Development Manager, Utility Scale Project

The Planet Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planet Group is seeking experienced Development Manager to lead the development of utility-scale renewable energy assets in the West Region. You will navigate permitting, interconnection, and complex regulatory processes across solar, storage, and wind projects, coordinating with engineering, land, and finance teams.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in renewable energy development, with 10+ years in utility-scale projects and a track record of delivering projects through to construction

Qualifications

• 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.
• 10+ years in utility-scale renewables with track record de-risking projects for construction.
• Direct experience in utility-scale energy, infrastructure, or heavy industrial land development.

Responsibilities

• 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 environmental and land-use permitting at local, state, and federal levels (including CEQA/NEPA).
• Project Economics: Maintain rigorous project models, tracking development budgets and ensuring assets meet Final Investment Decision criteria.
• Technical Coordination: Collaborate with engineering and GIS teams to optimize site layouts and technology selection.
• Demonstrable knowledge of interconnection processes, permitting, real estate, and state/federal regulation affecting renewable energy projects.

Skills

Real estate acumen

Technical understanding of power grids

Stakeholder engagement

Risk/benefit analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

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

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

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