Senior Utility Electrical Engineer

New Leaf Energy, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 137,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work location policy

Professional development and education

401k with company match

Equity-like program

Job summary

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Senior Utility Electrical Engineer to support DER interconnection and utility integration efforts. The role offers a hybrid work model with potential remote arrangement for the right candidate, based in MA or other U.S.

offices. You will evaluate DER sites, review interconnection schemes, and provide engineering guidance for reliable connection to the utility system, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to advance clean energy projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant engineering and policy experience including renewable energy design and interconnection tariff structures.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Masters degree preferred.
• PE license preferred.
• Strong technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of DER interconnection standards and distribution impacts.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate distribution- and ISO-level utility impact studies regarding accuracy, required system upgrades, and cost reasonability.
• Assist project developers in evaluating potential PV sites and interconnection costs.
• Review interconnection drawings and applications for regulatory compliance.
• Manage technical aspects of the interconnection process at the project level.
• Provide training and guidance to internal engineering teams.
• Participate in state- and industry-level technical policy working groups to advocate DER interconnection standards.
• Attend field design meetings with relevant utility companies.
• Perform power system modeling including coordination and grounding studies.
• Organize external consultants to ensure timely and cost-effective deliveries.

Skills

Project coordination

DER interconnection

Power systems modeling

IEEE standards knowledge

Regulatory policy writing

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SKM

Aspen

PSSe

Job description

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Senior Utility Electrical Engineer to join our team. Our preference is that this position is based in Lowell or Boston, MA, but could be based out of our Oakland, Troy, or Chicago office or remote for the right candidate. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and are free to work from the office or from home on other days.

In this role you will evaluate potential distributed energy resources (DER) sites, write regulatory policy, review proposed relaying and integration schemes, and provide engineering guidance for optimal project integration with the utility system.

Internally, you will work closely with stakeholders from the Interconnection, Policy, Project Development, and Development Engineering teams. Externally, you will serve as technical engineering lead when collaborating with utility engineers in a variety of service territories to design interconnection facilities and system modifications that enable the connection of parallel distributed generators while maintaining the safe and reliable operations of the distribution system. Additionally, you will need to develop a strong understanding of New Leaf Energy’s design philosophy, engineering standards, and their financial impact on projects.

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluate and provide actionable feedback on distribution- and ISO-level utility impact studies regarding accuracy, required system upgrades, project design changes, and cost reasonability;
• Assist project developers in the evaluation of potential PV sites and provide estimates of interconnection costs;
• Review interconnection drawings and application packages for compliance with relevant utility standards and regulatory obligations;
• Manage technical aspects of the interconnection process at the project level;
• Provide training and guidance to the internal engineering team;
• Participate in internal process time and quality improvement initiatives;
• Actively participate in different state- and industry-level technical policy working groups with the intent to advocate for policies and standards that facilitate New Leaf Energy's goals and mission;
• Attend field design meetings with relevant utility companies;
• Perform power systems modeling including coordination studies and effective grounding studies;
• Organize and manage external consultants to ensure timely and cost-effective deliveries.

Desired Qualifications

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!

• 5+ years of relevant engineering and technical policy experience including renewable energy design and interconnection tariff structures;
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or similar; Masters degree preferred;
• PE license preferred;
• Strong technical writing, presentation, and communication skills, and the ability to provide concrete examples of those skills;
• Strong understanding of various technical standards that relate to the interconnection of DER, including but not limited to: IEEE 1547-2018, IEEE 1547.1-2020, IEEE 1453-2015, IEEE C62.92.6, ANSI C84.1, IEEE 519-1992, NEC-Latest Edition;
• Strong understanding of distribution system impacts associated with the interconnection of DER, as well as the ability to leverage experience to develop creative solutions to solve issues associated with the impact of DER on the electric power system;
• Knowledge of the design of generating facilities;
• Experience leading advocacy for advancement in DER interconnection technical policy;
• Experience with power systems modeling software such as SKM, Aspen, or PSSe;
• Utility system planning experience;
• Expert understanding of project deadlines, milestones and urgencies.
• Ability to autonomously manage third-party engineering firms to deliver on NLE deadlines (includes scoping, reviewing, and holding them accountable to NLE deadlines)
• Shows ability to develop and mentor less experienced engineers

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position is $136,670 - $154,880. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience.

We value transparency and can share more during the interview process.

Benefits and Culture

New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.

We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.

A Note to Third-Party Recruiters

New Leaf Energy’s People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.