Associate Director - Renewable Energy (Solar)

About AECOM Energy Practice

AECOM provides comprehensive services in power, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sectors, integrating generation, distribution, transmission, energy storage, and demand side management to offer holistic, modern energy infrastructure solutions. The global team includes engineers, planners, scientists, and project managers focused on cleaner, secure, sustainable energy.

Committed to diversity and inclusion, AECOM is recognized for gender equality and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

Role Overview

This leadership position as Associate Director in New Zealand's Renewable Energy team focuses on solar projects, overseeing technical and delivery responsibilities. The role involves managing complex solar hybrid projects, including technical, project management, advisory, and commercial aspects, working closely with clients to foster relationships through excellent delivery.

Key technical expertise includes solar generation assets (PV panels, inverter transformers, plant controllers, SCADA, security systems, pile driving, tracker systems, harmonic filters), BESS integration (AC/DC coupled), transmission, and grid connection. Liaising with contractors, site teams, and OEMs to provide trusted advisory services is essential. Understanding of New Zealand construction regulations as they relate to Owners Engineer roles and design management is also critical.

Responsibilities

• Lead as subject matter expert for solar project delivery, developing client relationships and generating project proposals.
• Support business development including bidding and proposal responses, working with multidisciplinary AECOM teams.
• Drive technical approaches collaborating with client teams and internal engineering disciplines in solar and renewable energies.
• Prepare and review technical documentation and guarantees covering power output, efficiency, availability, consumption, degradation, and performance parameters.
• Conduct procurement and tender assessments, normalizing bids by analyzing assumptions, design margins, lifecycle costs, and risks.
• Assist contract negotiations focused on performance guarantees, testing, warranties, damages, and maintenance obligations.
• Lead project delivery roles such as Owners Engineer or Project Manager, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and timelines.
• Represent New Zealand market insights within AECOM’s global Generation & Storage teams.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers in solar and renewable energy disciplines.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive expertise in solar and renewable energy project delivery with over 10 years in the field.
• Proven ability to build and maintain client relationships spanning senior leaders, technical teams, contractors, and OEMs.
• Established professional networks within solar and renewable sectors, including developers and government clients.
• Experience in consultancy, development, OEM, integration, or EPC industries is valued.
• Strong knowledge of solar and BESS performance metrics, guarantees, and acceptance testing methodologies.
• Competence in factory and site acceptance testing, commissioning, and contract compliance verification.
• Expertise in procurement documentation, bid evaluation, technical due diligence, and commercial negotiation.
• Ability to ensure quality and compliance with design and contractual commitments within New Zealand regulatory frameworks.
• Commercial acumen including risk assessment, warranty management, long-term service agreements, and maintenance strategies.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or related engineering; postgraduate credentials such as Chartered Engineer status or a Master's in Renewable Energy are advantageous.
• Passion for mentoring and supporting career development of emerging solar and renewable engineers.

Additional Information

The position is ideally Christchurch-based but may be located in other main offices across New Zealand. Some domestic travel will be required based on project needs. Applicants must be able to visit solar sites. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, with accommodations available during hiring processes if needed.

All new hires must participate in in-person onboarding at an AECOM office. Benefits may include health, dental, vision insurance, paid leave, flexible work arrangements, employee assistance programs, retirement plans, and more depending on employment status.

AECOM is a Fortune 500 leader in infrastructure services with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. The company offers exciting career growth, cutting-edge technology access, and a collaborative work environment.