Senior BESS Specialist

Why choose us? 

Choosing to work for SMS means choosing to make a difference. We are changing how businesses and consumers use energy for the better, helping achieve a greener, sustainable, and more affordable energy system for everyone. Through our range of innovative energy solutions, we are delivering the future of smart energy – working closely with private and public sector partners we are playing a critical role in transforming and decarbonising the UK economy by 2050.  

What's in it for you? 

• 25 personal holiday days per year (with additional 8 public holidays) increasing to 30 personal days after 5 years of service.
• Hybrid working options. 
• Enhanced Maternity leave. Paternity and Adoption leave. 
• 24/7 free and confidential employee assistance service. 
• Medicash health plan offers a wide variety of benefits from cashback on everyday healthcare treatments like optical, dental and physio treatments. Discounted gym memberships and free 24/7 online GP. 
• Life Insurance (4 x annual salary).
• Pension matching scheme (up to 5% of salary).
• Developing our people is important to us - we support and encourage development by offering internal and external accredited courses, secondments and study support. 

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What's the role?

The position of Senior Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Specialist is part of the fast-growing SMS Grid Scale Energy Storage (GSES) department. Reporting to BESS Technology Director, the Senior BESS Specialist is responsible for overseeing the solutions provided by BESS suppliers/integrators on SMS’ grid scale battery storage projects from procurement through project delivery to operation. 

SMS plc are leaders in the smart energy revolution. At the heart of the UK energy market for over two decades, we play a critical role in transforming and decarbonising the UK energy system.  As a major energy services and smart metering company with technology, data, and sustainability at the core of our ethos and business model, SMS is committed to delivering the future of smart energy. With 240 MW of BESS in operation and a further pipeline of 860 MW SMS is one of the leading players in the BESS market. 

The position requires the ability to travel within the United Kingdom and internationally.

Key responsibilities: 

• Assist in preparation and management of technical specifications and BESS supplier/integrator selection.
• Interface with BESS suppliers/integrators to understand the specifications and functionality of their solutions.
• Undertake engineering reviews, design checks and approval of design drawings, reports, programmes, and other deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet system/grid requirements and technical and operational specifications.
• Recommend technical and design improvements where appropriate.
• Act as point of contact with BESS supplier/integrators during the various design, installation, and commissioning phases.
• Work with the Grid Scale Energy Storage team to drive the strategy behind and solutions for the SMS energy storage project pipeline.
• Develop asset optimisation strategies from the technology perspective and analyse performance data to guide decision making around cycle rates and optimal life span of cells alongside the Trading Team.
• Troubleshoot operational issues with our supplier partners to identify and resolve issues.
• Undertake research of new energy storage technologies and providers.
• Serve as BESS technical expert assisting Operations and Maintenance and Trading functions in the smooth operation and trading of BESS assets.
• Any other duties as required.

To be considered for this role, we would love you to have:

• A Bachelor or Masters degree (or equivalent) in (Electrical) Engineering or similar discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• A Membership of IEE, IET or similar Engineering Institution is desirable.
• Relevant experience and field expertise with renewable energy, with dedicated experience in the grid scale energy storage industry considered desirable.
• Proven technical experience in electrical design of renewable energy / energy storage / HV substation integration projects.
• Proven project delivery and engineering experience of renewable and/or energy storage projects, with the latter considered desirable.
• Previous experience of Operations and Maintenance role or activities beneficial.
• Detailed knowledge of BESS technology and associated equipment including, but not limited to, BESS design, installation and commissioning, lithium-ion battery chemistry, performance, Power Conversion Systems (PCS), transformers.
• Experience with relevant codes and standards for electrical systems, Energy Storage Systems, PCS, and associated equipment.
• Experience with industrial control methods and SCADA systems.
• A willingness to travel within/to UK and international project sites and/or suppliers (<20%).
• Experience and understanding of AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical software packages and drawings.
• Fluent oral and written English. Additional languages will be considered a positive.
• The ability to work remotely and as part of a wider team.

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