Senior PV & BESS Electrical Designer

Joining Arup  

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Arup is seeking a Senior PV & BESS Electrical Designer to support the delivery of utility‑scale solar and energy storage projects across the U.S.  This role can be based in any of our West offices (Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego) or our South offices (Austin, Dallas, Houston).

This role is focused on hands‑on technical design leadership, supporting electrical and renewable engineering teams by producing and coordinating high‑quality CAD deliverables, developing design standards, and ensuring constructability and code compliance from early design through construction. You will work closely with engineers, project managers, and external stakeholders to translate engineering intent into clear, build‑ready drawing packages.

What makes this role unique is the opportunity to apply deep CAD and electrical design expertise across a diverse portfolio of renewable projects while helping shape internal workflows, templates, and design standards within a global engineering consultancy.

The Opportunity  

• Lead the development of PV and BESS electrical CAD deliverables for utility‑scale and commercial renewable energy projects.
• Produce and review site plans, electrical layouts, single‑line diagrams, grounding plans, conduit schedules, and equipment layouts.
• Ensure design packages meet NEC requirements, interconnection standards, and applicable local codes.
• Support engineering teams by translating calculations and design intent into clear, accurate, and constructable drawings.
• Coordinate across disciplines (civil, structural, electrical, controls) to ensure integrated and clash‑free designs.
• Develop, maintain, and improve CAD templates, libraries, and drafting standards to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Provide design support during permitting, construction, and commissioning, including responding to RFIs and field clarifications.
• Mentor junior designers and support knowledge sharing within project teams.

The Skills

• Associate degree in technology or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience delivering CAD‑based electrical designs for solar PV, BESS, or power infrastructure projects.
• Extensive experience producing utility‑scale PV and BESS electrical drawing packages (layouts, SLDs, grounding, SCADA).
• Strong working knowledge of NEC, electrical codes, and renewable energy permitting requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and electrical drafting for renewable energy systems.
• Experience collaborating with engineers, EPCs, and construction teams to resolve design and constructability issues.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal. If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.  

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.  

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available

San Francisco Hiring Range – The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in San Francisco is $140,850 to $168,000 per year.  This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of San Francisco will differ.  

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.  

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.  

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

Stay safe online. Recruitment fraud is on the rise, and Arup’s name, logo, and branding have been used in fraudulent job advertisements. Arup will never ask for bank information as part of our recruitment process.  

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