Permitting Specialist

IONNA; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

IONNA, based in Durham, NC, seeks a Permitting Specialist to drive zoning and permit submissions for EV charging projects across the U.S. This role is primarily onsite with some remote flexibility and requires strong vendor coordination and meticulous documentation.

You will work with Deployment Managers and Design Vendors to ensure compliance with codes, brand standards, and technical specs, influencing permitting practices and team growth. Travel up to 50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree required.
• Minimum 1 year in development/permitting submitting zoning and building permits.
• Experience with multi-jurisdictional submittals for EV charging or related markets.
• Excellent documentation and file management skills.
• Ability to read regulatory requirements and translate to project requirements.
• Process-driven, proactive, and detail-oriented.
• Familiarity with permitting software and online portals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct jurisdictional research across U.S. markets to identify codes and permits.
• Prepare, submit, and track zoning and building permit packages for EV projects.
• Coordinate with Deployment Managers and Design Vendors to ensure compliance.
• Act as primary liaison during AHJ review, manage resubmittals and plan checks.
• Oversee permitting milestones, update dashboards, and escalate delays.
• Process permit issuances and closeout, including renewals and scope changes.

Education

Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree

Tools

Salesforce

SiteTracker

Bluebeam

Monday.com

Confluence

Job description

This is a primarily onsite role based in Durham, NC. While occasional remote work flexibility is available, candidates should expect to work onsite the majority of the time and be actively engaged with local teams and leadership.

Target Base Range for this role is $65k-$80k, dependent upon experience.

About Us:

Are you ready to electrify your career and drive the future of sustainable transportation? Join IONNA, the groundbreaking joint venture founded by eight automotive titans, as we redefine the EV charging landscape across North America.

Job Summary:

We’re seeking a Permitting Specialist to support the execution of EV charging station design projects. This role is focused on submittal of zoning & permitting applications for a range of site locations across the United States. Working hand in hand with iONNA Deployment Managers & assigned Design Vendor Consultants initial AHJ submission, AHJ review, AHJ issuance of zoning/permitting applications and ensuring alignment with IONNA’s brand, product intent, and technical standards.

This is a hands-on, in office role that requires strong project ownership, vendor coordination, and attention to detail. While the role is primarily focused on execution, there may be opportunities to influence permitting practice standards and team growth over time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Jurisdictional Research & Entitlements: Conduct pre-development research to identify local zoning laws, municipal codes, and building permit requirements across U.S. markets to set accurate timeline expectations.
• Permit Application Submittal: Support, Prepare, Submit, and track zoning and building permit packages for EV charging station projects, ensuring all necessary documentation, fees, and forms are fully completed.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with iONNA Deployment Managers and exterior Design Vendor Consultants to review engineering drawings and verify they meet both municipal codes and iONNA’s brand and technical standards prior to submittal.
• Plan Check & Comment Resolution: Act as the primary liaison during the AHJ review phase, managing resubmittals, coordinating drawing updates with iONNA Deployment Manager, and clearing plan check comments to secure prompt approvals.
• Milestone Tracking & Reporting: Oversee the status of all active permitting workflows, keeping project dashboards updated and proactively escalating potential jurisdictional delays to key stakeholders.
• Permit Issuance & Closeout Support: Process final permit sign-offs, transfer active permits to deployment teams for construction, and handle any necessary scope changes or permit renewals through project completion.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Project Throughput: Number of sites successfully completed for first AHJ submittals
• Zoning & Permitting Average Life Span: Average elapsed time from A&E submission to completion of issuance zoning approvals & issued permits.
• Submission Completeness: Number of complete submissions divided by number of total submissions measured monthly.

Up to 50% travel may be required for this role. This may consist of traveling to attend AHJ pre-app meetings and zoning hearings, at times on short notice, to facilitate successful permit approvals.

Education & Experience Qualifications

• Preferred Education: Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree
• A minimum of 1 year in Development/Permitting: Direct experience submitting zoning, entitlement, and building permit applications across municipal jurisdictions.
• Site Infrastructure Focus: Prior work in EV charging, commercial solar, telecommunications (cell towers/fiber), or commercial retail rollout where high-volume, multi-jurisdictional submittals are common.
• Excellent documentation and file management skills
• Excellent reading comprehension skills. Ability to read regulatory requirements (e.g., zoning and building codes) and translate to project requirements.
• Process-driven, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Regulatory & Zoning Fluency: Deep understanding of local land-use ordinances, National Electrical Code (NEC) basics, and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) review processes. P
• Permitting Software: Familiarity with municipal online portals and project tracking software (e.g., Salesforce, SiteTracker, Bluebeam, Monday.com, Confluence)
• Preferred Experience: Demonstrated ability to read project drawings and design reports

Why IONNA?

• Be part of a pioneering venture backed by the world's leading automakers.
• Work with state-of-the-art technology that’s reshaping the automotive industry.
• Contribute directly to a sustainable future powered by renewable energy.
• Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your ideas can make a real difference.
• Unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and visibility in a rapidly expanding field.

Join the Charge

This isn't just a job – it's your chance to be a driving force in the EV revolution, with unparalleled exposure to industry leaders and decision-makers.

Based in Durham, NC, with a hybrid work model, you'll have the flexibility to innovate and the resources to succeed.

Are you ready to electrify your career, gain exceptional visibility, and leave your mark on the future of transportation?

We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team. IONNA is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.