SVP, Technical Operations

Pivotenergy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivot Energy is seeking a senior leader to drive the Development Engineering, Project Engineering, and Grid Integration teams. The role focuses on screening a 1GW+ pipeline to reliably deliver 300 MW/yr in solar and storage assets, using AI-driven design and a Standard Basis of Design (SBoD) to scale across projects.

You will report to the Chief Development Officer and provide data-driven visibility to the Board and investors, while advancing Pivot’s net-positive impact.

Qualifications

• Requires 10+ years in engineering management or operations with leadership experience.
• 7+ years in solar or renewable energy project development and utility programs preferred.
• Experience leading project engineering across solar types from inception to finance and O&M.

Responsibilities

• Lead Development and Project Engineering to optimize 40+ year asset performance and IRR.
• Oversee Grid Integration using modeling to identify high-probability interconnection locations.
• Provide executive oversight, budgeting, analytics, and cross-functional alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Communication to leadership

AI tool design

Project management

Humble leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

P.E. license

Tools

Grid modeling tools

Automated design tools

AI-driven design software

Job description

ROLE OVERVIEW

Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer, you will lead a high-impact department of professionals across three critical pillars: Development Engineering, Project Engineering, and Grid Integration. Your primary objective is designing a technical machine capable of screening and de-risking a 1GW+ annual pipeline to ensure a consistent, high-yield delivery of 300 MW/yr in operational solar and storage assets. You will transform the engineering function from a project-by-project service into a standardized, high-throughput engine. By implementing AI-driven design tools and a Standard Basis of Design (SBoD), you will ensure the team can increase its screening capacity without a linear increase in headcount. You will leverage the Grid Integration team as Pivot’s "reconnaissance unit," utilizing predictive modeling and utility relationship management to identify high-probability interconnection nodes before capital is committed to site acquisition. As a senior leader at a Certified B Corporation, you will provide the Board and investors with data-driven transparency into pipeline health, ensuring that every megawatt built delivers on our commitment to a net-positive impact on our planet and communities.

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 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
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, P.E. license
• 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

EEO STATEMENT

Pivot Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce. We actively work to cultivate an inclusive culture that welcomes, empowers, and enables equitable career growth for employees regardless of background.