Vice President, Pre-Construction and Engineering

 

 

The Company

Cypress Creek Renewables is powering a sustainable future, one project at a time. We develop, finance, own and operate utility-scale and distributed solar and storage projects across the country. Fostering a diverse group of innovative thinkers from all backgrounds, Cypress people are drawn to work in a purpose-driven organization. We hope you will join us.

 

The Role

The VP of Pre-Construction and Engineering will lead a team responsible for development engineering, cost-estimating, project scheduling, and pre-construction activities to support the company’s utility-scale solar and energy storage projects across the United States. This role involves overseeing the initial system design layout and project estimates from project feasibility through EPC award, working closely with the Development, Supply Chain, and Project Execution teams. The VP of Pre-Construction will ensure the team maintains industry-leading expertise in solar and storage engineering to advance high-quality projects that meet the needs of key customers. This role is critical in driving optimal project Net Present Value (NPV) through design innovation, risk identification, cost refinement, optimized energy production, and value engineering with EPC partners. The VP of Pre-Construction will report to the Executive VP of EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management).

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Establish strategic goals and objectives for the Pre-Construction team that align with CCR’s corporate goals and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Develop strategic plans for directing and controlling project development activities.
• Drive process documentation and improvement for the Pre-Construction team, ensuring seamless collaboration with adjacent stakeholder groups (Development, Supply Chain, Project Execution, Legal, etc.).
• Optimize project designs by working with Project Finance, Development, and Project Execution to achieve the highest NPV.
• Establish diligence requirements for each market pursued by CCR, creating market-based, code-compliant reference plants for standard cost/energy models.
• Collaborate with procurement on specifications & standards to drive future cost optimization.
• Ensure the Development Engineering team performs feasibility analyses, including site evaluations and preliminary system designs.
• Support site evaluation visits to gather information necessary for the design of utility-scale solar and storage systems.
• Manage a team of engineers and solar designers, as well as external consulting engineering companies, to meet project deadlines and milestones.
• Ensure quality delivery of team’s designs and products to achieve timely project completion and handoff to construction.
• Review design drawings of large-scale solar electric systems.
• Provide technical input for interconnection applications, utility approvals, and related business development incentive processes.
• Integrate new processes and methods to enhance department productivity and efficiency.
• Serve as the technical expert for engineering design decisions prior to EPC Award.
• Review and approve equipment specifications, focusing on AC equipment and interconnection equipment.
• Motivate staff, provide technical direction and guidance, and manage projects hands-on.
• Lead efforts to establish detailed and logic-based baseline project lifecycle schedules, incorporating appropriate durations for each team’s work.
• Serve as a key resource for Development, addressing upfront construction and execution-related issues early in the project life cycle.
• Provide input and review project schedules for investment approval.
• Establish alternative contract strategies considering market dynamics and project needs.
• Develop relationships with Tier 1 EPC/BoP contractors to ensure a de-risked execution strategy.
• Lead efforts to prioritize CapEx estimates and ensure timely input from relevant parties.
• Ensure project teams are trained and consistently use project tools for well-documented projects.
• Support consistent methods for project execution, including CapEx estimates, PSA/TSA execution, complete RFP and contract execution packages, and timely ordering of owner-supplied equipment.
• Manage the integration of development, procurement, and construction execution functions for committed projects.
• Guide engineering designs to achieve optimal technical solutions.
• Lead the RFP process and support negotiation of construction contracts
• Analyze budgets, costs, forecasts, and utilization against financial goals for pre-construction projects.
• Develop effective relationships with internal departm