Project Developer – Solar & Storage | Illinois (Remote)

talisman; Illinois; Remote; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Independent Clean Energy Developer in Illinois is seeking a Project Developer to own early-stage distributed generation development from site identification to lease execution. You will regularly interact with local authorities and stakeholders and collaborate with an established development team.

The role requires 3+ years in energy project development (solar PV or storage), a related degree, and field-based travel across rural sites.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in energy project development, with hands-on experience in solar PV and/or battery storage.
• Engineering/environmental/public policy degree or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to travel to rural project sites on short notice and work field-based.

Responsibilities

• Building and managing a pipeline of early-stage DG opportunities.
• Lead landowner outreach campaigns and lease negotiations from first contact to execution.
• Represent the business before local authorities, planning bodies, and community stakeholders.
• Monitor zoning, environmental, and regulatory policy across the portfolio and advocate for favorable policy.
• Maintain milestones and project records to support forecasting.
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable team culture.

Skills

GIS experience

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Engineering or related degree

Tools

GIS platforms

Project database management

Job description

We're working with an independent clean energy developer with a strong track record across community solar, C&I, and utility-scale markets to find a Project Developer for their expanding Illinois portfolio. This is a remote role based in Illinois or the wider Midwest, with regular in-state travel.

The role

You'll take ownership of early-stage development activity for a distributed generation pipeline -from site identification and landowner outreach through to lease execution and stakeholder engagement. You'll work closely with an established development team and regularly represent the business in front of local authorities, governing bodies, and community stakeholders.

What you'll be doing

• Building and managing a pipeline of early-stage DG opportunities, including map and site screening using GIS tools
• Leading landowner outreach campaigns and running lease negotiations from first contact through to execution, including handling legal encumbrances
• Serving as the primary point of contact with local AHJs, planning bodies, and community stakeholders
• Monitoring and tracking zoning, environmental, and regulatory policy across your project portfolio, and advocating for favorable policy where needed
• Keeping development milestones on track and on budget, and maintaining accurate project records to support company-wide forecasting
• Contributing to a collaborative, accountable team culture.

What they're looking for

• 3+ years in energy project development, with hands-on experience in solar PV and/or battery storage; distribution-level experience preferred
• A degree in engineering, environmental science, real estate, public policy, or a related field - or equivalent experience gained through progression in the renewable energy sector
• Comfort working independently in a field-based role, including frequent travel to rural project sites on short notice
• Proficiency with GIS platforms and project database management
• Solid grounding in permitting, regulatory frameworks, and real estate development documentation
• Strong communicator and relationship-builder - comfortable engaging landowners, local officials, and internal teams alike
• Self-starter with the resilience and problem-solving instinct to navigate a fast-moving development environment