Associate, Project Development

Clearway Energy • San Diego, CA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Project Development, the Associate supports and directly manages development of projects across Clearway Energy Group’s West region, including California, Hawaii, and the Desert Southwest. The role is part of the regional team responsible for developing and executing construction of the company’s solar, wind, and storage pipeline. It works with Business Development, Origination, Engineering, Project Finance, and Construction teams across the full project lifecycle, from origination through commissioning and commercial operation.

The position requires renewable energy project development experience across areas including project siting, land and real estate, regulatory and environmental permitting, interconnection, transmission, and power marketing. The Associate also engages with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) processes and project financing. Experience in CAISO and WECC power and transmission markets is preferred.

The role is based within Clearway’s flexible, relationship-oriented working model. Corporate new hires are prioritized near company offices, and office-based employees work together in person Tuesday through Thursday. The position requires travel to projects within Clearway’s West Region as needed, at a level exceeding 25%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of applicable experience in the U.S. renewable energy industry, with direct experience and competence in full-lifecycle development of utility-scale solar and/or wind projects.
• Understanding of and ability to navigate complex permitting pathways for energy projects in the western United States.
• Experience and familiarity with land development, including landowner engagement and negotiation or contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land use and water restrictions, ALTA land surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements.
• Ability to travel as required to projects within Clearway’s West Region; travel is greater than 25%.
• Strong critical-thinking skills and ability to manage or support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing project schedules and budgets, and understanding key project value levers, including commercial and financial factors.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced study in business, finance, law, environmental science, or public policy.
• Experience or knowledge of governmental mandates, environmental regulations, or customer and market signals affecting or facilitating renewable project development in Clearway’s West Region.
• Battery storage experience.
• Knowledge of CAISO and/or WECC power and transmission markets.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support development of large-scale renewable energy projects from proposal and siting through permitting, design, interconnection, approvals, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.
• Identify and implement development approaches that reduce permitting risk, optimize schedules, or create project value.
• Support or manage due diligence on development-stage projects and portfolio acquisitions, comparing and prioritizing opportunities using project metrics.
• Administer development services agreements with local and regional development partners and manage networks of local stakeholders, including technical consultants, surveyors, and land professionals.
• Work with the Land Acquisition team on land campaigns to secure site control for generation and interconnection facilities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams and external consultants to evaluate site layouts, constraints, technology options, schedules, interconnection applications, and studies.
• Coordinate and provide input to interconnection requests, load-flow and congestion studies, and other transmission-related work.
• Support negotiation and diligence of project contracts and agreements, including PPAs, GIAs, Turbine Supply Agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Support project financing diligence to obtain cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments before construction and at term conversion.
• Coordinate with the Origination team on marketing development-stage projects for power purchase and offtake agreements, including responses to RFPs.
• Create and manage project budgets and schedules, and navigate internal stage-gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Prepare and present materials about project development opportunities to management.
• Maintain industry relationships and knowledge of market drivers and trends to support proactive development and early positioning.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (PTO).
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts (HSAs) with company contributions.
• Health and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• Commuter benefits.
• Relocation assistance.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Fertility programs.
• Adoption assistance.
• Parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.
• Company-provided meals and events for office-based employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level