Project Development Associate

Renewable America is hiring a Project Development Associate in San Jose, CA, to support solar plus storage projects. Responsibilities include project development, environmental compliance, technical design, and managing operational performance. The ideal candidate should be motivated, eager to learn, and passionate about renewable energy, assisting in due diligence, permitting processes, and collaboration across teams to ensure project success.
About Renewable America:

Renewable America is committed to investing in end-to-end development of local small utility-scale solar+storage and multi-customer community microgrids projects. Through this infrastructure improvement, we provide emergency power to vulnerable populations and critical facilities during grid outages. Dispatchable renewable energy can transform the traditional grid through decentralized generation and create Local Resiliency. Our vision is to lead the way to the future of Community Microgrids by developing projects in strategic locations while minimizing possible environmental impacts on the land.

Our extensive services include engineering, financing, construction, and maintenance. With every project, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our communities with economic development and renewable energy access. Renewable America has over 320 megawatts (MWdc) of solar and 680 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage projects under development throughout California. Our projects are strategically located to provide maximum benefit to the region, while also meeting the community’s demand needs.

Scope of Job:

Renewable America is seeking a motivated and dynamic Development Associate to join our team. This role combines project development, interconnection, environmental compliance, and engineering support, contributing to the development of solar plus storage projects. The ideal candidate will assist with due diligence, project pricing, permitting processes, and technical design tasks. Additionally, you will manage operational asset performance, ensuring the smooth operation of systems. We are looking for someone eager to learn quickly, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. A passion for renewable energy is essential.

Responsibilities:
• Assist in preparing preliminary PV designs, system layouts, and refining single-line diagrams.
• Simulate annual solar energy production using specialized software.
• Coordinate with the development team on project pricing, competitive analysis, and the offtake strategy.
• Assist in preparing, submitting, and monitoring the progress of interconnection applications and ensuring compliance with permitting requirements.
• Collaborate with land acquisition, engineering, finance, and environmental teams to align project timelines and permitting schedules.
• Support the selection and management of environmental consultants to conduct studies and prepare reports for city, county, and state permit approvals.
• Monitor permitting applications, ensuring compliance with regulations and identifying key permitting issues that may affect project timelines.
• Independently manage operational asset performance, responding to system alerts to minimize downtime and optimize operations.
• Participate in due diligence for new projects by identifying potential permitting challenges, costs, and proposing solutions.
• Provide updates to leadership on permitting status and assist in the preparation of RFO/RFP bids.
• Work with the Origination & Power Marketing Manager to support pricing, contract negotiations, and communication with stakeholders to secure favorable contracts.
• Stay informed about changing technologies, regulations, and trends influencing the renewable energy market, providing proactive feedback to the development team.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Mathematics, Business, or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in US power finance, trading, origination, sales & marketing, renewable energy project development, or comparable experience.
• Previous experience supporting city/county/state permitting for renewable energy projects and knowledge of environmental compliance processes is preferred.
• Proficiency with software tools for project tracking and permitting compliance (e.g., ARCGIS, AUTOCAD, PVSYST).
• Experience in solar plus storage projects, interconnection, and operational asset management is highly desirable.

Education/Experience:
• Requires a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Mathematics, Business, or similar discipline
• 1-3 years of experience in US power finance, trading, origination, sales & marketing, or comparable experience is required. Experience supporting city/county/state permitting for renewable energy projects, with knowledge of environmental compliance processes.
• Previous experience in project development or renewable energy marketing is preferred.
• Strong understanding of permitting regulations such as CEQA and related environmental regulations for solar energy projects.
• Knowledge of solar and storage project pricing, competitive analysis, and offtake structures is a plus.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with software tools for project tracking and permitting compliance (specific tools may be listed as needed).

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
• Strong understanding of permitting regulations, such as CEQA and environmental regulations for solar energy projects.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ability to maintain complex financial models.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Strong work ethic, detail-oriented, and able to quickly adapt to new tasks and dynamic circumstances.
• Commercial mindset with strong prioritization and problem-solving skills.
• Motivated, energetic, and willing to learn new software tools and systems as needed.