Director, Large Load Interconnection

Gridstor; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + bonus

Generous paid leave

Long Term Incentive Plan

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

HSA/FSA

401(k) plan

Education support

Cellphone reimbursement

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

GridStor, a Portland-based grid-scale energy storage developer, seeks a Director of Large Load Interconnection to lead interconnection strategy for BESS and data centers across North America.

The role requires deep expertise in transmission planning, EMT modeling, and ISO/RTO coordination, guiding utilities and stakeholders to scalable interconnection solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in transmission planning, large load interconnection, or power systems engineering.
• Experience with hyperscale data centers interconnections.
• Strong understanding of utility transmission systems and interconnection processes.
• Experience with PJM, ERCOT, CAISO or similar ISO/RTO markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead large load interconnection strategy across major ISO/RTO markets.
• Manage lifecycle of interconnection processes from applications to agreements.
• Develop technical solutions for BESS, hybrid generation, and data center projects.
• Serve as technical interface with utilities, ISOs, and equipment manufacturers.
• Evaluate data center power architectures and redundancy strategies.
• Lead transmission planning, power flow, EMT, and grid studies.
• Coordinate modeling activities (PSCAD, PSS/E, PSLF, EMTP-RV) for interconnections.
• Coordinate HIL testing and validation with OEMs, EPCs, and utilities.
• Identify risks, constraints, and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor ISO/utility requirements and adapt development strategies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to teams.

Skills

Large load interconnection

Transmission planning

EMT modeling

Utility coordination

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

PSCAD

PSS/E

PSLF

EMTP-RV

PowerFactory

ETAP

Job description

Company Overview:

GridStor is a rapidly growing, grid-scale energy storage developer, owner and operator backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and led by experienced clean energy industry professionals. We acquire and develop battery storage projects in markets across North America. GridStor’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free, resilient grid by rapidly deploying stand-alone energy storage at scale.

GridStor is based in Portland, Oregon, and offers competitive compensation and a wide selection of benefits including unlimited paid time off. Read more about life at GridStor at: https://gridstor.com/careers/

Position Overview

GridStor is seeking an experienced Director, Large Load Interconnection to lead the technical strategy and execution of large load interconnections supporting hyperscale data centers and advanced energy infrastructure across North America.

This role will lead Front-of-the-Meter (FTM) and Behind-the-Meter (BTM) interconnection strategy for projects incorporating battery energy storage systems (BESS), hybrid generation, renewable energy, and utility-scale transmission infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in large load interconnections, transmission planning, EMT modeling, and utility coordination across multiple ISO/RTO markets.

The position partners closely with Development, Engineering, EPC, Commercial, and external stakeholders to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and scalable power solutions for next-generation data center developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead large load interconnection strategy across ERCOT, CAISO, PJM, MISO, SPP, WECC, and utility service territories.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of Front-of-the-Meter (FTM) and Behind-the-Meter (BTM) interconnection processes, including applications, system studies, utility negotiations, and interconnection agreements.
• Develop technical solutions for co-located BESS, hybrid generation, renewable energy, and hyperscale data center projects.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, transmission owners, consultants, and equipment manufacturers.
• Evaluate and optimize data center power architectures, including BESS, hybrid generation, UPS integration, and 2N/N+1 redundancy strategies.
• Lead or review transmission planning, power flow, transient stability, EMT, short circuit, harmonic, and grid compliance studies.
• Support PSCAD, PSS®E, PSLF, EMTP‑RV, or equivalent modeling activities for interconnection and system performance.
• Coordinate Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and model validation activities with OEMs, EPCs, and utilities.
• Identify interconnection risks, transmission constraints, schedule impacts, and cost exposure while developing mitigation strategies.
• Monitor evolving ISO, utility, and regulatory requirements and incorporate changes into project development strategy.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to internal teams and external engineering consultants.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in transmission planning, large load interconnection, or power systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience supporting hyperscale data center or other large load interconnections.
• Strong understanding of utility transmission systems, substations, and interconnection processes.
• Experience with one or more major ISO/RTO markets, with PJM, ERCOT and CAISO preferred.
• Working knowledge of PSCAD, PSS®E, PSLF, EMTP‑RV, PowerFactory, ETAP, or comparable power system analysis tools.
• Experience evaluating BESS, hybrid generation, renewable integration, or co-located energy systems.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, EMT modeling, and inverter-based resource performance.
• Familiarity with NERC, FERC, IEEE 2800, IEEE 1547, and applicable ISO/RTO interconnection requirements.
• Experience supporting projects at 230 kV, 345 kV, or 500 kV transmission voltages.
• Knowledge of data center resiliency architectures, including islanding, black start, demand response, and hybrid energy systems.
• MBA or advanced degree in Power Systems is a plus.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a technically strong, solutions-oriented leader who thrives in fast-paced development environments and can bridge transmission planning, grid integration, and data center infrastructure. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with the ability to navigate complex utility and ISO processes, influence stakeholders, and develop innovative interconnection strategies that enable reliable and scalable growth of GridStor's energy infrastructure portfolio.

Compensation and Benefits

GridStor offers an attractive Total Rewards package, including:

• Competitive base salaries commensurate with experience with an annual cash bonus (based on Company and individual performance)
• Generous paid leave
• Employee participation in Long Term Incentive Plan
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, including coverage for domestic partners and eligible domestic partner children
• HSA/FSA for participating employees
• 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting
• Continuing education and professional development
• Cellphone reimbursement, hybrid work environment, healthy snacks, volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more.

Company Operating Principles

GridStor’s Operating Principles represent who we are, how we work, and what we believe.

We Collaborate. We believe trust is given, not earned. We honor each other’s zone of genius and seek to challenge ideas, not each other. We listen to each other’s points of view and work hard to find the better solution. We are one team.

We Are Humble. We like hard work, but don’t make work hard. We know we have a lot to learn and never grandstand or take up all the space in the room. We are kind. We are welcoming. We are inspired by our mission to decarbonize the grid.

We Create the Future. We are curious. We go deep, search for the best idea, and then move fast. We always focus on the few things that matter most. We know there will be setbacks, so we show up every day ready to learn and be better, together.

We Show Up for Each Other. We keep each other fully informed. We seek to understand. We coach, we don’t blame. We share our points of view and seek to make each other better every day. We believe everyone creates culture in every moment, every day.

We Do Hard Things. We view challenges as opportunities. We are resilient. We are all owners, and we act like it. We understand change requires taking risks and we push ourselves and our partners. We do what is right as opposed to what might be best for any one of us.