We are redirecting you to the source. If you are not redirected in 3 seconds, please click here.

Director, Optimization Engineering at 1st Avenue Power. . Location: Los Angeles, CA. About 1st Avenue Power:. .  At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast-to-deploy, customer-centric and intelligent power systems leveraging the abundance of solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy starved communities around the world. We envision a future where every community, business, and nation thrives on the limitless potential of clean energy, united in a shared commitment to a sustainable and equitable world.. . You will be working with Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, a clean energy technology innovator and entrepreneur who has been a driving force in making solar-based energy solutions the cheapest and most reliable energy option. Tom founded and led Avantus (formerly known as “8minute Solar Energy“), to become one of the largest and most profitable solar and energy storage companies in the United States and the largest in California, including delivering over 17% of Los Angeles’ power.  When Tom sold his interest in Avantus’ development business to KKR in mid-2024, it had delivered over $1 billion in profit and secured over $10 Billion in power purchase agreements and project financings with a pipeline of over 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of energy storage, capable of powering the homes of more than 20 million Americans day and night. Tom’s family office investment firm, 1st Avenue Capital, is building teams for the next generation of advanced solar power system architecture and AI to aggressively drive down the cost of and equitable access to clean and reliable energy.[1] 1st Avenue’s advanced large scale power systems are addressing the increasing inadequacy of the grid to meet the massively growing power demands of the digital economy, while its intelligent distributed solar utilities are leapfrogging the grid to provide equitable access to inexpensive, clean and reliable power to underserved communities around the world.. . About the Role:. . Join a groundbreaking team of proven leaders at the forefront of the clean energy transition. We are building a future where sustainable energy is accessible to all. The Director, Optimization Engineering will serve as the company’s leading expert on technical and financial modeling of solar PV and battery energy storage projects. In this role, you will be a critical contributor to project evaluation, design optimization, and operational strategy. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in solar energy systems, battery storage, and project financial modeling, as well as a self-starting, hands-on approach suitable for a fast-growth environment.. . What Makes This Job Unique:. . . Leadership Impact:. As Director, Optimization Engineering you will have significant influence on key strategic decisions and play a vital role in shaping the future of 1st Avenue Power' energy strategy.. . Growth Potential:. 1st Avenue Power and the project pipeline is in high growth mode, offering excellent opportunities for career growth and professional development.. . Co-Founder Mindset:. This is an opportunity for a passionate and driven individual to join a groundbreaking team and contribute significantly to our mission. We encourage candidates who bring a co-founder mindset, with a focus on ownership, innovation, and a deep commitment to building a sustainable and equitable energy future.. . . Job Responsibilities:. . Techno-Economic Modeling and Financial Analysis. . . Develop and maintain detailed techno-economic models for solar PV and battery energy storage projects, selecting and using a suitable combination of tools (third-party software, Excel, Python, etc., as appropriate).. . Conduct technical analysis and energy production modeling for solar PV and BESS systems using tools such as PVsyst, Helioscope, or SAM.. . Model powerplant controls and operations using tools such as Fractal Model, HOMER, or equivalent; and/or custom tools developed by you.. . Incorporate project financing structures, including tax equity, loans, and equity, into financial models.. . Integrate the effects of government incentives, such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and other federal, state, and local programs, into project proformas.. . Collaborate with development, finance, and engineering teams to evaluate project financial viability and recommend strategies to maximize returns.. . . Operational Performance Monitoring & Analysis. . . Recommend and establish frameworks for monitoring and analyzing the performance of operational solar and storage assets.. . Conduct root cause analyses for underperformance and develop actionable strategies for improvement.. . Generate detailed performance reports for internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and actionable insights.. . . Energy Market and Grid Integration Analysis. . . Analyze energy market conditions and regulatory frameworks to identify opportunities for energy arbitrage and ancillary services.. . Model grid integration strategies to ensure compatibility with utility interconnection requirements and grid operator policies.. . Collaborate with software controls team to integrate energy market insights into the company's powerplant operating software.. . . Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support. . . Work closely with project, product, engineering and finance teams to provide technical and economic insights throughout the project lifecycle.. . Act as a subject-matter expert in discussions with investors, partners, and regulatory bodies as needed.. . . Minimum Qualifications:. . . Technical background in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Finance, or a related field. The successful candidate will likely have at least a Master’s degree or equivalent experience.. . 3+ years of experience in solar powerplant analysis, energy modeling, or related fields.. . Strong understanding of utility-scale solar PV and BESS system design, performance drivers, and operational challenges.. . Expertise in solar energy production and solar powerplant modeling tools (e.g., PVsyst, SAM, Helioscope, Fractal Model, HOMER).. . Proficiency in financial modeling, including the evaluation of tax equity, ITC impacts, and project financing structures.. . Advanced skills in Excel.. . . Preferred Qualifications:. . . Familiarity with coding in Python.. . Experience with energy storage use cases and market participation strategies (e.g., demand response, frequency regulation).. . Familiarity with project financing processes, including lender requirements and tax equity structuring.. . General knowledge of SCADA systems and monitoring platforms for renewable energy systems.. . Goal-oriented, self-motivated, proactive and adaptable to the fast-paced nature of a high-growth business and hybrid work environment.. . Strong analytical and multidisciplinary problem-solving skills with attention to detail.. . Excellent communication skills, ability to synthesize analytic results for corporate leaders and convert high-level direction into an analytic action plan.. . . Compensation & Benefits:. . .  Competitive Compensation. . Health Insurance: We offer 100% coverage of employee premiums under a Gold-level PPO plan. Dental & Vision Insurance: 50% of employee premiums are covered.. . Retirement Plan: A 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match.. . . 1AI Energy, the employing entity for 1st Avenue Power, and 1st Avenue Power are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race (inclusive of traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), age, veteran or military status, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, reproductive decision-making, or any other legally recognized protected class under federal, state, or local law.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on 1AI Energy or 1st Avenue Power. Please inform the company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing an application or to otherwise participate in the application process. . .  . .  . . Join our team and make a real difference in the world.. . . [. 1. : Additionally, 1st Avenue is in the business of acquiring projects where there has been a final notice-to-proceed or financial close.]. .  . . #LI-REMOTE. California Pay Range. $175,000. - . $200,000. . USD