Principal Software Development Engineer

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus is shaping the future by making reliable, low-cost clean energy a global reality. Our legacy of leadership in next generation solar energy includes developing one of the nation’s largest solar clusters and one of the first projects to beat fossil fuel prices back in 2016. Today, we are expanding the boundaries of existing technologies to build one of the largest portfolios of smart power plants with integrated storage, capable of providing millions of people with affordable, zero-emission energy – day and night. Through our relentless pursuit of better, we are decarbonizing our planet at the gigaton level, and bringing the advantages of clean energy to all of us.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for the Principal Software Engineer position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Engineer software related to the design of solar + storage power plants
• Collaborate in a team that:

• Designs front-end and back-end of python-based software simulation platform
• Researches energy market rules and possible revenue streams for generators and energy storage in mostly U.S. energy markets
• Thinks creatively to design controls for solar + storage plants that revolutionize the integration of renewable energy on our electric grid
• Implements data analytics tools of search optimization and machine learning to improve solar + storage plant cost, performance and revenue
• Partners with the world’s leading battery manufacturers to test and model the battery performance for grid applications
• Scours the earth for the next generation of low-cost, high performance energy storage for use in grid connected applications
• Models project economics and proforma
• Models' physical performance of solar PV, batteries, inverters and other plant physical assets
• Constantly re-evaluates lessons learned, works rapidly to solve problems and innovates faster than brown or green competitive forces

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field
• 10+ years of experience
• 3+ years of Python experience
• Motivated and able to work remotely with minimal supervision
• Strong oral and written communicator

NICE TO HAVES

• Some data science experience, specifically around modeling linear optimization problems
• Other programming language experience: C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust, C/C++, etc.
• Familiar with Git or similar software versioning system
• AWS experience
• Experience using SQL or other database technologies
• Microsoft Excel experience
• Familiarity with Pandas, numpy, and other data science Python libraries
• Full stack web development experience is a plus
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies
• Eager to bring existing background and learn diverse skills to co-optimize physical and economic factors
• Comfortable working with a geographically distributed team that collaborates in-person and virtually

• Strong background and/or demonstrated interest in

• Battery energy storage and renewable energy
• Electricity Markets
• Software simulation of physical systems
• Data analytics and search optimization

• Further desired background

• Solar PV generation modeling (PVsyst and/or SAM)
• Utility scale solar power plant design
• Machine learning
• Economics and financial modeling
• Electric power transmission (AC systems)

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