The Role
We are seeking an experienced, analytically strong grid and interconnection professional to own SPG's grid and interconnection analytics across DG solar, front-of-meter BESS, and utility-scale storage. Working closely with the Strategy and Development teams, you will build and run the data, screening tools, and analysis that tell us where the grid can take our projects, what it will cost, and how long it will take, and you will carry that work through utility engagement and the interconnection process. This role is instrumental in driving the company's strategic growth.
It involves screening and prioritizing viable points of interconnection (POIs), securing queue positions and advancing applications through close coordination with utilities and internal engineering teams, and translating interconnection costs, timelines, and operating limits (e.g., export and charging limits) into inputs for project valuation and the business case for solar and co-located or standalone BESS.
The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and data skills with a solid grounding in power systems and a commercial mindset. They can synthesize hosting-capacity data, queue data, utility study results, and market dynamics into clear, decision-ready recommendations, and they are comfortable leading utility and ISO/RTO engagement and managing interconnection applications from pre-application through to an executed agreement.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Identify regions within utility territories with available hosting capacity, charging (load) headroom, and favorable queue conditions for generation and BESS, coupled or standalone. Run screening-level power-flow and hosting-capacity analyses on distribution and sub-transmission networks, and scope and manage utility or consultant studies when they are needed.
- Analyze all available grid data and utility filings to identify regions suitable for solar and BESS development and land acquisition campaigns (e.g., hosting-capacity maps and data services, IX application throughput, interconnection queues and queue performance reports, trackers, pre-apps, integrated resource plans, etc.).
- Screen candidate POIs (substations, feeders, and line taps, including those identified in the field by the land acquisition team), prepare and submit pre-applications and applications, and advise the strategy, project development, and land acquisition teams regarding interconnection viability at prospective sites, including an interconnection go/no-go recommendation within each site's due-diligence period.
- Review and manage interconnection and study agreements, tracking deposits, milestones, and cost responsibility, and provide information to de-risk projects and reduce costs.
- Identify and propose flexible interconnection arrangements to utilities/grid operators (e.g., export or charging limits, curtailment, DC-coupled configurations, adding storage to queued solar) that enable larger capacity project development with less expensive upgrades.
- Build and own relationships with utility interconnection staff and liaise with them to develop creative solutions and secure favorable access to the grid.
- Build and maintain SPG's interconnection analytics tools: automated pulls of utility hosting-capacity and queue data, GIS maps and displays of distribution grid status and dynamics, and the interconnection inputs to SPG's site scorecard and project tracking boards (monday.com).
- Interpret technical studies provided by utilities and advise on potential project downsizing to secure quick and inexpensive access to the grid.
- Build and maintain SPG's interconnection cost and timeline benchmarks (upgrade $/kW, estimate accuracy by study stage, queue-to-agreement durations, withdrawal rates) to estimate contingent upgrade exposure from projects ahead in the queue and to set cost ranges by interconnection stage.
- Assess the interconnection requirements of battery energy storage, co-located with solar or standalone (e.g., charging studies, import limits, operating modes, transfer trip and protection), and quantify their impact on the business case.
- Translate interconnection costs, schedules, and design changes into inputs for project financial models, and assess their impact on the financial viability and value of a project at NTP.
- Advise on strategic decisions for interconnection projects and new-market entry, including cost allocation, congestion risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Participate in interconnection working groups hosted by utilities and public utility commissions, track interconnection rule changes and proceedings (e.g., state interconnection rules, PJM and MISO queue reforms, net-metering dockets), and summarize their impact for SPG's strategy.
- Own the accuracy of interconnection data across SPG's systems and provide regular reporting on project-specific interconnection information to inform project schedules, budgets, and key decision-making.
What Success Looks Like
- First 6 months: automated hosting-capacity and queue screens running for SPG's priority utilities, and every active site carrying a current interconnection assessment.
- First 12 months: establish interconnection cost and timeline benchmarks to inform siting and go/no-go decisions, develop a repeatable screening playbook for expansion into new markets, and assume full ownership of the interconnection process.
- Ongoing: the Strategy and Development teams can see each site's interconnection status, cost range, and next milestone without asking.
Qualifications
- 4-6 years' experience in interconnection, distribution or transmission planning, or grid analytics for solar and/or BESS (developer, utility, consultant, or ISO/RTO), including hands-on management of interconnection applications through the study and agreement stages.
- University degree in Electrical Engineering (power systems preferred), Energy Systems, or a related quantitative field. PE, P.Eng., or EIT is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to combine strong analytical and technical competence with solid commercial acumen to interpret grid studies and interconnection data, including opportunities for co-located or standalone BESS, and synthesize these inputs into clear, compelling business cases.
- Working knowledge of state distribution interconnection rules (e.g., Illinois, Virginia) and of PJM and MISO interconnection processes under FERC rules; ISO-NE and non-RTO (e.g., Southeast) experience is a plus.
- Experience working with investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, municipal utilities, independent system operators, regional transmission operators, and public utility commissions in the United States is preferable.
- Experience working closely with engineers and other technical teams, with an understanding of technical requirements and the project development cycle.
- Experience with BESS interconnection (charging and import limits, operating modes) and utility-scale interconnection processes.
- Understanding of hosting-capacity methods, cluster studies, flexible interconnection, curtailment, and generation shifting.
- Thorough understanding of technical considerations and electrical theory, paired with strong social skills and the ability to explain complicated technical matters to laypersons.
- Proficiency with grid modeling and simulation tools (e.g., CYME, Synergi, OpenDSS, PSS/E, PowerFactory, or similar) to run screening analyses and critically review utility study results.
- Strong data skills: Python (e.g., pandas, working with APIs) and/or SQL and advanced Excel required; Power BI or similar is a plus. Exposure to financial models for PV and BESS is a plus.
- Comfortable navigating utility interconnection portals and hosting-capacity maps, including working with the underlying GIS data in QGIS or ArcGIS.
- Proven ability to own a function with limited supervision, structure ambiguous problems, document and verify data sources, and use AI tools and automation to build repeatable analyses. An established network of utility interconnection contacts in PJM and/or MISO is a plus.
- Willingness and ability to travel occasionally in the United States and Canada to support project development activities.
How to Apply
Qualified applicants are invited to apply via our BambooHR portal by October 31, 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No agency submissions, please.
