Staff Engineer, CSP

Heliogen • Full-time • Houston, Texas • 1m ago

computer vision, and robotics, Heliogen’s concentrating solar thermal solutions turn sunlight into heat, steam, power or green hydrogen fuel to help industries such as mining, cement, steel, and transportation transition to clean energy. For ambitious business and technology professionals seeking to have a meaningful impact on climate change and the health of humanity and our planet, Heliogen offers the opportunity to address global challenges through collaboration with a world-class, dynamic team of forward-thinking leaders.

About this role:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Solar Power Engineer with a strong background in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems, specifically in heliostat field design, optimization, optics, and control. As part of our dynamic renewable energy team, you will play a key role in advancing solar energy technology, optimizing the performance of heliostat fields, and contributing to innovative solar power projects.

Location: Houston, Texas

Working arrangement: Hybrid (3 days/week in the office)

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the design, optimization and performance assessment of heliostat fields for CSP plants, balancing cost and performance.

Conduct simulations and analyses to optimize heliostat layout, alignment, and tracking systems.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate optical systems with control strategies to enhance efficiency and reliability.

Develop control interface requirements for the solar field and the receiver

Develop receiver performance model for solar field control and Oversee the installation, commissioning, and testing of heliostat fields, ensuring adherence to design specifications and performance standards.

Conduct performance evaluations and troubleshooting of heliostat fields, recommending improvements and upgrades as needed.

Stay updated on the latest developments in CSP technology, heliostat design, and solar energy trends to incorporate innovative solutions into projects.

Work closely with project management, R&D, and other engineering teams to ensure successful project delivery from concept to execution.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

Proven experience (10+ years) in CSP technology, with a strong emphasis on heliostat field design and optimization.

Expertise in control systems and optimization algorithms for heliostat tracking and performance enhancement.

Proficiency in simulation tools and software for heliostat field layout, ray tracing and solar energy modeling (e.g., SAM, Sunflower etc.).

Experience developing receiver modeling tools for annual performance estimation

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Excellent communication and project management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Experience with large-scale solar power projects and knowledge of the solar energy industry is a plus.

Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for control and optimization tasks.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with tower CSP technologies.

Knowledge of energy storage systems integrated with CSP technology.

Experience with developing optical and annual performance modeling tools for CSP applications

Heliogen was created at Idealab, the leading technology incubator, and became a public company (NYSE: HLGN) in December 2021. For more information about Heliogen, please visit heliogen.com.