Manager, Performance Engineering

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

Job Summary:

The Utility-Scale Solar and Wind Engineering Manager leads the performance engineering function across the project development and execution lifecycle for large-scale solar PV and wind projects. This role is responsible for overseeing energy modeling, design optimization, pre-construction Wind Energy Resource Assessments (WERAs), overseeing MET tower deployment and technical strategy to ensure projects are developed, engineered, and executed with maximum performance and financial return. Working cross-functionally with development, engineering, construction, and asset management teams, the manager ensures technical rigor and consistency across the portfolio while supporting project-level decision-making.

Responsibilities:

- Lead and mentor a team of performance engineers responsible for modeling, design review, and technical optimization across the solar and wind project pipeline.

- Oversee the creation and validation of solar energy yield assessments (e.g., PVSyst, PlantPredict, PVFARM) throughout the project lifecycle—from early-stage development through project completion.

- Oversee wind Energy Yield Assessments (EYAs) needed to support LRE’s Development and Execution projects

- Define and implement portfolio-wide standards for energy performance modeling, system loss assumptions, and design optimization practices to reduce LCOE and improve bankability.

- Provide technical inputs and performance documentation for financing, M&A, and third-party due diligence processes.

- Provide feedback on wind Energy Yield Assessments (EYAs) created by third-party stakeholders such as Independent Engineers, third-party consultants, and EPCs

- Ability to understand wind energy modelling inputs to refine assumptions and optimize generation.

- Ability to analyze wind resource data to select the most representative for the project site.

- Oversee ground campaign collection and wind resource tuning processes.

- Coordinate handoff of performance assumptions and data to asset management, and incorporate lessons learned from operating assets into future project optimization.

- Drive the development of internal tools, templates, and process documentation to scale and standardize performance engineering efforts across the organization.

Qualifications:

- Proven leadership and people management experience in a technical/engineering role

- Deep expertise in PV or Wind system performance modeling and optimization

- Familiarity with wind generation and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling software such as windPRO, openWind, and WAsP

- Demonstrated ability to perform wind turbine power curve analysis

- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills

- Ability to interpret complex data sets and translate into actionable engineering insights

- Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management

- Clear understanding of project development, construction, and operational phases of utility-scale solar

- Self-directed with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities

Technical Skills:

- Advanced proficiency with PVSyst, PlantPredict, PVLib

- Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for custom modeling or data processing

- Strong understanding of utility-scale PV system architecture, including MV/HV design, string sizing, tracker configurations, and shading mitigation

- Familiarity with inverter/load ratio strategies, bifacial gain considerations, and soiling/loss estimation

- Knowledge of NEC, IEEE, UL, and IEC standards related to solar design and performance

- Proficiency with project management and data tools (e.g., Salesforce, Smartsheet, Power BI, Excel – advanced functions)

- 4-Year Bachelors Engineering Degree

- Minimum 10 years of technical work experience in an engineering discipline

- Minimum 6 years of relevant technical experience in solar or wind resource/energy prediction.

- Professional Engineer license or Advanced Engineering degree

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies:

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE’s HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.