Development Manager, Utility Scale Project

The Planet Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planet Group seeks an experienced Development Manager to lead utility-scale renewable energy projects in the West Region, spanning solar, wind, and storage. You will drive land control, interconnection, permitting, and project economics with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

You will oversee multi-year development timelines, manage risk, and coordinate with engineering, GIS, and finance to advance projects from origination to financing and ready-for-construction.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of renewable energy project development experience.
• 3+ years managing energy projects through full development lifecycle.
• Experience with utility-scale solar, wind, or storage.
• Knowledge of CAISO, WECC, and ISO/RTO markets.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, or Environmental Science.
• Proficient in power purchase agreements and interconnection processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure viable land for utility-scale deployment.
• Navigate ISO/RTO interconnection queues and grid studies.
• Oversee environmental permitting (CEQA/NEPA) and entitlements.
• Model project economics and manage budgets.
• Lead cross-functional teams and engage stakeholders.
• Coordinate with engineering, GIS, and finance teams.
• Ensure projects move from origination to financing and construction readiness.

Skills

Power markets knowledge

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

GIS tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, or Environmental Science

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

SharePoint

MS Office

Job description

We are seeking experienced professionals to lead the development of large-scale renewable energy assets within our West Region. These positions are deeply technical and regulatory in nature. You will be responsible for navigating the complex lifecycle of utility-scale solar, wind, and storage projects—transforming raw land into operational, grid-connected power plants. The ideal candidate possesses a mix of real estate acumen, technical understanding of power grids, and the persistence to manage multi-year permitting and interconnection timelines. You'll manage ~6 projects (3 active), lead development across solar, storage, and wind, handle permitting (including NEPA), collaborate cross-functionally, engage stakeholders, and mitigate risks. These roles focus on utility-scale renewable energy project development across solar, battery storage, and wind.

Core Responsibilities (Both Levels)

Site Control: Lead the identification, evaluation, and secured site control of viable land for utility-scale deployment.

Interconnection Management: Navigate the ISO/RTO interconnection queues and manage the technical studies required for grid injection.

Permitting & Entitlements: Manage the environmental and land-use permitting process at the local, state, and federal levels (including CEQA/NEPA where applicable).

Project Economics: Maintain rigorous project models, tracking development budgets and ensuring assets meet internal "Final Investment Decision" (FID) criteria.

Technical Coordination: Collaborate with specialized engineering and GIS teams to optimize site layouts and technology selection.

Proven ability to deliver large-scale utility energy development projects from origination through financing and construction readiness

Strong contract negotiation skills with a command of the legal knowledge required for successful agreement management

Thorough understanding of project development risks and the ability to frame issues with context, analysis, recommendations, and risk/benefit tradeoffs for leadership

Demonstratable knowledge of interconnection processes, permitting, real estate, and state/federal regulation affecting renewable energy projects

Strong financial analysis capabilities, including experience with project economic modeling and budget management, and impacts associated with local incentives and property taxes

Experience with project financing structures, Power Purchase Agreements, and investor documentation

Effective communicator who collaborates well with senior management, peers, and external third parties across diverse backgrounds

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), GIS tools, and project management software (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms)

Self-starter who thrives managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Job Qualifications:

Development Manager

Experience: Minimum of 8 years of directly related experience in renewable energy project development, with at least 3 years managing energy-related projects through the full development lifecycle. Direct experience in utility-scale energy, infrastructure, or heavy industrial land development

Technical Skills: Familiarity with power markets, land-use law, and project management software (e.g., MS Project or Primavera)

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, or Environmental Science

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years in utility-scale renewables with a track record of successfully de-risking projects for construction. Demonstrated experience developing utility-scale solar, wind, or battery storage projects in western U.S. markets, with working knowledge of CAISO, WECC, and other relevant ISO/RTO markets

Expertise: Deep knowledge of power purchase agreements (PPAs), transmission constraints, and tax equity structures

Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional project teams and provide strategic direction for the West Region portfolio