Leads technical civil engineering work for utility-scale solar and BESS projects from RFP through IFC plan sets. Coordinates with internal teams and external Engineers of Record to ensure constructible, safe, and budget-compliant designs.
Signal Energy’s SR Civil Engineer leads all technical work and assists in engineering management for assigned projects from RFP receipt through Issued for Construction (“IFC”) plan sets. The SR Civil Engineer is responsible for understanding design criteria and coordinating internal and external Engineers of Record (“EOR”), with an understanding of impacts to other disciplines to ensure development of complete, cohesive design documentation that clearly communicates how each project should be built. This role is responsible for driving Signal Energy’s Basis of Design through Issued-For-Construction (IFC) plan sets to ensure civil designs meet or exceed scope, schedule, budget, constructability, and safety expectations.
The Civil Engineer supports both Engineer-of-Record (EOR) led, and in-house civil design projects, contributing to the development, coordination, and delivery of complete and constructible civil design packages.
The role integrates site-specific conditions, geotechnical information, and interdisciplinary inputs to deliver coordinated civil designs that support efficient construction and successful project execution for utility-scale solar and BESS facilities.
Reports to: Director of Engineering/Principal Civil Engineer
Manages: N/A
Works closely with: Clients, EORs, Suppliers, Business Development, Estimating, Project Mangers, Field Operations, and Procurement
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Lead the development and delivery of civil design packages from early design through Issued-For-Construction (IFC), ensuring alignment with the project Scope of Work, Basis of Design, schedule, budget, constructability, and safety requirements.
- Serve as the civil technical lead on assigned solar and BESS projects, providing direction, oversight, and technical decision-making for grading, drainage, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, access roads, foundations coordination, and equipment pads.
- Review and interpret geotechnical reports to identify site-specific risks, design constraints, and mitigation strategies, and integrate geotechnical findings into civil design solutions.
- Support both Engineer-of-Record (EOR) led, and in-house civil design efforts, ensuring complete, coordinated, and constructible civil deliverables.
- Drive interdisciplinary coordination with survey, geotechnical, environmental, structural, electrical, high-voltage, BESS, and construction teams to resolve design conflicts and ensure execution-ready designs.
- Lead and perform QA/QC reviews of civil drawings, calculations, and specifications prior to submission and IFC issuance.
- Support permitting and AHJ approvals, including review of submittals, responses to agency comments, and coordination with environmental and regulatory teams.
- Identify, communicate, and mitigate civil-related cost, schedule, and constructability risks, and lead value engineering efforts to optimize project outcomes.
- Serve as a key civil engineering resource during the construction phase, supporting RFIs, design clarifications, field coordination, and change management as needed.
- Mentor and support entry-level and associate civil engineers, providing technical guidance, design review, and professional development support.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of civil design standards, templates, workflows, and best practices within the organization.
Attributes and Competencies
- Must be comfortable with the technical aspects of the role, as well as client and management interactions
- Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills, including ability to write clear and detailed technical reports, RFI responses, presentations, and emails
- Must be a supportive team member, able to work in a collaborative environment as well as work on self-directed independent projects
- Must be self-motivated with the ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines
- Must be proficient in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, HydroCAD, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Preferable to also have experience with ArcGIS Pro, HECRAS, Flow2D, PVcase, PVsyst, and Procore
- Driven by desire to continuously improve process, tools and technology
- Operate with positivity and enthusiasm, especially in high-stress situations
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil Engineering preferred) from an accredited university
- 8+ years’ experience in planning, design, and/or operations of photovoltaic systems
- Professional Engineer license (one or more US states)
Work Environment
- Work will be conducted remote or from the Chattanooga, TN office or Houston office.
- Civil Engineers reports directly to the Director of Engineering/ Principal Civil Engineer
- The role will require occasional travel for both office meetings and field visits to active construction sites, up to 10%.
Signal Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify.