Director Performance Engineering Jobs in Illinois

Do you want to be a part of the clean energy movement? Are you passionate about improving our environment for this generation and those to follow? Are you ready to take on new challenges and collaborate with a future-focused team leading the way into new markets? Join Nexamp! 

This is where you can learn from industry leaders and become one yourself. It's fast-paced, mission-based work that challenges the status quo. Be on the team that's changing the world. 

What we're looking for: 

Nexamp is seeking an Electrical Performance Engineer who will be a deep technical independent contributor responsible for improving the reliability, availability, and performance of Nexamp's operating portfolio of distributed and utility-scale solar PV and BESS assets, currently exceeding 2 GW under management and in construction. In this role, you will apply advanced electrical engineering analysis to operating systems in the field, performing root-cause failure analysis, diagnosing complex and recurring issues across inverters, transformers, protection systems, controls, and balance-of-plant equipment. You'll identify systemic risks, validate corrective actions, and drive data-backed recommendations to reduce downtime, prevent repeat failures, and extend asset life. You'll also be responsible for optimizing control schemes and operating strategies, translating observed field behavior and performance data into improved settings, logic, and operational standards. Working closely with Operations, Asset Management, Controls, and OEMs, you will bridge the gap between design intent and real-world performance to ensure the fleet operates safely and reliably, while maximizing value throughout the project lifecycle. 

This is a hybrid role out of our Lawrence, MA, Boston, MA, New York, NY, or Chicago, IL office, and will report to the Director, Performance Engineering.

What you'll do:  

• Own plant protection, controls, and compliance strategy by reviewing and coordinating protection settings across OCPDs, relays, inverters, and plant controllers; managing required setting changes with third-party vendors; and securing utility approvals to ensure safe, reliable operation.
• Engage directly with utilities on complex grid-interaction issues related to protection schemes, relay settings, and plant control behavior; diagnose misalignment between plant and utility protection philosophies; and negotiate technically sound solutions that optimize availability and interconnection compliance.
• Improve system reliability and energy performance by evaluating and optimizing protection schemes, breaker coordination, relay timing, circuit configurations, and inverter control functions (Volt/VAR, Volt/Watt, frequency-watt, ramp rates, ride-through).
• Partner with Engineering to improve design standards and fleet consistency, including relay database templates, equipment specifications, standard drawings, and protection philosophies, with a focus on maintainability, operability, and lifecycle cost.
• Lead data-driven reliability and loss reduction efforts by analyzing inverter logs, relay events, EMS dispatch data, and waveform captures; conducting root-cause and 8D investigations; quantifying production and financial impacts; and recommending corrective actions, upgrades, or repowering strategies.
• Own fleetwide monitoring and diagnostics strategy by refining alert thresholds, logic, and escalation workflows to reduce false positives, minimize alert fatigue, and accelerate incident response.
• Develop analytical models, diagnostic frameworks, and performance standards for Nexamp's PV and BESS fleet, integrating power systems engineering with data analytics to identify constraints and improvement opportunities.
• Influence organizational capability and decision-making by representing Performance Engineering in cross-functional initiatives, providing actionable feedback to development and engineering teams on design and procurement decisions, and mentoring junior analysts through training and documented best practices. 

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years of electrical engineering experience.
• 2+ years of experience in solar and protection relays (breakers, reclosers, power logic controllers, etc).
• Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Commitment to Nexamp's mission and have a passion for solving tomorrow's climate crisis today.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively communicating information, ideas, and perspectives with people inside and beyond your organization.   
• Experience in showcasing initiative to make improvements to current work, processes, products, and services across the organization. We value accountability and an ownership mentality. 
• Ability to ask appropriate questions, analyze data, identify the root causes of problems, and present creative solutions. 
• Expertise in building strong internal and external relationships with customers and stakeholders, instilling trust and loyalty across the industry. 
• Eagerness to develop a fundamental understanding of how Nexamp operates and then apply that knowledge effectively to inform business decisions.  

If you don't meet 100% of the above qualifications, but see yourself contributing, please apply.

At Nexamp, our mission is to build the future of energy so it is clean, simple, and accessible for all. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. By encouraging a culture where ideas and decisions come from all people, we believe it will help us grow, innovate, and be a part of environmental and social change.

You'll love working here because:  

Not only will you get to take part in meaningful work and have the chance to change the world alongside innovative, dedicated, and motivated peers, but you will also have access to all the benefits that Nexamp offers! This includes our competitive compensation package; a 401(k) employer-match; health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one; flexible paid time off and holiday PTO; commuter benefits, and cell phone reimbursement. We have headquarters in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL, in addition to growing offices nationwide. We provide healthy snacks, coffee, service days and other volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more!  

Compensation

The reasonably estimated salary for this role at Nexamp ranges from $125,000 - $135,000. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance (for example, annual bonus programs based on individual and company performance, non-annual sales incentive plans, or other non-annual incentive plans). Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in the Company's stock option plan. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but is not limited to, skills and qualifications, internal equity, performance, and geographic location. 

Nexamp's People team manages all aspects of recruitment and hiring within our organization. We want to inform third-party recruiters, staffing firms, and related agencies that Nexamp does not accept unsolicited resumes. Resumes will only be considered from these entities if a signed agreement is in place and the People team explicitly authorizes external recruiting assistance for a specific position. Any unsolicited resumes received will be deemed the property of Nexamp. We want to emphasize that Nexamp is not liable for any fees associated with unsolicited resumes.