Senior Interconnection Engineer

This is a fully remote role for candidates who are based outside of the New York Metropolitan area. For those located in the area, we encourage you to consider our hybrid work arrangement (1-2 days a week in our NYC office). That said, we value flexibility and if you have a different preference, please do not let that deter you from applying – let’s talk about it!

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States or Canada. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment-based visas at this time.

Energy storage is the key to unlocking a future where our world is powered by renewable resources. At Convergent Energy and Power, our mission is to make the electrical grid cleaner, more reliable, and less expensive by leveraging state-of-the-art energy storage and distributed generation technologies.

The Senior Interconnection Engineer will play a crucial role in navigating the interconnection process and technical intricacies of each project, while researching and analyzing interconnection strategies for both front-of-the-meter (FTM) and behind-the-meter (BTM) projects across various Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) regions, including state incentive programs and wholesale market participation. This position will evaluate transmission and distribution tariffs, costs, timelines, and processes across various utilities and markets.

What You’ll Do

• Understand all interconnection requirements, processes, study phases, timelines, and tariff rules for the relevant RTO/ISO. 

• Manage and track the project portfolio of interconnection-related studies, applications, and follow-up requirements. 

• Serve as the primary point of contact and the technical lead with ISOs, RTOs, transmission service providers, and utilities for all interconnection activities. 

• Lead the technical information exchange between the engineering and development teams to ensure the timely processing of interconnection applications and devise optimal strategies. 

• Identify optimal interconnection strategies based on system impact study reports and grid/hosting capacity; develop the best interconnection plan. 

• Support negotiations of technical terms of interconnection agreements. 

• Coordinate the completion of all interconnection applications with internal stakeholders, external consultants, utilities, and other external stakeholders.  

• Perform peer-review of engineering designs and technical data in preparation of interconnection application packages. 

• Lead the review, analysis, and interpretation of interconnection results; provide technical insights and guidance. 

• Identify, contract, and manage consultants as necessary to support the interconnection process including injection analysis, technical design, and other application deliverables in addition to engineering review of utility schedules and cost estimates.  

• Evaluate interconnection system cost upgrades and work with all stakeholders on necessary adjustments of the project development schedule. 

• Lead data analyses to forecast future system conditions for optimal siting, IA, PPA, financing, and M&A processes. 

• Provide interconnection process overview and timelines related to various markets for bid proposals. 

• Work with the Development team to identify site selection issues by reviewing interconnection queues and providing feedback. 

• Understand interconnection process, timelines, and cost structures for key utilities and ISO's and communicate requirements with the Development and Engineering teams. 

• Provide interconnection subject matter expertise in support of project financings and project hand-offs to the Project Execution team. 

• Communicate on a regular basis with manager and team members, including in-person meetings at the NYC headquarters as needed to foster strong collaboration amongst the team. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering 

• Minimum 6+ years’ experience with transmission and distribution planning, managing the interconnection of renewable energy power facilities, with experience in the PJM, NYISO and ISO-NE markets.  

• Firm understanding of AC/DC fundamentals including understanding of three-phase Power systems. 

• Power flow modeling and analysis experience.  

• Ability to comprehend complex Interconnection study reports and communicate project technical and financial impacts.  

• Familiarity with RTO and utility tariffs, business practices, protocols, procedures, and guidelines. 

• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of U.S. power markets, with a focus on solar and battery energy storage interconnections. 

• Extensive knowledge of storage and solar project development, utilities, interconnection, permitting, and contracting. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Degree specialized in Electrical Engineering. 

• PE is preferred. 

• Experience with power system software packages such as PSS/e, TARA, Aspen One-Liner, is preferred. 

• In-depth understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment. 

Benefits

We're dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all our clean energy professionals. We embrace and learn from our diverse backgrounds, encouraging open dialogue and growth. Through resources like our active Employee Resource Groups, DEI Working Group, and comprehensive training and workshops, we're continuing to build a supportive community that celebrates the convergence of our identities.

Our priority is to ensure that every team member feels valued and supported to have a healthy balance between work life and personal life. We believe a full life outside of the office makes for a happier, healthier team. We support that by offering robust benefits such as but not limited to, the following:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer days
• 401K with an employer safe harbor match
• Special Vendor Discounts on programs for:
• Identity theft and fraud prevention

Base Salary Range: $130,000-175,000; Salary Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience.

We encourage people from minority or marginalized groups to apply. If you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications, but see yourself contributing, please submit an application.

Convergent is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements in the country where we operate. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to talent@convergentep.com

Last updated on Jul 23, 2024