Principal Battery Energy Storage System Engineer - Power Generation (Houston, TX, US, 77032)

Responsibilities Lead the development of technical requirements and performance specifications for utility-scale and behind-the-meter BESS installations, including capacity, duration, dynamic response, reliability, grid-forming/grid-following operation, and black-start capability. Evaluate BESS technologies, system architectures, suppliers, and integrators; develop technical bid evaluations and support vendor selection and commercial negotiations. Define electrical integration requirements between BESS, generation assets, medium-voltage distribution systems, switchgear, transformers, microgrids, and data center loads. Establish protection, controls, communications, and energy-management requirements, including voltage and frequency regulation, load sharing, state-of-charge management, and emergency operating modes. Develop system-level operating philosophies and Theory of Operation documentation for normal, islanded, generator-support, load-transient, black-start, emergency, and maintenance conditions. Lead technical safety and reliability assessments, including thermal-runaway mitigation, fire protection, HAZOP, FMEA, risk assessments, and applicable code and standards compliance. Develop lifecycle and total-cost-of-ownership evaluations considering degradation, auxiliary power, augmentation strategies, warranties, operating costs, and end-of-life requirements. Develop repeatable engineering, site-layout, installation, and construction standards for BESS deployments. Lead or support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning, energization, troubleshooting, performance validation, and turnover to operations. Collaborate across engineering, procurement, construction, operations, safety, and commercial teams to ensure BESS solutions meet technical, contractual, and business requirements. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Minimum 7 years of experience in power systems, energy storage, renewable integration, utility infrastructure, or data center power projects, including direct experience with utility-scale or industrial BESS. Experience integrating BESS with generation assets, medium-voltage distribution systems, microgrids, or other complex electrical systems. Strong knowledge of battery technologies, power conversion systems, protection and controls, power-system modeling, energy management, and grid-forming/grid-following inverter technologies. Experience reviewing EPC and vendor engineering packages, technical specifications, equipment designs, and system integration requirements. Strong systems-engineering judgment, analytical problem-solving, technical communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Preferred Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Systems, or a related discipline. Experience supporting AI or hyperscale data center power infrastructure, behind-the-meter generation, or high-availability power systems. Experience with gas-engine integration, microgrids, islanded power systems, or black-start applications. Familiarity with IEC 61850, Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, digital substations, or related power-system com