Senior Transmission Planning Engineer

New Leaf Energy • Troy, NY

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Transmission Planning Engineer performs transmission modeling and analysis to identify promising locations for new utility-scale projects and opportunities to use available capacity. This analysis informs the utility-scale project development team’s land prospecting strategy. The engineer works with project developers throughout the development cycle to evaluate utility study deliverables, understand potential upgrades and queue attrition scenarios, and guide projects forward. The role collaborates internally with Project Development, Policy, and Interconnection teams, and externally with consultants, utility and ISO engineers, and other industry professionals to advocate for New Leaf Energy’s utility-scale portfolio.

The role’s work is approximately 70% project tasks and 30% higher-level project management, standards and SOP maintenance, and cross-functional collaboration and training. The position reports to the Senior Director of Grid Analytics. It may be based in the Boston, Lowell, Oakland, Troy, or Chicago office. The work environment is hybrid: employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and may work from the office or home on other days.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of power engineering experience specializing in transmission planning.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a similar relevant field.
• Advanced knowledge of power systems and transmission planning practices, with the ability to build expertise in specific ISO territories.
• Advanced knowledge of planning software used for transmission system analysis, including steady-state power flow, stability, and transfer analysis.
• Ability to read and interpret ISO study deliverables and understand their impact on New Leaf Energy projects.
• Advanced ability to work with multiple software programs, such as PSSE and TARA.
• Ability to represent New Leaf Energy from an engineering standpoint at ISO scoping calls.
• Strong understanding of New Leaf Energy’s VSM and development strategy.
• Strong understanding of regional ISO study practices and ability to research and learn regional ISO standards for new markets.
• Ability to teach less experienced engineers how to perform transmission analysis.
• Ability to learn and demonstrate project management fundamentals.
• Well-organized, self-starting, and driven to succeed.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform transmission analysis with little or no supervision from a Lead Transmission Planning Engineer or Manager.
• Create scopes of work for third-party engineers or internal transmission planning engineers to support business operations.
• Review deliverables created by internal transmission planning engineers or third-party engineers.
• Create standard operating procedures for team study methodologies and maintain standards and SOPs.
• Lead transmission planning engineering for multiple ISO territories, helping project developers navigate the transmission network and identify competitive, efficient interconnection locations.
• Evaluate ISO and utility impact studies; where appropriate, challenge study methodologies and propose alternative approaches.
• Help project developers assess potential project-site feasibility, including estimating potential network upgrades and costs.
• Participate in technical policy working groups to advocate for policies and standards that support New Leaf Energy’s mission and goals.
• Onboard and manage third-party consultants when needed to assist with engineering analysis.
• Collaborate across functions and train colleagues in transmission analysis.
• Manage project work and contribute to project management activities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and a company match: 100% of the first 3% of pay and 50% of the next 2% contributed.
• Open, self-managed paid time-off policy.
• Hybrid work location policy supporting work from home part of the week.
• Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire.
• Professional development and education assistance.
• Competitive base salary, above-market variable compensation, and an equity-like ownership program. The on-target annual cash bonus is 20% of base salary.

What This Job Offers

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