Susie Halper, PE
Oakland,CA
Summary
Experienced Civil Professional Engineer focused in Structural, specializing in utility-scale solar foundation design. Proven ability to solve complex engineering problems while ensuring high-quality standards. Strong communication skills enhance collaboration with clients and stakeholders, driving customer satisfaction.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Structural Project Engineer
NEXTracker (formerly Ojjo)
San Rafael, California
10.2022 - Current
- Manage Structural Foundation Design for utility-scale solar projects, collaborating with EPCs, third-party engineering firms and internal teams to develop Calculation Reports and Drawing Sets.
- Design Truss Foundations for utility-scale solar projects using RISA 3D Structural Analysis software.
- Create project-specific pull-out test plans for Ojjo Truss Foundations and analyzed pull-out test results to determine project-specific ground screw designs for Truss Foundations.
- Review engineering reports, including Geotechnical Reports and Hydrology Reports to provide engineering recommendations in support of the Sales team during bid stage of projects.
- Conduct structural analysis to support product development team.
- Develop internal processes and tools for designing Ojjo Truss Foundations.
- Serve as Structural subject matter expert for Ojjo Truss Foundations through diligence with new customers.
- Provide construction support to field teams during foundation installation.
Structural Engineer
Borrego Solar
Oakland, CA
07.2020 - 09.2022
- Served as Internal Structural Engineer on commercial and utility scale rooftop, carport and ground mounted PV solar projects.
- Coordinated between internal project team, racking manufacturers, and third party engineers to provide structural engineering support for solar projects beginning at pre-contract, and continuing through construction and commissioning. This included reviewing geotechnical reports and other site discovery activities, reviewing quotes, racking and foundation designs, design of structural BOS, conducting site visits and observations, and construction administration.
- Designed all structural components with adherence to requirements of IBC, ASCE 7, and other pertinent design codes and specifications.
- Produced structural construction drawings for rooftop, ground mounted, and carport PV solar projects.
- Analyzed existing building/roof structures for adequacy to support roof mounted solar.
- Developed and maintained company wide structural design standards and details.
Design Engineer
Complete Structural Consulting
McLean, VA
09.2018 - 07.2020
- Designed steel connections for industrial, commercial, mixed-use, residential and educational building facilities.
- Designed concrete foundations for pre-engineered metal buildings.
- Designed and analyzed miscellaneous structures including steel and aluminum handrails, stairs, canopies, ladders and screen walls using AISC 360.
- Developed loads for structural design using ASCE 7.
- Coordinated between engineering, detailing team and steel fabricators from project inception to completion.
Associate Engineer, Transmission & Substation Reliability
Pepco Holdings, Inc., an Exelon Company
Washington, DC
07.2017 - 08.2018
- Monitored company assets (transformers, circuit breakers etc.), prioritized and identified equipment for replacement and trending.
- Conducted failure analysis investigations and wrote failure analysis reports.
- Served as Area Maintenance Engineer for 30 substations. Responsible for staying informed and engaged with ongoing projects and emergent issues at assigned substations and responding to emergent issues at those substations.
- Allocated funding to projects in a dynamic environment where conditions and priorities were constantly changing.
- Served as a liaison between Pepco and outside manufacturers and vendors.
Education
B.S. - Civil Engineering
University of Maryland- A. James Clark School of Engineering
College Park, MD05.2017
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- AutoCAD
- RISA 3D
- Tekla Tedds
- L-Pile
- RAM Structural Suite
- Bluebeam
- SketchUp
Affiliations
- Soccer
- Triathlons
- Cooking
- Puzzles of all varieties
- The Great Outdoors (Hiking, Trail Running, MTB)
Certification
Professional Civil Engineer in the following states:
- California
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Washington
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Structural Project Engineer
NEXTracker (formerly Ojjo)
10.2022 - Current
Structural Engineer
Borrego Solar
07.2020 - 09.2022
Design Engineer
Complete Structural Consulting
09.2018 - 07.2020
Associate Engineer, Transmission & Substation Reliability
Pepco Holdings, Inc., an Exelon Company
07.2017 - 08.2018
B.S. - Civil Engineering
University of Maryland- A. James Clark School of Engineering