Associate, Project Development

Clearwayjobs; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual cash bonus based on performance

Job summary

Clearwayjobs is seeking an Associate, Project Development to manage the development of renewable energy projects across the West region of the U.S. You will support all aspects of project lifecycle including permitting, financing, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 2 years experience in renewable energy. This role requires strong project management capabilities and an understanding of regulatory environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in renewable energy industry.
• Understanding of permitting pathways in the western United States.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Manage large-scale renewable energy projects from proposal to construction.
• Support due diligence on development-stage projects.
• Negotiate critical project contracts including PPAs and EPC contracts.

Skills

Renewable energy project development

Project management

Land development negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics or related field

Job description

What The Role Is

Reporting to the Director, Project Development, the Associate, Project Development supports and directly manages the development of projects across the West region of the U.S. The Associate is a key member of the regional team charged with the development and execution of the construction of Clearway Energy Group’s solar, wind, and storage project pipeline across California, Hawaii, and the Desert Southwest. The position works with Business Development, Origination, Engineering, Project Finance, and Construction teams across the full project lifecycle from origination to commissioning and all associated activities required to bring projects to successful commercial operation.

Candidates should have prior professional renewable energy project development experience in project siting, land and real estate, regulatory and environmental permitting, interconnection, transmission, and power marketing. Experience with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) engagement and participation in one or more successful project financing processes is required. Experience working in CAISO and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) power and transmission markets is preferred.

What You'll Be Doing

• Manage and support the development of complex large‑scale renewable energy projects from proposal and siting, through permitting, design, interconnection, approval, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.
• Identify, propose, and implement creative or alternative project development approaches that reduce permitting risks, optimize development schedules, or create additional project value.
• Support or manage due diligence on development‑stage projects and portfolio acquisitions, including comparison and prioritization of opportunities based on siting, permitting, interconnection, and other project metrics.
• Support the administration of development services agreements with local/regional partners and manage a network of local project stakeholders (technical consultants, surveyors, land persons, etc.).
• Collaborate with the Land Acquisition team to perform and/or manage third‑party land campaigns to secure site control for generation and interconnection facilities.
• Collaborate with engineering and external consultants to evaluate site layouts, technology options, schedule implications, and interconnection studies.
• Coordinate and provide input to project interconnection requests, load‑flow and congestion studies, and other transmission requirements.
• Support the negotiation and diligence of critical project contracts and agreements, including PPAs, GIAs, turbine supply agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Support projects through financing diligence to secure cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments before construction starts and at term conversion.
• Coordinate and strategize with the Origination team on marketing development‑stage projects for new power purchase and offtake agreements, including responses to RFPs.
• Create and manage project budgets and schedules, navigating internal stage‑gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Help prepare and present materials describing project development opportunities to management.
• Maintain industry relationships and current knowledge of market drivers and industry trends to facilitate proactive development posture and early‑mover positioning.

What You'll Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or a related field.
• Understanding and ability to navigate complex permitting pathways for energy projects in the western United States.
• Ability to travel as required to projects within the footprint of Clearway’s West Region (>25%).
• Minimum of 2 years of applicable experience in the renewable energy industry in the U.S., with direct experience and competence in full life‑cycle development of utility‑scale solar and/or wind projects.
• Experience and familiarity with all facets of land development: landowner engagement and negotiation/contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land use/water restrictions, land (ALTA) surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements.
• A high level of critical thought and a drive to manage and/or support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing project schedules and budgets, as well as understanding key project value levers (commercial, financial, etc.).

What Would Be Nice

• Advanced study in business, finance, law, environmental science, or public policy.
• Experience and knowledge of governmental mandates, environmental regulations, or customer/market signals that impact or facilitate new development of renewable projects in Clearway’s West Region.
• Battery storage experience.
• Knowledge of the CAISO and/or WECC power and transmission markets.

Salary and Compensation

Salary Range: $120,000—$160,000 USD.

This role is eligible to earn an annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals.

Visa Sponsorship

Clearway will not sponsor non‑immigrant visas for this position (H‑1B, TN, E‑3, etc.).

Equal Opportunity and Other Legal Statements

Clearway Energy is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience & expertise. We intentionally foster a culture of inclusion that empowers our employees to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities & protected veterans to join the team. Clearway is a proud promoter of employment opportunities for our Military & Veterans.

Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equalemploymentlaws, ordinances, and regulations for all applicants and employees.

We will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to apply and compete for employment opportunities for which they are qualified. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

All official communication regarding this position will come only from an email address ending with @clearwayenergy.com. If you receive outreach from any other email address claiming to represent Clearway Energy, please do not respond, as it is fraudulent.

Notice to California Applicants: Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equalemploymentlaws, ordinances and regulations for all applicants and employees.