Senior Interconnection Engineer

Trajectory Energy Partners Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Employee Equity Plan

Professional Development Stipend

401k with employer match

Paid Vacation, Sick, and Wellbeing

Job summary

Trajectory Energy Partners is seeking a Senior Interconnection Engineer to lead our grid interconnection strategy across multiple markets, directing the full lifecycle from application to energization.

You will collaborate with utilities, developers, lenders, and internal teams to assess studies, negotiate costs, and manage a growing portfolio, while mentoring junior staff. Hybrid work in the Midwest/VA region and travel are expected.

Qualifications

• 7+ years renewable energy interconnection experience with utilities, cooperatives, PUCS, or ISOs/RTOs.
• Deep familiarity with distribution and/or transmission interconnection processes across one or more utility territories or ISO/RTO markets.
• Strong technical foundation — able to read and interpret power flow studies, single-line diagrams, network upgrade scopes, and facilities study outputs.
• Demonstrated experience managing a large portfolio of projects through multiple simultaneous interconnection processes.
• Track record of successful utility negotiations on interconnection agreements, cost allocation, and upgrade scope.

Responsibilities

• Lead interconnection strategy across active markets, including queue management and studies.
• Manage full interconnection lifecycle from initial application through energization.
• Monitor tariff changes and interconnection rules to inform development strategy.
• Identify interconnection risks early and flag cost exposure and technical barriers.
• Maintain accurate tracking of queue status, milestones, deposits, and cost estimates.
• Coordinate with utilities, external engineers, and consultants on study responses and cost negotiations.
• Support project financing with interconnection due diligence materials.

Skills

Interconnection strategy

Grid interconnection

Stakeholder communication

Portfolio management

Regulatory compliance

Power systems analysis

PE license (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Tools

Power flow analysis software (PSS/E/SKM)

Job description

Trajectory Energy Partners, a solar and storage development company, is seeking a Senior Interconnection Engineer to lead technical execution of our interconnection strategy for connecting solar and storage projects to the electric grid. This is a senior role for someone who combines deep technical knowledge of grid interconnection with the strategic ability to manage a growing project portfolio across multiple utility territories and regulatory environments. Trajectory works with communities across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast to develop front-of-the-meter solar and storage projects, focusing primarily on distribution-scale projects. More information can be found at www.trajectoryenergy.com.

Specifi c responsibilities include:

Interconnection Strategy & Queue Management

• Help drive Trajectory's grid interconnection strategy across all active markets, including application timing, queue positioning, and participation in utility study processes.
• Manage the full interconnection lifecycle for a portfolio of solar and storage projects - from initial application and feasibility screening through executed interconnection agreements and energization.
• Monitor changes to utility tariffs and state interconnection rules and translate those developments into actionable strategy for the development team.
• Identify interconnection risk early in the project development process, flagging cost exposure and technical barriers before significant capital is committed.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date tracking of queue status, study milestones, deposit schedules, and cost estimates across all active projects.

Technical Analysis & Engineering Oversight

• Review and interpret interconnection study results and communicate findings clearly to internal teams.
• Evaluate network upgrade scopes and costs to assess project viability and inform go/no-go decisions.
• Coordinate with external engineers and consultants on technical analysis, study responses, and cost negotiations.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of interconnection applications, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and strategic timing.
• Conduct early-stage interconnection screening for prospective sites to support site selection and pipeline development.

Utility & Regulatory Relationships

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with utilities, electric cooperatives, and ISO/RTO staff across Trajectory's markets.
• Lead communications and negotiations with utilities on interconnection study scope, cost allocation, upgrade responsibilities, and agreement terms.
• Represent Trajectory in utility stakeholder processes and industry working groups related to grid access and interconnection policy.
• Work closely with development, legal, and finance teams to ensure interconnection timelines and costs are accurately reflected in project schedules and financial models.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop and improve internal interconnection tracking processes, templates, and data management practices as the company's portfolio grows.
• Support project financing by preparing interconnection due diligence materials and responding to lender and investor questions.
• Help build Trajectory's internal interconnection capabilities over time, including mentoring junior staff.
• Stay current on grid modernization trends, transmission planning initiatives, and federal and state policy developments affecting solar interconnection.

Experience and Background:

• 7+ years of experience managing renewable energy interconnection with utilities, electric cooperatives, PUCS, or ISOs/RTOs.
• Deep familiarity with distribution and/or transmission-level interconnection processes across one or more utility territories or ISO/RTO markets.
• Strong technical foundation - able to read and interpret power flow studies, single-line diagrams, network upgrade scopes, and facilities study outputs.
• Demonstrated experience managing a large portfolio of projects through multiple simultaneous interconnection processes.
• Track record of successful utility negotiations on interconnection agreements, cost allocation, and upgrade scope.
• Strategic thinker who can balance engineering detail with broader project economics and business priorities.
• Clear communicator who can translate complex grid and interconnection dynamics for developers, executives, lenders, and investors.
• Experience at a renewable energy developer, IPP, utility, or transmission consultancy preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, power systems, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Bene fi ts at Trajectory

• Health, dental, and vision insurance contributions
• Employee Equity Plan
• Professional Development Stipend
• Access to company 401k plus 401k employer match
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Wellbeing days

Position based in Chicago, IL or Charlottesville, VA. Flexibility on working from home multiple days a week, and in office typically 2-3 days a week. Remote work is an option if not in or around Chicago or Charlottesville. Travel across our active markets to meet with utilities and other Trajectory team members on a semi-regular basis. Estimated salary range is $160,000 - $180,000+, subject to experience and other applicable qualifications.