Sr. or Principal Engineer, Transmission & Interconnection

Avantus; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 138,089 - 178,704; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical and dental plan

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Avantus in San Diego, CA, seeks a Principal Engineer, Transmission & Interconnection to lead interconnection strategy for utility-scale solar and storage projects. You will guide studies, engage with utilities and ISOs, and drive interconnection milestones across markets.

The role requires deep CAISO/WECC tariff knowledge, 10+ years in interconnection or transmission planning, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Ten years minimum in interconnection, project development, or transmission planning.
• Deep understanding of CAISO and WECC tariffs and processes.
• Ability to work autonomously in a dynamic pace and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to communicate clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience negotiating interconnection agreements and PPA documents.
• Experience building relationships with utilities, ISO/RTOs, and regulators.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Adobe Acrobat, and Google Earth.
• Preferred: PSLF, PSSE, TARA, UPLAN, PSCAD, ASPEN, PowerWorld, AutoCAD.
• Preferred: Bachelor/Master’s in Electric Power Systems Engineering or MBA.
• Fluent in PSLF, PSSE, TARA, UPLAN (PROMOD).
• ISO/RTO knowledge is negotiable.

Responsibilities

• Lead interconnection processes from inception to Commercial Operation.
• Perform power flow, stability, short circuit studies using PSLF, PSS/E, PowerWorld, and other tools.
• Evaluate tariffs, costs, timelines, queue, and processes across markets.
• Coordinate interconnection applications, studies, agreements, and milestones.
• Negotiate study results and interconnection agreements with utilities.
• Lead communication and track interconnection progress with utilities/ISOs.
• Identify optimal interconnection locations using cross-functional criteria.
• Track tariff changes and key transmission upgrades in target markets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Development, Origination, Finance, Legal, and Operations.

Skills

Interconnection expertise

Transmission planning

Relationship building

Autonomous work

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s in Electric Power Systems

MBA

Tools

PSLF

PSSE

PSCAD

PowerWorld

AutoCAD

UPLAN

PROMOD

Job description

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus is shaping the future by making reliable, low-cost clean energy a global reality. Our legacy of leadership in next generation solar energy includes developing one of the nation’s largest solar clusters and one of the first projects to beat fossil fuel prices back in 2016. Today, we are expanding the boundaries of existing technologies to build one of the largest portfolios of smart power plants with integrated storage, capable of providing millions of people with affordable, zero-emission energy – day and night. Through our relentless pursuit of better, we are decarbonizing our planet at the gigaton level, and bringing the advantages of clean energy to all of us.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for the Principal Engineer, Transmission and Interconnection position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to the SVP of Transmission.

Avantus’ Transmission & Interconnection team is responsible for providing interconnection strategy of all utility scale solar & storage projects, performing analysis on the transmission system to identify capacity for potential projects, and leading the company through the necessary transmission & interconnection processes of utilities and ISO’s. Avantus is active in multiple ISO’s and vertically integrated markets across the country, with multiple projects at various stages of development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead projects through the interconnection process from project inception though Commercial Operation for Avantus’ projects in ISO’s (CAISO, ERCOT, SPP, MISO, PJM, NYISO, NEISO) and vertically integrated markets (WECC).
• Perform power flow, stability, short circuit studies using PSLF, PSS/E, PowerWorld, TARA, UPLAN, ASPEN, PSCAD and other software as needed for project prospecting purposes.
• Evaluate transmission & interconnection tariffs, costs, timelines, queue, and processes for a variety of markets and provide strategy to the project teams.
• Coordinate efforts to meet all interconnection requirements including interconnection applications, interconnection studies, interconnection agreements, and post-IA project execution milestones.
• Negotiate interconnection study results and interconnection agreements with utilities toward favorable project outcomes.
• Lead communication and build relationships with utilities/ISOs and track interconnection progress to ensure projects are complete in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Identify optimal interconnection locations in target markets based on multiple cross-functional siting criteria and in depth power flow and market basis risk analyses.
• Track changes to interconnection tariffs, business practice manuals, and key transmission upgrades in target markets.
• Collaborate on interconnection milestones with cross-functional team including Development, Origination, Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Legal, Land Acquisition, Land Entitlement, Procurement, HV Engineering, Optimization Engineering, Construction, & Operations.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Ten (10) years minimum of related experience in interconnection & project development or transmission planning at a utility, ISO/RTO, or project developer.
• Deep understanding of CAISO & WECC utilities tariffs, interconnection processes, transmission service processes, transmission planning processes, and late-stage resource implementation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously at a dynamic pace, find creative solutions, track major milestones, and prioritize several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to provide verbal and written summaries of interconnection processes, results, milestones, and statuses for both a technical and non-technical audience.
• Ability to read and negotiate long legal contracts (Interconnection Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, Independent Engineer Reports, Financing Documents).
• Experience developing lasting relationships with utilities, consulting firms, ISO/RTOs, and regulators.
• Required: Strong capability in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Adobe Acrobat, & Google Earth.
• Preferred: Ability to use OASIS/OATI, GE PSLF, PSSE, UPAN, PSCAD, ASPEN, PowerWorld, and/or AutoCAD.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Electric Power Systems Engineering and/or MBA
• Fluent in PSLF, PSSE, TARA, UPLAN (or PROMOD), PSCAD, ASPEN - requirements to Perform studies
• Can learn UPLAN if they know PROMOD (others are standard, power system eng will know these).
• ISOs are negotiable

NICE TO HAVES

• Experience working with TARA is highly regarded.

#LI-Hybrid

Avantus offers competitive compensation with an excellent benefits package, including 401(k) matching; comprehensive medical and dental plan options; and flexible PTO. We are an equal-opportunity employer.

The base salary range for this full-time position is listed below (plus bonus and benefits). Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the applicable location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus and benefits.

Pay Range

$138,089—$178,704 USD

Job posting details for Sr. or Principal Engineer, Transmission & Interconnection at Avantus in (Hybrid) San Diego, CA, USA. Compensation / salary range: $138,089—$178,704 USD. ClimateTechList gathers 9,000+ job openings from over 509 climate tech companies and updates them daily.