Environmental Engineer

The Environmental Engineer contributes to the development, design, and regulatory compliance of Zelestra Italia’s photovoltaic, agrivoltaic, and BESS projects, ensuring that each plant is technically optimized, environmentally compliant, and fully aligned with the Italian regulatory framework.

The role supports the design, permitting, and execution phases of projects, working closely with internal and external teams to ensure technical quality, efficiency, and long-term sustainability throughout the entire project lifecycle, from development to construction.

Plant Design and Optimization

• Design and prepare detailed and executive designs for photovoltaic, agrivoltaic, and BESS plants.
• Manage post-authorization environmental compliance, ensuring adherence to all regulatory conditions for PV, agrivoltaic, and BESS plants.
• Prepare and review specialized environmental and hydraulic reports, including the sizing of hydraulic works for stormwater management (drainage systems, channels, crossings, protection works).
• Perform hydraulic verifications and analyze interactions between project works and existing water networks.
• Manage and review on-site hydrological and hydraulic studies.
• Verify stormwater collection and drainage systems during the execution phase.
• Prepare all documentation required by authorities for hydraulic verifications during construction.
• Support the Development team in the technical assessment of projects during acquisition and early development phases.
• Design and verify low-impact, nature-based engineering solutions.
  
  

Documentation and Permitting Management

• Prepare technical and graphical documentation, including specialist reports, layouts, and detailed drawings.
• Prepare and review all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documentation when required, including:
  • Non-Technical Summary
  • Preliminary report for the excavation and reuse plan (management of soils and rocks from excavation, including characterization plans)
  • Environmental Monitoring Plan
• Produce all documentation required for submission to authorities for permitting purposes, particularly to Basin Authorities, Reclamation Consortia, and the Civil Engineering Authority for geomorphological approvals.
• Manage responses to comments and prescriptions issued by permitting authorities.
• Define proper waste management strategies throughout all construction phases, aiming to minimize waste generation and maximize reuse and recycling.
• Size stormwater management works in compliance with the principle of hydraulic invariance.
• Assess hydraulic compatibility of watercourses located within or near the project site.
• Plan and manage plant decommissioning activities and site restoration.

• Degree in Environmental Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• Preferably at least 2 years of experience in the photovoltaic, agrivoltaic, or renewable energy sector.
• Proven experience in PV plant design and preparation of technical documentation.Strong knowledge of Italian regulations related to:
  • Environmental permitting
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Landscape protection
  • Hydraulic constraints
  • Spatial and territorial planning
• Ability to prepare specialist reports (environmental, hydraulic, and technical).
• Excellent knowledge of CAD software; GIS tools are a plus.
• Experience using HEC-RAS (or equivalent) for hydraulic modeling.
• Ability to perform territorial analyses, compatibility checks, and environmental assessments.
• Availability to travel for site inspections.