Principal Engineer, Transmission & Interconnection

Avantus • San Diego, CA

112d • $162,172 - $190,170

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for the Principal Engineer, Transmission and Interconnection position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to the SVP of Transmission. Avantus’ Transmission & Interconnection team is responsible for providing interconnection strategy of all utility scale solar & storage projects, performing analysis on the transmission system to identify capacity for potential projects, and leading the company through the necessary transmission & interconnection processes of utilities and ISO’s. Avantus is active in multiple ISO’s and vertically integrated markets across the country, with multiple projects at various stages of development.

Requirements

• Ten (10) years minimum of related experience in interconnection & project development or transmission planning at a utility, ISO/RTO, or project developer.
• Deep understanding of CAISO & WECC utilities tariffs, interconnection processes, transmission service processes, transmission planning processes, and late-stage resource implementation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously at a dynamic pace, find creative solutions, track major milestones, and prioritize several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to provide verbal and written summaries of interconnection processes, results, milestones, and statuses for both a technical and non-technical audience.
• Ability to read and negotiate long legal contracts (Interconnection Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, Independent Engineer Reports, Financing Documents).
• Experience developing lasting relationships with utilities, consulting firms, ISO/RTOs, and regulators.
• Required: Strong capability in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Adobe Acrobat, & Google Earth.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to use OASIS/OATI, GE PSLF, PSSE, UPAN, PSCAD, ASPEN, PowerWorld, and/or AutoCAD.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Electric Power Systems Engineering and/or MBA.
• Fluent in PSLF, PSSE, TARA, UPLAN (or PROMOD), PSCAD, ASPEN - requirements to Perform studies.
• Experience working with TARA is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects through the interconnection process from project inception through Commercial Operation for Avantus’ projects in ISO’s (CAISO, ERCOT, SPP, MISO, PJM, NYISO, NEISO) and vertically integrated markets (WECC).
• Perform power flow, stability, short circuit studies using PSLF, PSS/E, PowerWorld, TARA, UPLAN, ASPEN, PSCAD and other software as needed for project prospecting purposes.
• Evaluate transmission & interconnection tariffs, costs, timelines, queue, and processes for a variety of markets and provide strategy to the project teams.
• Coordinate efforts to meet all interconnection requirements including interconnection applications, interconnection studies, interconnection agreements, and post-IA project execution milestones.
• Negotiate interconnection study results and interconnection agreements with utilities toward favorable project outcomes.
• Lead communication and build relationships with utilities/ISOs and track interconnection progress to ensure projects are complete in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Identify optimal interconnection locations in target markets based on multiple cross-functional siting criteria and in depth power flow and market basis risk analyses.
• Track changes to interconnection tariffs, business practice manuals, and key transmission upgrades in target markets.
• Collaborate on interconnection milestones with cross-functional team including Development, Origination, Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Legal, Land Acquisition, Land Entitlement, Procurement, HV Engineering, Optimization Engineering, Construction, & Operations.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Comprehensive medical and dental plan options
• Flexible PTO

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees