SVP, Technical Operations

NextGenEnergyJobs; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGenEnergyJobs in Denver seeks a senior leader to head Development Engineering and Project Engineering, guiding teams to design Pivot projects for four decades of operation. You will integrate strategy with execution, ensure high-quality asset performance, and drive standardized designs to reduce cycle times.

You will own grid integration efforts, manage interconnection studies with utilities, and partner across O&M and Asset Management to optimize capital efficiency and long-term IRR.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in engineering management and/or operations leading teams.
• 7+ years of experience in solar, project development, utility programs, or other related renewable energy experience.
• Demonstrated success leading project engineering across a range of solar project types, from inception through finance, including construction and operations.
• Understanding of electrical distribution, sub-transmission and transmission equipment, and utility design practices, and how design decisions impact returns.
• Extensive knowledge of solar and battery system technologies, including storage to mitigate grid constraints.
• Strong ability to build cross-functional partnerships and drive results across departments.
• Experience implementing automated engineering and grid modeling tools to increase pipeline velocity.
• Ability to clearly translate complex engineering concepts to senior leadership and investors.
• Experience or interest in designing AI tools to reduce manual work and scale workflows.
• NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead Development Engineering and Project Engineering teams, collaborating with development strategy, execution, and asset management to optimize long-term operation (40+ years).
• Oversee Grid Integration with predictive modeling to identify high-probability interconnection locations and minimize study timelines.
• Provide executive oversight, monitor objectives, and coordinate with adjacent engineering functions to align on strategy and budget.

Job description

Development Engineering and Project Engineering: Lead the development engineering and project engineering teams, ensuring close collaboration with development strategy and execution, project delivery, and O&M and Asset Management to ensure Pivot projects are designed to operate optimally for 40+ years.

Key Responsibilities

• Development Engineering and Project Engineering: Lead the development engineering and project engineering teams, ensuring close collaboration with development strategy and execution, project delivery, and O&M and Asset Management to ensure Pivot projects are designed to operate optimally for 40+ years. Maximize lifecycle asset value ($/MW) and long-term project IRR, integrating real-world performance data and degradation strategies from operating assets back into the SBoD. Drive organizational efficiency by enforcing standardized designs and equipment specifications to reduce project cycle times and minimize custom engineering hours. Balance internal resource allocation against external partners to ensure the team can flex with pipeline surges without creating engineering bottlenecks. Continuously assess Pivot’s project pipeline, proactively managing team resources, and closely monitor industry trends to improve Pivot’s SBoD, ensuring compliance with industry and code requirements.
• Grid Integration: Operate the grid integration function as a strategic data asset, utilizing utility relationship management and predictive modeling and analysis to identify high-probability interconnection locations for site acquisition. Ensure interconnection applications are submitted ASAP after gaining site control, to the highest quality standards for each utility to minimize rejections and resubmissions, and work with utilities to develop constructive relationships that reduce study and construction timelines. Evaluate and audit incoming IX studies for accuracy, technically challenging utility upgrade assumptions to unlock congested grid capacity and minimize Pivot's capital expenditure. Develop rigorous technical 'go/no-go' frameworks to quickly de-risk the pipeline and pivot resources away from low-probability interconnection queues.
• Executive Oversight: Develop, monitor, and report on annual team objectives, ensuring alignment with Pivot’s top-line annual goals. Develop and report business analytics to drive enhanced decision-making, solutions development, and operational enhancements using Pivot’s software solutions. Oversee and direct the team’s professional development to ensure industry-leading competencies in solar, solar + storage, and standalone project design and engineering. Prepare and approve annual budget expenditures for all department-related tasks. Work with adjacent engineering functions in the strategy and O&M groups to ensure alignment across all engineering work at Pivot, creating feedback loops and knowledge sharing opportunities for all groups.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in engineering management and/or operations, including team leadership
• 7+ years of experience in solar, project development, utility programs, or other related renewable energy experience
• Demonstrated success leading project engineering across a range of solar project types, including ground-mounted, rooftop, and carport solar projects, from project inception through finance, with experience in construction and operations
• Understanding of electrical distribution, sub-transmission and transmission equipment, and utility design practices, and knowledge of how project design decisions impact project returns
• Extensive knowledge of solar and battery system technologies, specifically utilizing storage to mitigate grid capacity constraints and unlock congested queues
• A high degree of humility and a strong desire to build cross-functional partnerships to achieve collective goals
• Ability to lead the implementation of automated engineering and grid modeling tools to increase pipeline velocity and reduce manual analysis hours
• Exceptional ability to translate complex engineering concepts clearly and concisely to senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and investors
• Experience in or passion for designing AI tools to reduce manual work, accelerate analysis, strengthen data integrity, and scale workflows
• NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification