Position OverviewThe Principal Consultant is a senior client-facing leader within the Advanced Grid Solutions Team, providing technical and consulting leadership for complex grid modernization initiatives. The role combines deep utility and advanced grid expertise with strategic advisory, solution architecture, systems integration, and delivery leadership to help utilities evaluate, adopt, and integrate emerging grid technologies.
Advanced grid initiatives often involve evolving technologies, requirements, and operating models. The Principal Consultant is expected to work effectively in these environments, bring structure to complex or ambiguous challenges, and develop practical solutions that can be implemented and supported. The role works across utility operations, engineering, IT, OT, technology vendors, and Qualus delivery teams to guide solutions from strategy and architecture through implementation and operational readiness.
Responsibilities
Advanced Grid Solutions:
- Lead advanced grid and emerging utility technology initiatives, including AMI, EMS, DERMS, ADMS, DER integration, and flexible interconnections.
- Bring deep grid-domain experience to help utilities address changing operational needs and modernize the grid.
- Help clients evaluate and apply new technologies to challenges such as DER growth, data center loads, and grid flexibility.
- Take a vendor-agnostic approach, focusing on the technologies and solutions that best fit the client’s needs.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance across complex utility programs and client engagements.
System Integration, Architecture & Project Delivery:
- Lead technical delivery of large, complex grid modernization and systems integration projects.
- Provide solution architecture expertise, turning utility business and operational needs into practical solutions that can be implemented and supported.
- Apply strong systems architecture practices to determine how systems, interfaces, data, and technologies should work together.
- Develop pragmatic architectures based on experience with what works in real-world utility environments.
- Lead solution design and integration across AMI, EMS, DERMS, ADMS, SCADA, GIS, historians, enterprise systems, and other grid technologies.
- Guide key architecture and design decisions across clients, vendors, and Qualus delivery teams.
- Provide technical leadership from early design through integration, testing, deployment, and operational readiness.
Innovation, AI, and R&D:
- Help identify and develop new solutions for emerging utility and grid challenges.
- Lead and support R&D initiatives involving new technologies, operating models, and industry needs.
- Support research and demonstration projects in areas such as data center loads, flexible interconnections, and DER orchestration.
- Explore practical uses of AI and advanced analytics within grid operations and project delivery.
- Work with research organizations, utilities, vendors, and broader Qualus teams to develop and test new ideas.
- Help turn successful research, pilots, and demonstrations into practical solutions that can be applied on client projects.
Organization Development and Growth:
- Help grow the Advanced Grid Solutions organization, including its capabilities, services, people, and market presence.
- Build solution architecture as a core capability through mentoring, design reviews, proven approaches, and knowledge sharing.
- Mentor and develop consultants in grid technologies, architecture, systems integration, and solution delivery.
- Capture proven architectures, approaches, tools, and lessons learned for reuse across projects.
- Support recruiting and development of the technical talent needed to grow the practice.
- Contribute to proposals, client pursuits, solution development, and new service offerings.
- Build strong relationships across clients, technology vendors, research organizations, and the broader utility industry.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years of experience supporting electric utility operational and advanced grid technologies, including AMI/MDM, DERMS, ADMS, SCADA, EMS, or related systems.
- Within those 10 years, a minimum of 5 years of consulting, systems integration, or professional services experience supporting electric utilities.
- Experience with large-scale grid modernization, systems integration, or utility technology implementation projects.
- Experience applying solution or systems architecture practices within complex utility environments.
- Experience should have been obtained through one or more of the following:
- Electric utility consulting or systems integration.
- Utility software vendor implementation, engineering, solution architecture, product management, or professional services.
- Electric utility engineering, operations, OT, transmission/distribution, or control center organizations.
- Advanced grid, DER, grid modernization, research, or emerging technology programs.
Benefits & CompensationQualus offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, Retirement Savings Plans (including employer matching where applicable), Flexible Spending and/or Health Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, and Company Holidays. Benefits offerings may vary based on position, work location, and eligibility requirements. The compensation range for this position is provided in accordance with applicable laws and market practices. The final base salary offered may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, internal equity, performance, and business needs. Compensation ranges are subject to change at the Company's discretion and as permitted by applicable law.
