Associate, Project Development

Clearway Energy • Denver, CO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate, Project Development reports to the Director, Project Development and supports and directly manages development of projects across Clearway Energy Group’s West region, including California, Hawaii, and the Desert Southwest. The role contributes to the development and execution of the construction of the company’s solar, wind, and storage project pipeline, working with Business Development, Origination, Engineering, Project Finance, and Construction teams throughout the project lifecycle—from origination through commissioning and commercial operation.

The Associate manages or supports utility-scale renewable energy projects across siting, permitting, design, interconnection, transmission, contracting, financing, and handover to construction. The role also evaluates development opportunities and acquisitions, coordinates with internal teams and external partners, maintains project budgets and schedules, and contributes to project marketing and financing. Candidates should bring renewable energy project development experience, including land and real estate, regulatory and environmental permitting, interconnection, transmission, power marketing, EPC engagement, and project financing.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, at least two years of applicable U.S. renewable energy industry experience, and the ability to travel more than 25% as required to projects in the West region. The role is hybrid, with office-based employees working in person Tuesday through Thursday. The salary range across U.S. locations is $120,000–$160,000, and the position is eligible for an annual cash bonus subject to personal and company performance goals. Employment authorization sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or a related field.
• At least two 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.
• Ability to travel as required to projects within Clearway’s West Region; travel is more than 25%.
• Experience with land development, including landowner engagement and negotiation or contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land-use and water restrictions, ALTA surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements.
• Ability to think critically and manage or support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing project schedules and budgets, and understanding of key commercial and financial project value levers.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Manage and support development of large-scale renewable energy projects from initial proposal and siting through permitting, design, interconnection, approval, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.
• Identify and implement alternative project development approaches to reduce permitting risk, optimize schedules, or increase project value.
• Support or manage due diligence for development-stage projects and portfolio acquisitions, comparing and prioritizing opportunities using project metrics.
• Administer development services agreements with local and regional partners and manage networks of local stakeholders and technical consultants.
• Collaborate with the Land Acquisition team on land campaigns to secure site control for generation and interconnection facilities.
• Work 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 work needed to secure project transmission.
• Support negotiation and diligence of project contracts and agreements, including PPAs, GIAs, Turbine Supply Agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Support financing diligence to obtain cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments before construction and at term conversion.
• Coordinate with Origination on marketing development-stage projects for power purchase and offtake agreements, including responding 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 current knowledge of market drivers and trends to support proactive development and early positioning.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision care.
• Health savings accounts with company contributions.
• Health and dependent-care flexible spending accounts.
• 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.
• Annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals.

What This Job Offers

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