Underwriter - Energy, Infrastructure, & Project Finance

Celtic Bank; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Life and long-term disability coverage

HSA and FSA plans

Holidays and paid time off

Wellness program including catered meals and onsite gym

Job summary

Celtic Bank is seeking an experienced underwriter for its Energy, Infrastructure, & Project Finance department in Salt Lake City, Utah. The role involves leading the underwriting process for complex loans and investments in energy and infrastructure projects across the nation.

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment while demonstrating a deep understanding of credit assessment and financial modeling.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in project finance underwriting.
• Ability to develop complex financial models and credit analyses.
• Strong understanding of energy and infrastructure sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the underwriting process for complex energy and project finance loans.
• Develop and analyze financial models to evaluate project cash flows.
• Prepare credit memoranda for loan committee review.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Understanding of commercial banking credit policies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or related field

Tools

Financial modeling software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Energy, Infrastructure, & Project Finance underwriter is responsible for leading all aspects of the underwriting process for complex energy, infrastructure and project finance loans and investments, including Shared National Credits (SNC). This role independently assesses credit risk to ensure transactions align with the organization’s credit standards, internal policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong judgment, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. This position involves in‑depth analysis of financial models, contracts, due diligence materials and engineering reports to develop well‑supported credit recommendations for energy and infrastructure projects nationwide.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead the end‑to‑end underwriting process for energy, infrastructure and project finance transactions, including loans, tax equity investments and syndicated facilities.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, internal origination teams and third‑party providers to obtain all information necessary for a complete and accurate credit assessment.
• Develop, analyze and review complex financial models and projections to evaluate project cash flows, sensitivities and key risks.
• Underwrite and support the ongoing servicing of Shared National Credit (SNC) loans, working alongside agent banks and participating lenders.
• Perform independent credit analysis, annual reviews, amendments, waivers and servicing actions for SNC transactions in accordance with intercreditor agreements and regulatory expectations.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external lender groups to support credit approvals, servicing actions and portfolio monitoring for SNC exposures.
• Review agent bank credit packages, financial models and reporting to assess ongoing performance and emerging risks within SNC portfolios.
• Perform comprehensive credit analysis by reviewing financial statements, project contracts, legal documentation and third‑party reports to assess project viability through underwriting and closing.
• Prepare clear, well‑reasoned credit memoranda for loan committee review, outlining transaction structure, key risks, mitigants and recommendations.
• Conduct market, industry and company research to support underwriting assumptions and credit conclusions.
• Review and interpret complex legal and structured finance documents related to energy, infrastructure and project finance transactions.
• Independently underwrite syndicated loans for both new originations and ongoing servicing actions.
• Lead credit analysis for early‑stage development opportunities and complex deal structures.
• Take primary responsibility for portfolio underwriting assignments involving multiple common facilities.
• Support ongoing portfolio management activities and serve as a subject‑matter resource for the team.
• Review the work of other underwriters for accuracy, completeness and adherence to credit standards.
• Lead and participate in cross‑functional initiatives focused on process improvement, training and knowledge sharing.
• Develop working knowledge of USDA programs and regulations under the OneRD Initiative, with particular emphasis on REAP and B&I eligibility, as applicable to energy and infrastructure projects.
• Communicate effectively and professionally across multiple channels with internal teams, clients and third‑party vendors.
• Maintain a positive, professional demeanor when managing deadlines, changes and transaction challenges.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and evolving business needs.
• Demonstrated professionalism and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and related business systems.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to apply new information to both current and future decision‑making.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong interest in energy, infrastructure and project finance transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
• Deep understanding of commercial banking credit policies, loan structuring and cash flow analysis.
• Advanced working knowledge of accounting principles, including balance sheet, income statement and cash flow analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to develop expert‑level proficiency in specialized financial products.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Life and long‑term disability coverage
• HSA and FSA plans
• Holidays and paid time off
• Robust wellness program (catered meals, lunch and learns and onsite gym)

Physical and Other Requirements

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Stationary Work: the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to type, handle documents and perform other office‑related duties. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Mobility: the employee in this position needs to occasionally move between work sites and inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Communicate: the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and will frequently communicate with others. Must be able to read, write and understand fluent English.
• Work Model: the employee in this position will work either a fully onsite, hybrid or remote work model. All employees, regardless of location, may be required to travel to the Salt Lake City office for mandatory company meetings, events or related occasions.
  • Utah‑based employees: hybrid work schedule available after initial training period in our Salt Lake City, Utah office – department and job requirements will determine eligibility.
  • Out of state employees: full remote work schedule available.