Principal Engineer

Salary Range: $180,000 - $200,000 plus bonus and incentive stock options

Reports to: Director, Engineering

Location: Brooklyn, NY (Hybrid)

About The Company:

NineDot's name derives from the classic mathematical puzzle for sparking out-of-the-box solutions. As a leading community-scale, clean energy developer with a growing portfolio of projects across a range of technologies, NineDot Energy is creating innovative energy solutions that support a more resilient electric grid, deliver economic savings, address environmental justice and reduce carbon emissions. We plan to develop, build and operate more than 400 MW of clean energy systems by 2026 that will strengthen the local power grid infrastructure and provide clean, reliable and resilient power to tens of thousands of New York households and businesses. This is all in support of New York State’s mission to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

With the backing of Manulife Investment Management and The Carlyle Group - two of the world’s leading infrastructure investors - NineDot is continuing to expand its core battery energy storage pipeline, deliver enhanced products and services, explore new regions and consider potential acquisitions all to advance the decarbonization of New York’s grid. This is an exciting opportunity to build a platform from the ground-up with a world-class team of developers and innovators. NineDot is committed to building a company that exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion values in its team culture, as well as business practices and community engagement.

Job Summary

The Principal Engineer is NineDot Energy’s senior technical authority, responsible for engineering strategy, multidisciplinary integration, and technical execution of BESS and Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects.

This role combines deep expertise in electrical and SCADA systems with broad oversight of civil, structural, mechanical, and controls disciplines to ensure all designs meet NineDot’s standards for safety, reliability, and constructability.

In addition to serving as the company’s top engineering expert, the Principal Engineer will lead select high-impact projects from design through commissioning, mentor Project Engineers, and advise the Engineering & Construction team on technical risk, design strategy, and process improvements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of NineDot’s engineering strategy for BESS and DER projects, including scope definition, risk assessment, and technical requirements.
• Serve as the company’s senior technical authority throughout design, permitting, construction, and commissioning phases, providing hands‑on technical support when necessary, serving as Engineer of Record where applicable
• Promote best practices and a culture of technical excellence by establishing and enforcing engineering standards to ensure design consistency, regulatory compliance, and safety.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement in engineering practices, tools, and project delivery methods.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design execution across internal and external teams, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule objectives are met.
• Interface with Construction, Project Controls, and external stakeholders to resolve technical challenges during project delivery.
• Review and approve design changes, submittals, and commissioning documentation.
• Lead the design and review of electrical systems, including one‑line diagrams, grounding, interconnection, and protection coordination.
• Oversee SCADA and control system integration, including communications protocols, network architecture, and control logic.
• Ensure compliance with Con Edison, NYISO, DOB, and FDNY technical requirements.
• Define and validate system testing and commissioning procedures (FAT/SAT) for electrical and control systems.
• Provide final technical approval across electrical, civil, structural, mechanical, and fire protection disciplines.
• Lead integrated design reviews to ensure coordination, constructability, and technical integrity.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA, IEEE, UL, ASCE, and NYC Building and Fire Codes.
• Support construction and commissioning teams to maintain design intent and technical quality.
• Evaluate and select external engineers, vendors, and contractors in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with utilities, regulators, and industry partners, representing NineDot in technical forums and discussions.
• Oversee third‑party engineering performance and deliverables to ensure alignment with quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Mentor Project Engineers and junior technical staff, fostering professional and technical growth.
• Provide coaching and training on design standards, field engineering, and problem‑solving.
• Lead resolution of RFIs, change requests, and nonconformances through cross‑functional coordination.
• Conduct post‑project reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future design standards and processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Drives Results - Constantly achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
• Nimble Learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both success and failures as learning fodder
• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Tech Savvy - Anticipating and adopting innovations in business‑building digital and technology applications.

Required education and experience:

• 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in senior or lead roles within renewable energy, energy storage, or related industries.
• Deep technical knowledge of battery storage systems, electrical distribution systems, renewable energy technologies, and SCADA/control systems.
• Demonstrated expertise with utility interconnection, permitting, and construction processes in the New York market preferred.
• Proven track record of mentoring engineering teams and managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects.
• Exceptional problem‑solving, decision‑making, and leadership skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels and with external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with relevant codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks governing energy infrastructure projects.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

At NineDot Energy, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation and are the foundation of our success. As such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, gender identity, age, or any other status of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives that is protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you’re passionate about this role but don’t meet every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other opportunities with us. We’re committed to building a team that reflects a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, and skills.

NineDot Employee benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• 5% employer match on your 401k retirement account
• 20 paid vacation days off, plus 7 sick days, 9 federal holidays and 3 personal floating holidays
• 12 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for both the primary and secondary caregiver within the first year of birth or adoption
• Wellness initiatives including a $1,000 stipend