Director of Engineering

About DESRI

DESRI (formerly D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments) is a market-leading owner and operator of renewable energy projects throughout the United States. We have acquired or developed approximately 11 gigawatts of contracted capacity across a portfolio of over 70 renewable energy projects in 24 states.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Engineering to lead DESRI’s engineering function across our rapidly growing portfolio of renewable energy projects. This individual will serve as a senior technical leader responsible for overseeing the design, development, and performance of utility-scale solar, wind, and storage systems from concept through operations. This is an in-office position based out of our Denver, Colorado office.

This role requires both deep technical expertise and strong leadership capabilities. You will work cross-functionally with development, construction, asset management, and finance teams to ensure project integrity, compliance, cost-efficiency, and innovation in design. The ideal candidate brings a passion for renewable energy, a collaborative mindset, and a track record of delivering complex energy infrastructure.

What you'll do

• Lead DESRI’s engineering function across the full project lifecycle, from early-stage development through commercial operations.
• Oversee all engineering due diligence, technical reviews, and design validation for utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in engineering design, interconnection, performance modeling, and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (development, construction, operations, and finance) and external stakeholders (consultants, EPCs, OEMs) to drive technical alignment and delivery.
• Establish and maintain design standards, technical specifications, and QA/QC protocols to ensure quality and consistency across projects.
• Monitor project performance, analyze engineering data, and recommend optimizations to enhance efficiency, reliability, and value.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development for a growing team of engineers and technical analysts.
• Represent DESRI in industry forums, regulatory settings, and key vendor relationships to advance technical excellence and innovation.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, tools, and systems to support scalable project execution and portfolio growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience in the renewable energy or power generation sector, with increasing leadership responsibility.
• Deep expertise in utility-scale solar, wind, and/or battery energy storage system (BESS) design and operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering teams and cross-functional coordination on large infrastructure projects.
• Strong working knowledge of interconnection studies, electrical design, civil engineering, and system modeling (e.g., PVSyst, Helioscope, WindPRO).
• Familiarity with NERC, FERC, IEEE, NEC, and other applicable codes and standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical topics for a variety of audiences.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field required; advanced degree or PE license preferred.
• Passion for clean energy and alignment with DESRI’s mission and values.
• The expected annual base salary for this position is $200,000 - $250,000. Our compensation and benefits package includes variable compensation in the form of a year-end bonus, guaranteed in the first year of hire, and benefits including medical and prescription drug coverage, 401(k) contribution matching, paid time off, wellness reimbursement, family building benefits, and a charitable gift match program.