Renewable Energy Project Developer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are currently seeking an Energy Project Developer for Existing Buildings to join McKinstry as a member of our growing Western Washington Energy division. This role sits within our development organization, between the sales team that originates opportunities and the construction team that builds them. Our Project Developers lead cross-functional project team that identifies, analyzes and develops innovative building systems renewal projects that also reduce utility consumption, electrify, and/or generate renewable energy and/or add EV charging for our clients at existing facilities - carrying each project through three development milestones: the Preliminary Facility Assessment (PFA), the Rough Order of Magnitude / Investment Grade Audit (ROM/IGA), and the final Energy Services Proposal (ESP) for construction.

This is a project development role. Guaranteed energy savings are part of what we sell, but the majority of your effort will go into defining scope, schedule, budget and execution strategy. If you have developed capital projects in existing buildings for a company that implements the construction, the ESCO-specific pieces are learnable.

Responsibilities you will have include:

• Lead the Preliminary Facility Assessment (PFA): develop an initial scope, schedule and budget for retrofits at existing public-sector (MUSH market) - HVAC, lighting, solar, windows, roofs and other building systems.
• Advance projects through the Rough Order of Magnitude / Investment Grade Audit (ROM/IGA) phase, refining scope, budget and schedule to greater accuracy.
• Deliver the Energy Services Proposal (ESP): a fully defined and guaranteed scope, budget and schedule the owner can take directly into contracting and implementation.
• Direct cost estimating efforts, and oversee the energy audits, energy calculations and retrofit measure identification performed by the technical team.
• Participate in design meetings with clients and the engineering team.
• Manage design engineers and advance design far enough to support a guaranteed price.
• Decide when and how to engage contractors and consultants, and structure competitive bidding among contractors -analogous to a general contractor.
• Bring together estimating, engineering, project schedule, subcontractor pricing and project financials into a single actionable proposal the client can sign an implementation contract for.
• Deliver proposals that meet client and project criteria and expectations.
• Manage complex projects and multiple clients at once.
• Communicate project risks clearly and early.
• Develop final reports reiterating project' value.
• Manage energy engineers and other development resources, and coordinate staffing across projects.
• Manage project development budgets and schedules.
• Recommend enhancements to client plans to help improve outcomes and reduce risk.
• Establish goals for individual team members.
• Form and lead project teams.
• Serve as the client point of responsibility during project development.
• Make presentations to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Report on the financial status of projects to stakeholders.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Demonstrated proficiency in the responsibilities listed above. 
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook required; working knowledge of SharePoint and Bluebeam preferred.
• Four (4) year college level training in architecture, architectural engineering, engineering, mechanical/electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent professional experience required.
• Five (5) years developing capital projects in existing buildings required - scope, schedule, budget and execution strategy, ideally before a project has been sold and contracted. ESCO experience is welcome but not required; candidates from general contracting, design-build, owner's representation, MEP and program management backgrounds are encouraged to apply and can learn the ESCO-specific aspects of the role.
• Demonstrated experience directing cost estimating, managing design to a fixed or guaranteed price, and coordinating subcontractor bidding.
• Experience with public-sector and institutional clients - municipal, university, school and healthcare owners - and with the procurement rules and board or council approvals that govern how they make capital decisions.
• A track record on projects that your past employer(s) implemented, typically in the $1M to $10M range, that reached construction - not studies or audits that stopped at a recommendation.
• PE, CEM, ASHRAE, AEE, LEED, CPM or CMVP professional designations preferred, but a track record of delivering projects matters more than credentials. 

This Role Probably Isn't a Fit If:

• Your project history is studies, audits and recommendations where your employer wasn't the implementer.
• You have managed energy from the owner side - facility energy manager, sustainability director, campus energy manager - rather than developing projects for a company that sells and builds them.
• Your background is utility DSM program administration, rebate processing or demand response.
• Your projects have been small or purely direct-install, with little engineering or construction complexity.

One Question We'll Ask Every Candidate

Name three specific retrofit projects you developed. Who was the client, what was the construction value, and what did you personally do to get it to construction? If you can answer that concisely and specifically, we want to talk.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $92,520 - $152,200 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay information is based on market location. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment iscontingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.