Principal Project Engineer - Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA, US

Job Title: Principal Project Engineer · Department: Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) & Utility · Payroll Company Name: California Bioenergy LLC · Reports To: Vice President, Project Development (EPC & Utility) · Office Location: Bakersfield, CA · Annual Salary Range: $ ...

Job description

Job Title: Principal Project Engineer

Department: Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) & Utility

Payroll Company Name: California Bioenergy LLC

Reports To: Vice President, Project Development (EPC & Utility)

Office Location: Bakersfield, CA

Annual Salary Range: $140,000 to $165,000

Benefits: Standard CalBio benefits package is available: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

California Bioenergy LLC (CalBio), founded in 2006, is one of the nation's leading developers, owners, and operators of dairy digester projects. Working closely with our family dairy partners and agencies, including CARB, CDFA, CPUC, CEC, and the EPA, alongside affiliates Midwest Bioenergy, Northwest Bioenergy, and Southwest Bioenergy, we capture methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and beneficially use it to generate renewable natural gas (RNG) and electricity. Our projects reduce more than 1 million metric tons of CO₂e emissions per year, with a pathway to doubling these reductions over the next three years. A major use of CalBio RNG is as vehicle fuel; when truck fleets transition from diesel to natural gas, pollution emissions can drop by ~90%, delivering immediate air-quality benefits in communities such as California's San Joaquin Valley and the L.A. Basin. These projects also help protect local air and water quality, create jobs, and provide new revenue and other meaningful benefits for our dairy partners.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Principal Project Engineer plays a significant role in delivering complex renewable‑energy projects from early development through construction and commissioning. A bachelor's degree in mechanical, Civil, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline with EIT or PE is required. This position will manage the technical aspects of projects while keeping overall project goals in mind. This position blends deep technical expertise with cross‑functional leadership, ensuring that engineering designs are optimized, risks are managed, and projects are executed safely, on schedule, and within budget.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Lead engineering design, analysis, and optimization for hybrid renewable‑energy projects.
• Review and approve engineering drawings, specifications, and calculations prepared by internal teams and external consultants.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and permitting requirements (NEC, IEEE, UL, IFC, local AHJ requirements, etc.).
• Conduct technical due diligence for new sites, technologies, and equipment suppliers.
• Support energy‑yield modeling, system sizing, and performance analysis.

Project Execution

• Serve as the technical lead throughout project lifecycle — development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Coordinate with EPC partners, contractors, and equipment vendors to resolve engineering issues and maintain design integrity.
• Oversee technical aspects of procurement, including equipment specifications, bid evaluations, and vendor qualification.
• Support construction teams with RFIs, field engineering decisions, and quality‑control oversight.
• Participate in commissioning planning, testing, and performance verification.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with development, permitting, finance, and commercial teams to evaluate project feasibility and optimize designs.
• Provide engineering input for interconnection studies, utility coordination, and grid‑integration requirements.
• Prepare technical documentation for internal approvals, investment committees, and external stakeholders.

Risk, Quality & Compliance

• Identify technical risks and propose mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards, environmental requirements, and quality‑assurance processes.
• Maintain accurate engineering records, design revisions, and project documentation.

CRITICAL SKILL SETS/KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic planning and execution
• Stakeholder management
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Technical and quality excellence
• Team leadership and mentorship
• Solid communicator
• Proficient in most technical PC applications.

ESSENTIAL JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Civil, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline required.
• 7+ years of progressive engineering and project management experience.
• Strong knowledge of engineering principles, project delivery methods, and relevant industry codes/standards.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or similar).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with experience leading multidisciplinary teams

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work locations are industrial and agricultural, primarily outdoors in the central valley of California. Temperatures range from 40 deg F in the winter to 115 deg F in the summer. Limited exposure to hazardous materials and/or toxic fumes will require the use of approved personal protective equipment. Regular exposure to heat, noise, flammable materials, rotating equipment, and other conditions normally encountered in an industrial environment should be expected. California Bioenergy will ensure all applicable work rules and safety requirements are closely adhered to. This position will require heavy lifting (<50 lbs.) and/or climbing ladder and/or stairs, bending squatting, and crawling in tight spaces to safely access work sites.