Principal Engineer, Development

The posting, as Orenda wrote it

Company

Orenda is on a mission to make the grid more efficient with renewable energy projects and proprietary asset management technology. We develop, build, own and operate battery energy storage projects in dense urban environments to bridge the gap between renewables and electricity consumption.

We are a dynamic, NYC-based company at the forefront of a new industry. We are seeking highly motivated and incredibly talented individuals who wish to contribute to our important mission.

About the Team

Orenda's Project Execution Division owns the full delivery pipeline for our battery energy storage projects — carrying each project from early development through design, permitting, procurement, and construction, and into long-term asset management and operations. The division is organized into specialized departments that hand work off in a disciplined, repeatable sequence as we scale across New York City.

The Development department leads the late-stage development of each project, driving the detailed engineering and permitting work required to move a project from initial approval to construction-ready. It operates through three coordinated functions that work in lockstep: engineering (technical standards and design integrity), project management (schedule, coordination, and delivery to Notice to Proceed), and permitting (agency strategy and expediting).

About the Role

As Principal Engineer, you serve as Orenda's owner's engineer: you set and continuously raise the engineering standard for our NYC portfolio and direct the engineering partners who execute detailed design, rather than producing all design work in-house. You author the specifications that guide our engineering partners and equipment selection, ensure every design complies with those standards and applicable codes, and serve as the senior technical resource for the team. You lead through technical standards, design review, and mentorship.

You provide technical direction to our engineering partners and internal team, ensuring designs meet Orenda's standards while keeping projects on schedule. You report to the Director of Development.

This role is ideal for: a deeply technical engineer who leads by setting clear standards, developing the capability of the team, and enabling others to deliver high-quality work.

What you'll do

• Own and maintain Orenda's engineering standards and technical specifications governing the design, equipment selection, and construction of our NYC energy storage portfolio, in compliance with all applicable codes and AHJ and utility requirements.
• Author the technical specifications that guide our engineering partners and equipment selection; derive site-specific technical requirements and recommend equipment line-ups.
• Ensure design compliance — review our engineering partners' design sets for adherence to Orenda standards and consistency across engineering trades, and identify technical risks early in the design process.
• Serve as the team'

[…]
ing technical decisions by schedule and business impact.

• Extremely organized and process-oriented, with keen attention to detail.
• Relentlessly positive, strong work ethic, and passionate about clean energy.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring work from our headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, five days a week, with regular travel to project sites within the NYC area.

Why join Orenda?

At Orenda, you'll help build the real-world infrastructure that makes the energy transition possible. You'll do this in a mission-driven culture that values ownership, accountability, continuous learning, high performance, and genuine collaboration. We work hard, move quickly, and enjoy doing it together.

In addition to the chance to do important work with a great team, Orenda offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain top talent:

• Base Salary: The anticipated base salary range for this full-time position in New York City is $150,000-$420,000 per year. The final base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the successful candidate's relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.
• Bonus: This role is also eligible for a significant annual performance-based bonus.
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with 3% employer match; LifeTime Fitness corporate membership; monthly commuter stipend; learning and education stipend; flexible PTO; and regular company events.

Orenda Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair and inclusive hiring and employment practices in accordance with federal, New York State, and New York City law. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment—including hiring, promotion, compensation, or termination—on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.