues and clients. Other languages are an asset.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.