BESS Project Developer

OpenMind Staffing, LLC; Washington (District of Columbia, MD); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenMind Staffing, LLC is seeking a Project Developer in Washington, DC to advance battery energy storage projects across key US markets. The role reports to the VP of Development and requires hands-on development from site identification through permitting and interconnection.

The position emphasizes land acquisition, interconnection management, and stakeholder coordination, with a strong focus on building a scalable storage pipeline and supporting company expansion.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in renewable energy project development, preferably in distributed generation, commercial and industrial solar, or battery energy storage.
• Experience advancing projects through land acquisition, permitting, and interconnection.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience; Washington, DC office 2–3 days/week.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and secure project sites through greenfield development and acquisition opportunities.
• Lead landowner engagement and coordinate negotiations to establish site control.
• Manage projects through interconnection, permitting, title review, surveys, environmental diligence, and site planning.
• Coordinate with local authorities and stakeholders to secure necessary approvals and resolve siting challenges.
• Manage utility coordination and advance interconnection applications, studies, and agreements.
• Assess tariffs, regulatory developments, and market conditions to identify storage opportunities.
• Develop and manage project budgets and schedules, ensuring progress and expenditures.
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners, utilities, consultants, and development partners.
• Identify development risks and communicate critical decisions to leadership.

Skills

Project development

Communication

Negotiation

Project management

Financial analysis

Team coordination

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Financial modeling

Interconnection studies

Job description

Location: Washington, DC — hybrid, 2–3 days per week in the DC office

Compensation: $140,000–$160,000 base salary plus up to 50% bonus

About the Opportunity

A growing community and distributed solar and energy storage developer is seeking a Project Developer to advance battery energy storage projects across key US markets.

Reporting to the VP of Development, this individual will take ownership of projects from site identification through development, leading land acquisition, interconnection, permitting, and due diligence. This is an opportunity for a hands‑on developer to help build a growing storage pipeline and play a meaningful role in the company’s expansion.

Responsibilities

• Project Origination: Identify, evaluate, and secure project sites through greenfield development and acquisition opportunities.
• Land Acquisition: Lead landowner engagement and coordinate negotiations to establish site control.
• Project Development: Manage projects through key development milestones, including interconnection, permitting, title review, surveys, environmental diligence, and site planning.
• Permitting: Coordinate with local authorities, consultants, and community stakeholders to secure necessary approvals and resolve siting challenges.
• Interconnection: Manage utility coordination and advance interconnection applications, studies, and agreements.
• Market Evaluation: Assess utility tariffs, regulatory developments, and market conditions to identify attractive energy storage opportunities.
• Budgets and Schedules: Develop and manage project budgets and schedules, maintaining accountability for progress and expenditures.
• Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with landowners, utilities, consultants, and other development partners.
• Risk Management: Identify development risks, recommend practical solutions, and communicate project status and critical decisions to leadership.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in renewable energy project development, preferably in distributed generation, commercial and industrial solar, or battery energy storage.
• Demonstrated experience advancing projects through land acquisition, permitting, and interconnection.
• Strong preference for BESS development experience in New York City, including permitting experience.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and coordinate internal teams and external partners.
• Financial acumen and experience evaluating project economics or working with renewable energy financial models.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build productive stakeholder relationships.
• A proactive approach, strong attention to detail, and accountability for project outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to work from the Washington, DC office 2–3 days per week.