Director, Grid Interconnection Engineering

Nexamp is seeking a Director of Grid Interconnection Engineering in Chicago, IL, to lead interconnection projects for Distributed Generation and Utility-Scale systems. Responsibilities include managing a team, overseeing the interconnection process, developing SOPs, and providing strategic input to various teams. The role requires strong technical expertise and collaboration with stakeholders to enhance renewable energy interconnectivity. This position is hybrid, involving both remote and in-office work.
Do you want to be a part of the clean energy movement? Are you passionate about improving our environment for this generation and those to follow? Are you ready to take on new challenges and collaborate with a future-focused team leading the way into new markets? Join Nexamp!

This is where you can learn from industry leaders and become one yourself. It's fast-paced, mission-based work that challenges the status quo. Be on the team that's changing the world.

What we're looking for:

We are seeking a Director, Grid Interconnection, tasked with helping craft, facilitate, and implement the strategic vision for the future of Distributed Generation (DG) and Utility-Scale (US) interconnections for the organization supporting projects in the Midwest and the West Coast. You will accomplish this through your technical expertise, innovative ideas, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Critical to success will be establishing personal relationships with the key proponents of renewable energy interconnectivity in our current and future markets. In addition to facilitating organizational interconnection objectives, you will be a key technical subject matter expert for interconnection grid-enhancing technologies to disrupt the utility marketplace and create enterprise value.

You will work hybrid out of Chicago, IL, and will report to the VP, Grid Integration.

What you'll do:
• Lead a multi-level team of interconnection engineers and interconnection coordinators, designing and managing a portfolio of utility interconnection applications from initial submission through project closeout across multiple states and markets.
• Own and lead all aspects of the interconnection process for community solar, storage, and utility-scale DERs to the distribution system, including pre-screen applications, impact studies, facility studies, cluster studies, ISO transmission studies, Interconnection Service Agreements, and final project close-out and PTO/ATI.
• Develop department SOPs, workflows, design standards, and internal processes, as well as manage relationships with internal customers and external resources.
• Independently set priorities, allocate resources, and make complex technical and commercial decisions, elevating to senior management when necessary.
• Provide strategic, market, commercial, and technical input to the Development, Engineering, and Construction teams regarding the development, design, grid integration, and interconnection of the company's project pipeline.
• Initiate utility dispute proceedings and engage with utility leadership to manage utility performance to tariff deadlines.
• Manage the department strategy for enabling Nexamp's growth through resource planning, hiring, and 3rd party engineering support, including consultants performing load-flow, flicker, and other power system studies.
• Leading a culture of operational excellence, including workforce management, setting performance goals, identifying training/development needs, providing timely coaching and feedback, and ensuring effective achievement of organizational goals.
• Manage and train junior engineers in performing electrical designs as well as reviewing and analyzing utility pre-screen reports, System Impact Studies, and ISAs.
• Support the VP of Grid Integration in the development and implementation of tactical and strategic action plans related to interconnection project execution.
• Integrate with Grid Integration and coordinate with Policy as a technical expert in regulatory policy to implement the organizational grid integration strategy in state and wholesale markets.
• Work with Grid Integration and business development to shape organizational watch markets by proactive engagement in distilling the interconnection process, means, and methods; this will involve early-stage market optimization and intervention in regulatory proceedings to achieve favorable outcomes, where and when necessary.
• Collaborate with Industry Groups and serve as Nexamp's lead in technical and regulatory working groups to push for Grid Enhancing Technology (GET) initiatives highlighted by successful pilot programs that highlight cost savings and reliability improvements.
• Serve as interconnection subject matter in policy venues, including drafting comments and providing testimony in legislative and regulatory settings to influence interconnection policy, in concert with Regional Policy Directors.
• Work with Grid Integration to develop predictive interconnection tools for internal stakeholders to forecast grid constraints, interconnection costs, and timelines.
• Assist Grid Integration to build data dashboards to share project status, interconnection progress, and grid readiness with internal and external stakeholders.
• Thought leader in the interconnection space and will be a voice to drive organizational strategy at the industry level.

What you'll bring:
• 8+ years of renewable energy interconnection/engineering experience.
• 8+ years of cross-functional project or program leadership.
• 4+ years of policy adjacency.
• Technical (Engineering, Operations Management, Mathematics, Science) Master's Degree from an accredited university is preferred.
• DG and utility-scale operational experience is preferred.
• Strategic planning and implementation is preferred.
• Policy and/or legal experience is preferred.
• Experienced or certified in Quality or Process Excellence methodologies is preferred.
• Professional Engineer Licensure is preferred.
• Commitment to Nexamp's mission and have a passion for solving tomorrow's climate crisis today.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively communicating information, ideas, and perspectives with people inside and beyond your organization.
• Experience in showcasing initiative to make improvements to current work, processes, products, and services across the organization. We value accountability and an ownership mentality.
• Ability to ask appropriate questions, analyze data, identify the root causes of problems, and present creative solutions.
• Expertise in building strong internal and external relationships with customers and stakeholders, instilling trust and loyalty across the industry.
• Eagerness to develop a fundamental understanding of how Nexamp operates and then apply that knowledge effectively to inform business decisions. Previous experience engaging and inspiring teams to excel while focusing on the growth and well-being of team members (People Leaders Only
• - remove if not).

If you don't meet 100% of the above qualifications, but see yourself contributing, please apply.

At Nexamp, our mission is to build the future of energy so it is clean, simple, and accessible for all. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. By encouraging a culture where ideas and decisions come from all people, we believe it will help us grow, innovate, and be a part of environmental and social change.

You'll love working here because:

Not only will you get to take part in meaningful work and have the chance to change the world alongside innovative, dedicated, and motivated peers, but you will also have access to all the benefits that Nexamp offers! This includes our competitive compensation package; a 401(k) employer-match; health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one; flexible paid time off and holiday PTO; commuter benefits, and cell phone reimbursement. We have headquarters in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL, in addition to growing offices nationwide. We provide healthy snacks, coffee, service days and other volunteer opportunities, company outings, and more!

Compensation

The reasonably estimated salary for this role at Nexamp ranges from $180,000 - $215,000. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance (for example, annual bonus programs based on individual and company performance, non-annual sales incentive plans, or other non-annual incentive plans). Additionally, you may be eligible to participate in the Company's stock option plan. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but is not limited to, skills and qualifications, internal equity, performance, and geographic location.

Nexamp's People team manages all aspects of recruitment and hiring within our organization. We want to inform third-party recruiters, staffing firms, and related agencies that Nexamp does not accept unsolicited resumes. Resumes will only be considered from these entities if a signed agreement is in place and the People team explicitly authorizes external recruiting assistance for a specific position. Any unsolicited resumes received will be deemed the property of Nexamp. We want to emphasize that Nexamp is not liable for any fees associated with unsolicited resumes.