Senior Interconnection Engineer

The Senior Interconnection Engineer is responsible for managing solar, storage and hybrid projects through the RTO/utility interconnection process through all stages of the project life cycle. This role requires an engineer with experience managing Generation Interconnection projects through multiple utility and RTO interconnection processes. This is a multi-faceted role that offers a lot of growth opportunity to offer strategic direction to a rapidly growing team and renewable pipeline for Sol Systems. The candidate will report to the Sr. Director, Generator Interconnection and be an integral member of the Generation Interconnection vertical within the utility scale development team, assisting in training and developing other members of the organization.

Sol Systems is a leading solar energy firm based in Washington, DC, dedicated to building a more sustainable future. Founded in 2008, the company deploys renewable energy infrastructure across the United States, with a specific focus on ensuring that these projects have a positive economic impact on the communities in which they operate. The company has financed or developed over $2 billion of solar energy assets to date. We work with some of the largest corporations in the world to achieve a carbon-free and sustainable future. Sol has been founder-lead throughout its 16 years of operations, and is backed by KKR, one of the largest private equity firms in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• This position will work closely with the Origination (Greenfield, M&A), Development Ops, Engineering, Pre-Construction, Construction and Asset Management teams to reach interconnection of the renewable projects
• Conduct injection studies, or manage others, using Tara, Nira, and other tools to advise on ERIS/NRIS system size prior to the IX request and over the course of the study process
• Manage consultants producing interconnection and transmission studies, curtailment and congestion analyses.
• Develop standard operating procedures and conduct internal training for load flow and injection studies including QA/QC.
• Provide interconnection upgrade scope and cost estimating.
• Identify reliability and congestion constraints for FERC jurisdictional projects and develop integrated/alternate solutions to expensive network upgrades.
• Support M&A origination team by reviewing interconnection pre-screen reports, System Impact Studies, Facilities Studies and Generator Interconnection Agreements, and identify possible red flags or fatal flaws
• Perform site visits for interconnection feasibility and grid infrastructure assessment
• Manage a portfolio of utility interconnection applications from initial submission through interconnection approval and modification processes
• Develop, or oversee the development by others, the interconnection request documents including the electrical single line, electrical modeling, and other documentation and for RTO and utility scale PV, BESS, and Hybrid projects
• Review utility impact studies and upgrade estimates to identify cost or time saving measures
• Lead utility and RTO negotiations to minimize network upgrade scope and cost by optimizing system size, proposing alternate or more cost effective HV construction options, implementation of non-wires alternatives, curtailment, and Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET’s)
• Support Development and Construction project teams in managing the HV scope alignment to the interconnection requirements and assist with coordinating with the RTO/utility until the projects is handed over to Asset Management
• Review shop drawings and designs for HV equipment including breakers, transformers, SCADA, and Protection equipment to ensure design meets GIA, RTO, and TO requirements.
• Act as in-house SME in one or more RTO regions regarding IX processes including PJM, MISO, SPP, and ERCOT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering or similar concentration required
• 5+ years of Power engineering experience required
• 5+ years of Generation interconnection required
• 2+ years HV Substation, Protection, and/or Transmission Engineering preferred
• EIT certification required
• PE license preferred
• Strong knowledge of electrical principles, including HV & MV equipment, protection system coordination and relaying principles required
• Working knowledge of interconnection processes and requirements for at least one of the following: MISO, PJM, SPP, ERCOT
• Working knowledge of NERC Planning Standards and compliance
• Knowledge of transmission planning standards and FERC interconnection process is preferred
• Strong knowledge of industry standard design codes such as National Electric Safety Code (NESC), National Electric Code (NEC), IEEE 1547, IEEE 2800
• Established relationships with RTO/utility stakeholders preferred
• Previous participation in RTO/utility/state stakeholder working groups preferred
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Able to read, interpret, and capture inaccuracies in generation interconnection reports and challenge the utilities/ RTOs accordingly
• Tara, PSSE, or Power World modeling experience required
• PROMOD, PSCAD, ETAP, AmpCalc or Aspen modeling experience preferred
• AutoCAD software proficiency preferred

Location: The preference for this position is to be based in our Washington, DC office.

Commitment & Compensation: Compensation and title will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Sol Systems provides health insurance, retirement benefits, partial gym reimbursement, transportation benefits, education benefits, paid vacation and federal holidays, plus the opportunity to work in an entrepreneurial environment.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter and salary requirements. Applicants that are missing items from this list will not be considered.

Deadline: We hope to hire for this position immediately and will review applicants on a rolling basis.

Sol Systems is an equal-opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, creed, or other trait. Sol Systems supports and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.