Director, Interconnection

This is a fully remote role for candidates who are based outside of the New York Metropolitan area. For those located in the area, we encourage you to consider our hybrid work arrangement (1-2 days a week in our NYC office). That said, we value flexibility and if you have a different preference, please do not let that deter you from applying – let’s talk about it!

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States or Canada. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any employment-based visas at this time.

Energy storage is the key to unlocking a future where our world is powered by renewable resources. At Convergent Energy and Power, our mission is to make the electrical grid cleaner, more reliable, and less expensive by leveraging state-of-the-art energy storage and distributed generation technologies.

The Director of Interconnection will serve as the lead for the company's interconnection activities from a market and commercial perspective, with primary responsibilities including the evaluation of transmission and distribution tariffs, costs, timelines, designs, and processes for a variety of markets.  This position will participate in the development of the overall strategic plan for both the development team and the broader Convergent business.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and track the project portfolio of interconnection-related studies and tasks, schedules, and follow-up requirements.
• Lead a team of 4-8 Interconnection Engineers, manage their KPIs, growth plans
• Lead continuous improvement of interconnection processes and standards
• Act as the lead point of contact with independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, transmission service providers, and utilities regarding all interconnection activities.
• Lead the information exchange process as it relates to interconnection applications between the pre-construction team, engineering team, and development team to ensure schedule milestones are met
• Identify optimal strategies for state and regional project interconnections based on system impacts and available grid/hosting capacity; develop the best plan for new markets team
• Lead coordination of the completion of all interconnection applications with internal stakeholders, external consultants, and utilities.  Lead the review, analysis, and interpretation of interconnection results.
• Identify, contract, and manage consultants as necessary to support the interconnection process including application deliverables and studies in addition to engineering review of utility schedules and cost estimates.
• Evaluate interconnection system cost upgrades and work with all stakeholders on necessary changes to the project development schedule.
• Perform (internally or externally) power flow simulation analyses to forecast future system conditions to support optimal siting, IA, PPA, financing, and M&A processes
• Provide interconnection information for bid proposals.
• Work with the Development team to identify issues that could impact site selection by reviewing the interconnection queue in utility/ISO regions and provide feedback to the Development team.
• Issue disputes and manage dispute resolution as needed
• Understand interconnection process, timelines, and cost structures for key utilities and ISO's and communicate requirements with the Development, Pre-Construction, and Engineering teams.
• Communicate on a regular basis with manager and team members, including in-person meetings at the NYC headquarters as needed to foster strong collaboration amongst team

Requirements

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. 
• Minimum of 8+ years of industry experience and expertise in generation interconnection and transmission planning, acquired at a large infrastructure developer, electric utility, transmission provider, or energy consultancy. 
• Experience navigating markets such as CAISO, PJM, SPP, ISO-NE, or other RTOs. 
• Firm understanding of AC/DC fundamentals including understanding of three-phase Power systems. 
• Experience with power system software packages such as PSS/e, TARA, Aspen One-Liner 
• Power flow modeling and analysis experience.  
• Ability to comprehend complex Interconnection study reports and communicate project technical and financial impacts. 
• Familiarity with RTO and utility tariffs, business practices, protocols, procedures, and guidelines. 

• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of U.S. power markets, with a focus on solar and battery energy storage interconnections. 
• Extensive knowledge of storage and solar project development, utilities, interconnection, permitting, and contracting. 
• Outstanding research and analytical abilities, adept at synthesizing information and communicating conclusions and recommendations clearly and effectively. 
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with self-motivation, drive, and a proactive approach to creative problem-solving. 

  
Preferred Qualifications 

• Degree specialized in Electrical Engineering  
• PE is preferred. 
• In-depth understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeder, and major substation equipment. 

Benefits

We're dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all our clean energy professionals. We embrace and learn from our diverse backgrounds, encouraging open dialogue and growth. Through resources like our active Employee Resource Groups, DEI Working Group, and comprehensive training and workshops, we're continuing to build a supportive community that celebrates the convergence of our identities.

Our priority is to ensure that every team member feels valued and supported to have a healthy balance between work life and personal life. We believe a full life outside of the office makes for a happier, healthier team. We support that by offering robust benefits such as but not limited to, the following:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer days
• 401K with an employer safe harbor match
• Special Vendor Discounts on programs for:
• Identity theft and fraud prevention

Base Salary Range: $175,000-$190,000; Salary Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience.

We encourage people from minority or marginalized groups to apply. If you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications, but see yourself contributing, please submit an application.

Convergent is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements in the country where we operate. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected]