Alternative Energy Engineer in Training

Alternative Energy Engineer In Training

Cushing Terrell is hiring an Alternative Energy Engineer In Training to join our alternative energy team in Missoula, Montana. This is an on-site role, open to candidates entering as an Engineer In Training or as a Designer depending on background and licensure path, supporting the design of solar, battery storage, and microgrid systems for utility-scale and large commercial projects. The role involves occasional travel, typically three to five site visits per year, to support active projects.

What does this role involve day to day? Working under a senior engineer, you will help design PV systems, battery storage, and microgrids for grid-tied and standalone projects, ranging from commercial solar installations to utility-scale battery systems spanning acres of land. You will draft one line diagrams, perform load calculations, and use PVSyst and Homer Pro/Grid to size generation and storage systems.

You will also read architectural and civil plans to coordinate your work with other disciplines in the production of contract documents.

What does success look like year one? By the end of your first year, you will be comfortable with the drafting programs used on our projects and able to take a project's goals and floor plans, lay out the PV system, and develop the single line diagram while checking your work against code. You will get direct exposure to senior engineers on a small, high growth team that is projected to grow from four to five to eight people over the next year, working on some of the only behind the meter microgrid projects being done in the country.

The expected salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000 annually.

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related energy field, or two to three years of relevant alternative energy design experience in place of a degree
• Zero to three years of job related experience
• Basic knowledge of AC and DC electrical systems and design practices
• Competency with Microsoft Office Products, specifically Microsoft Excel
• Competent mathematical and analytical skills with strong written and verbal communication

• Willingness to sit for the FE exam within the first year, or a current EIT certification
• Experience with System Advisor Model (SAM), PVSyst, or Homer Grid/Pro
• Exposure to utility scale or commercial scale solar, or battery storage system projects
• Familiarity with NEC and IEEE codes and standards
• Working knowledge of Autodesk Revit MEP, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam.

Did you know that some people hold back on applying to jobs if they don't meet 100% of the listed requirements? We don't want you to hold back! If you check most of the qualifications above and believe you could successfully do the work, we encourage you to apply!

• Draft and revise electrical design drawings for solar, battery storage, and microgrid systems under the guidance of a licensed engineer, including setup, input, and redline corrections
• Perform load calculations and develop one line diagrams for electrical services, sizing systems by voltage, phase, amperage, and kVA
• Apply National Electrical Code requirements for grounding, conductor sizing, demand factors, and conduit fill as you build code competency under senior engineer supervision
• Calculate solar generation and system sizing using PVSyst and Homer Pro/Grid for both utility scale and building connected power generation projects
• Analyze utility electrical tariffs to calculate system payback timelines for clients
• Coordinate with architectural and civil teams by reading and interpreting their plans to produce accurate, consistent contract documents
• Take on ambiguous project scopes and fill in technical details independently as you grow into the role

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.