Director, Power Innovation

SB Energy•San Diego, CA

6d•$190,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Director, Power Innovation will build and lead SB Energy’s innovation program for its Power Generation business, focused on utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and other renewable power and grid-support technologies for data centers. The role will develop the innovation strategy and multi-year roadmap, manage a disciplined portfolio and stage-gate process, and lead technology scouting, diligence, pilots, validation, and scale-up. Working across Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Grid Integration, Operations, Asset Management, Commercial, and Finance, the Director will advance innovations that improve safety, schedule, capital cost, energy yield, availability, reliability, lifecycle value, and project competitiveness. The position will coordinate with the Data Center Innovation Lead on shared power solutions while retaining ownership of renewable-generation innovation. The position requires up to 25% domestic and international travel to company offices, project sites, operating assets, supplier and partner facilities, conferences, and pilot or test locations as needed. Listed work locations include the Denver office, headquarters in Redwood City, Phoenix office, remote, and San Diego office; the posting also describes the position as on-site and notes hybrid office arrangements among company benefits.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive experience in power and energy engineering, technology, product development, construction, operations, or innovation, including substantial experience with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technology, pilot, product-development, or continuous-improvement programs, with accountability for budgets, decisions, schedules, and measurable business outcomes.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Materials, Industrial, or Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
Demonstrated record of moving complex innovations from problem definition and concept development through pilot, validation, standardization, and repeatable deployment on large-scale energy projects or operating assets.
Deep expertise in either utility-scale solar PV or BESS and working knowledge of both, including major equipment, plant architecture, controls, construction, commissioning, performance, reliability, and lifecycle considerations.
Expertise in grid interconnection, plant controls, SCADA/EMS, grid-code compliance, hybrid renewable systems, and grid-support capabilities such as voltage, frequency, and grid-forming functions.
Strong capability in technical and commercial diligence, energy-production and financial modeling, LCOE and total-cost-of-ownership analysis, business-case development, and benefits realization.
Experience evaluating OEMs, suppliers, startups, and emerging technologies, including bankability, warranties, product qualification, supply-chain readiness, and implementation risk.
Strong program management, executive communication, influence, and change-leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple pilots and work effectively across technical, commercial, project, and operating teams.

Nice To Haves

Advanced technical degree, MBA, and/or Professional Engineer license.
Experience with long-duration energy storage, advanced geothermal, hybrid renewable systems, or other emerging renewable and grid-support technologies.

Responsibilities

Define and maintain the multi-year innovation roadmap for utility-scale power generation technologies, aligned with corporate objectives and the company business plan.
Build and manage a balanced portfolio of core, adjacent, and transformational initiatives; prioritize opportunities and recommend funding, sequencing, resources, and stop, continue, or scale decisions.
Partner with relevant teams to identify recurring problems, unmet needs, and value-creation opportunities, and translate them into focused innovation challenges.
Identify, benchmark, and qualify technologies and partners across solar modules, trackers, inverters and power electronics, BESS cells and systems, controls and EMS/SCADA, thermal and fire-safety systems, long-duration storage, grid-forming capability, and other advanced renewable technologies.
Evaluate opportunities across technical, operational, constructability, safety, code and regulatory, cybersecurity, environmental, commercial, financial, supply-chain, bankability, warranty, and implementation considerations; develop production, total-cost-of-ownership, LCOE, and return-on-investment analyses as appropriate.
Prepare stage-gate submissions and manage pilots from charter through closeout, including scope, budget, schedule, test plans, site selection, success criteria, measurement and verification, risk reviews, and decision recommendations.
Coordinate bench, test-center, active-construction, and operating-site trials with project teams, EPC contractors, OEMs, utilities, authorities having jurisdiction, insurers, and operators while meeting safety, quality, environmental, cybersecurity, commissioning, and change-control requirements.
Convert validated innovations into design criteria, specifications, approved products, procurement strategies, construction methods, commissioning procedures, O&M playbooks, training materials, and repeatable deployment plans.
Support project and operating teams in applying validated technologies through development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations; track realized cost, schedule, energy, reliability, safety, and revenue benefits.
Build and manage strategic relationships with technology companies, OEMs, suppliers, startups, universities, national laboratories, utilities, and investors; support partnership, investment, joint-venture, and acquisition diligence as requested.
Coordinate with the Data Center Innovation Lead on solutions supporting data center opportunities while maintaining clear ownership and decision rights between business lines.
Maintain portfolio dashboards, key performance indicators, budgets, risk registers, intellectual-property coordination, and executive reporting; share lessons through workshops, innovation showcases, whitepapers, and industry forums.

Benefits

100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
401(k) with company match.
Generous paid time off and 11 paid holidays.
12 weeks of parental leave.
Life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage.
Flexible spending accounts for medical, dependent care, transit, and parking, with company contributions.
Mental, physical, and social wellness support, with company contributions.
Flexible work arrangements and hybrid office setup benefits.
Monthly reimbursement for phone, internet, and data.
Optional legal and pet insurance plans.
Device purchase support.
Performance-based bonuses and equity grants may be included in total rewards.