Director, Engineering – Design

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Lead and expand Highland's project engineering capabilities, encompassing drafting, design engineering, and utility interconnection, transitioning EV charging, BESS, and edge compute sites from qualified site status to permit-ready and construction-ready stages.

• Define the contents of design packages and establish internal approval checkpoints for conceptual, 30%, Issued-for-Permit (IFP), and Issued for Construction (IFC) phases.

• Oversee engineering function throughput and quality across the entire portfolio.

• Build, nurture, and retain a high-performing internal engineering team.

• Select, contract, scale, and manage external engineering design and interconnection consultants.

• Establish and uphold engineering, CAD, and design specifications and standards.

• Maintain repositories of utility and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements.

• Act as the senior technical authority on utility interconnection and AHJ permitting.

• Resolve intricate technical and jurisdictional challenges while representing Highland's engineering stance externally.

• Manage engineering contributions to project schedules and financial plans.

• Collaborate with Development, Execution, Origination, Procurement, and Fleet Operations teams.

• Propel tooling and process automation utilizing tools such as Procore and Bluebeam.

• Provide engineering leadership in technical due diligence, cost estimation, and risk assessment for new opportunities.

• Report directly to the Vice President of Development & Construction.

• Travel approximately 10–15% of the time.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering field, or 12+ years of directly relevant professional experience.

• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in EV charging, renewable energy, power/electrical infrastructure, or utility-scale development, including design management from concept to construction.

• 5+ years of experience in leading engineering teams, including managing managers and developing or scaling a design organization.

• Proven accountability for engineering standards, design package content, and QA/QC across multiple concurrent projects.

• Demonstrated experience in selecting, contracting, and managing external engineering consultants at scale.

• In-depth working knowledge of utility interconnection, new electrical service, and AHJ permitting requirements.

• Familiarity with interconnection standards and processes, such as IEEE 1547, utility tariffs, and interconnection policies.

• Proficient in CAD-based design delivery using AutoCAD and design/review tools including Procore and Bluebeam.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.

• Experience in delivering EV charging infrastructure, BESS, and/or edge compute/data-center power projects is preferred.

• Experience in developing repeatable, unit-cost-driven design programs in a high-growth setting is preferred.

• A Master's degree in engineering or an MBA is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive base salary with a performance-based bonus program.

• A supportive, highly collaborative, team-oriented work environment.

• Opportunity to collaborate with bright, innovative, and forward-thinking colleagues.

• Health, Vision, and Dental coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Generous Paid Time Off.

• 401(k) program with company match.