Grid Strategy and Interconnection Manager

Motive Workforce; California; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Motive Workforce seeks a Manager, Grid Strategy & Interconnection to lead grid interconnection for nationwide energy infra projects, including battery storage, distributed generation, and on-site power solutions. You will drive strategy, site evaluation, applications, and negotiations with utilities and grid operators.

The role requires 7+ years in interconnection and strong technical and business acumen to translate findings into project development and commercial decisions.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in grid interconnection, utility coordination, or energy infrastructure development.
• Experience with CAISO, PJM, ERCOT, SPP, or MISO is preferred.
• Strong understanding of interconnection studies and utility processes.
• Ability to translate findings into development and commercial strategies.
• Experience managing multiple interconnection projects independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead interconnection strategy and execution for storage, DER, and on-site generation.
• Manage the full interconnection lifecycle from evaluation to negotiations.
• Evaluate grid capacity, constraints, hosting capacity, and upgrade costs.
• Review studies (load flow, short circuit, stability) and deliverability analyses.
• Develop strategies to optimize costs and project schedules.
• Collaborate with utilities, engineering, legal, and commercial teams.
• Present findings and risks to senior leadership.
• Identify market opportunities and interconnection approaches.

Skills

Interconnection strategy

Grid interconnection

Project development

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Communication

Negotiation

Risk management

Leadership

Education

B.S. Electrical Engineering

Tools

Smartsheet

Sitetracker

Job description

Motive Workforce is hiring a Manager, Grid Strategy & Interconnection to support the development and expansion of energy infrastructure projects nationwide, including utility-scale battery energy storage, distributed generation, on-site power solutions, and data center infrastructure.

We are looking for an experienced interconnection professional who combines strong technical expertise with strategic project development experience. This role goes beyond managing applications and utility studies. The right candidate can evaluate grid access opportunities, assess market conditions, navigate utility constraints, and develop interconnection strategies that support commercial and investment decisions.

This position is ideal for a senior-level professional who has independently managed complex interconnection projects and understands both the engineering and business considerations involved in bringing energy infrastructure projects to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead interconnection strategy and execution for utility-scale battery storage, distributed energy resources, and on-site generation projects.
• Manage the full interconnection lifecycle, including site evaluation, queue positioning, applications, studies, and agreement negotiations.
• Evaluate grid capacity, transmission constraints, hosting capacity, network upgrade costs, and project feasibility.
• Review and interpret utility and ISO/RTO studies, including load flow, short circuit, stability, contingency, and deliverability analyses.
• Develop strategies to manage interconnection risks, optimize costs, and improve project schedules.
• Work directly with utilities and grid operators to address technical requirements and advance project approvals.
• Evaluate emerging market opportunities and recommend interconnection approaches based on technical and commercial considerations.
• Support interconnection planning for energy storage, distributed generation, and data center power infrastructure.
• Collaborate with engineering, development, legal, and commercial teams to align interconnection activities with project milestones.
• Present technical findings, project risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in grid interconnection, utility coordination, power systems engineering, or energy infrastructure development.
• Direct experience working with utilities and major U.S. grid operators, including CAISO, PJM, ERCOT, SPP, or MISO.
• Strong technical understanding of interconnection studies, grid constraints, power system requirements, and utility processes.
• Experience evaluating energy project sites based on power availability, transmission constraints, and financial feasibility.
• Experience negotiating and executing interconnection agreements.
• Ability to translate technical interconnection findings into actionable project development and commercial strategies.
• Experience independently managing multiple interconnection projects with significant technical, financial, and scheduling considerations.
• Strong communication skills and experience working with utilities, engineering teams, developers, and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related field.
• Experience across utility operations, power systems consulting, and renewable energy development.
• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS), distributed generation, or on-site power infrastructure.
• Background supporting interconnection strategy for renewable energy developers or independent power producers.
• Experience identifying attractive development markets and recommending project positioning strategies based on grid conditions.
• Exposure to hyperscale data centers, high-load customers, or transmission development.
• Familiarity with FERC regulations, ISO/RTO tariffs, cluster studies, and network upgrade cost allocation.
• Working knowledge of power system modeling and interconnection study tools.
• Experience managing external engineering consultants and technical service providers.
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Smartsheet or Sitetracker.

Compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, and location. The position also offers bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, and paid time off.

Location: Multiple U.S. Locations, including CA, TX, CO, WA, OR, IL, NY, NJ, and FL