Manager – Generator Interconnection

Job Title: Manager – Generator Interconnection

Reports To: Vice President – Transmission and Interconnection 

Job Status: Permanent – Full Time

Location: USA – Remote Position

Company Description: Candela Renewables is a leading national developer of utility-scale solar and storage power projects. Our mission is to develop the most reliable, cost effective, environmentally beneficial, and financeable solar power projects in the U.S. We have the most accomplished solar development team in the industry. Candela has a long-term partnership with Naturgy Energy Group, a global energy company based in Madrid, Spain. 

Summary: The position will be responsible for managing the interconnection and grid integration process in certain target markets within the United States supporting the company's overall development goals. The position will participate in new market analyses and will be responsible for transmission related topics including tariffs, planning, accessibility and overall interconnection process. The role will perform internal analyses as well as manage external subject matter experts in various target markets as needed to support the overall development process. The position will engage in external communication with agencies, utilities and consultants in support of project development. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or similar with an emphasis on power systems. Advanced degree in Power Engineering is preferred. 

Experience: 5 years minimum experience in transmission planning and generation interconnection related studies. Utility planning and project siting experience is preferred. 

Qualifications:

  • Experience in transmission planning, grid operation and generator interconnection topics 

  • Experience in generation interconnection process and transmission tariffs in PJM market, knowledge in ERCOT and MISO markets is a plus

  • Familiar with power system modeling and transmission planning/generator interconnection studies

  • Familiar with one and more software – TARA/PSSE/PSLF and capable of using the software to perform interconnection studies independently

  • Knowledge of production cost simulations is a plus

  • Ability to establish strong working relationships with utilities, ISOs and industry representatives

  • Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills, capable of applying advanced engineering principles to identify and solve complex issues

  • Proficient in public speaking, presentation skills, explaining complex technical topics and writing technical memo

  • High-energy, positive attitude with ability to receive constructive feedback.  Interest in growing careers in the solar and renewable industry

  • Self-motivated and strong work ethic  

  • Attention to detail  

  • A strong sense of personal responsibility and ownership of work product  

  • Desire to join a high-energy, evolving team at a small, growing company  

  • Fun to work with 

Scope of Responsibilities:

  • Manage the interconnection process and monitor key milestones throughout the lifecycle of the project from initialization to commissioning of the projects

  • Perform/Evaluate interconnection studies and identify schedule and risks in support of project development and due diligence evaluation 

  • Act as main liaison with project developers on matters relating to interconnection and provide technical insight and business solution to reduce interconnection cost and remove obstacles to project development

  • Perform internal analysis to predict interconnection capacity and other key parameters to support project siting

  • Manage and understand the impacts of production cost analyses performed by external subject matter experts

  • Conduct due-diligence review of potential project and portfolio acquisitions and related commercial transactions related to the interconnection and transmission risk and provide recommendations to the acquisition team

  • Perform transmission assessments and policy reviews to forecast future system conditions and determine commercial viability to support siting, IA, PPA, financing and sale process

  • Negotiation and amendment of contractual agreements with Transmission Owners for potential commercial counter parties 

  • Collaborate with engineering team in optimizing project’s engineering design in support of grid integration requirements

  • Manage consultants as necessary to support the interconnection process including application deliverables in addition to engineering review of utility schedules and cost estimates

  • Represent the Company and establish/maintain productive relationships with key utilities, ISOs, industry groups, regulators and other stakeholders on issues related to transmission and interconnection

  • Monitor regional transmission planning process and interconnection policy change; participate as stakeholder in transmission and market related regulatory activities

  • Review utility transmission planning reports and present findings to the Company team

  • Evaluate and provide recommendations on the impact of new and proposed transmission/interconnection related legislation and regulations that could impact company and/or the utility scale solar industry

Travel: Up to 25% domestic travel is expected on an annual basis. As a minimum travel to the San Francisco office on a quarterly basis is required.

Compensation: Estimated base salary range for this position: $140,000 – $191,000.  This range reflects the minimum and maximum estimate for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Actual salary range will be based on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographic location, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that the salary range reflects the base salary only, and does not include the discretionary bonus, profit sharing, 401k contributions or other benefits. Candela reserves the right to adjust this range depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.