Senior Transmission Planning Engineer

New Leaf Energy • Oakland, CA

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 transmission 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, assess potential upgrades and queue attrition scenarios, and provide guidance to advance projects. The role collaborates internally with Project Development, Policy, and Interconnection teams, and externally with third-party consultants, utility and ISO engineers, and other industry professionals to advocate for New Leaf Energy’s utility-scale portfolio.

The role is approximately 70% project-task work and 30% higher-level project management, standards and SOP maintenance, and cross-functional collaboration and training. The engineer performs analysis with little or no supervision from a Lead TPE or Manager, serves as the transmission planning engineering lead for multiple ISO territories, and may onboard and manage third-party consultants. The position reports to the Senior Director of Grid Analytics.

The role may be based in Boston, Lowell, Oakland, Troy, or Chicago. New Leaf Energy offers a hybrid work environment: 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 of study.
• Advanced knowledge of power systems and transmission planning practices, with the ability to build expertise in specific ISO territories.
• Advanced knowledge of planning software 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 at ISO scoping calls from an engineering standpoint.
• 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 to perform transmission analysis.
• Ability to learn and demonstrate project management fundamentals.
• Well-organized self-starter with a genuine drive for success.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Perform transmission analysis with little or no supervision from a Lead TPE or Manager.
• Create scopes of work for third-party engineers or internal TPEs to support business operations.
• Review deliverables created by internal TPEs or third-party engineers.
• Create standard operating procedures for team study methodologies.
• Serve as transmission planning engineering lead for multiple ISO territories, helping developers navigate the transmission network and identify competitive, efficient interconnection locations.
• Evaluate ISO and utility impact studies; where appropriate, challenge study methodology and propose alternatives.
• Help project developers assess the feasibility of potential project sites, including estimating potential network upgrades and costs.
• Participate in technical policy working groups to advocate for policies and standards that further New Leaf Energy’s mission and goals.
• Onboard and manage third-party consultants to assist with engineering analysis when needed.
• Maintain standards and SOPs, contribute to project management, and support cross-functional collaboration and training.
• Represent New Leaf Energy at ISO scoping calls from an engineering standpoint.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including 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 working from home for part of the week.
• Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire.
• Professional development and education assistance.
• Above-market variable compensation; on-target annual cash bonus is 20% of base salary.
• Equity-like program intended to provide employees with benefits of ownership.

What This Job Offers

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