Staff Engineer, Interconnection

Orenda•New York, NY

8h•Onsite

About The Position

Orenda is seeking a proactive and skilled Interconnection Engineer to join their Origination Engineering team, focusing on the development and integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER). This role requires a balance of technical expertise, project management acumen, and interpersonal skills to thrive in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be passionate about renewable energy, possess a solid understanding of electrical systems, and be eager to contribute to the success of our projects from inception to completion. The Origination Team works to identify potential project sites, performs preliminary site diligence, prepares and submits interconnection application packages, interprets system studies, and manages the ever-growing pipeline of development opportunities. The output of the Origination Team is proof of commercial, electrical, and physical viability for future green energy infrastructure projects.

Requirements

ABET Accredited Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
4–8 years in Utility Distribution Planning or Interconnection.
Deep knowledge of IEEE 1547, SIR processes, and hosting capacity constraints.
Familiarity with high-tension distribution systems.
Experience working with utilities.
Strong foundation in power engineering principles.
Proficiency in AutoCAD, or the willingness to learn.
Competence with GIS platforms and tools.
A "technical detective" who enjoys finding leverage in complex engineering reports.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration, drive negotiations, and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
High degree of autonomy, with the ability to make informed decisions and adapt to evolving project demands.

Nice To Haves

Experience with DER technologies.
Familiarity with the Con Edison distribution system.
Experience performing SCCAF studies in ETAP.
EIT or PE License.
Advanced technical degree.

Responsibilities

Drafting & Design: Utilize AutoCAD to create and modify site layouts, single line diagrams, and electrical plans.
Engineering Calculations: Perform conduit fill calculations and determine medium-voltage conductor ampacity ratings.
Iterate on key component selection with low voltage (up to 690V) and medium voltage (up to 38kV) equipment and applications, ensuring compliance with industry standards and utility requirements.
Technical Integration: Translate complex configurations (PCS, BESS, Switchgear, and EVSE) into clear spatial and electrical drawings.
Quality Control: Ensure all drawings align perfectly with application data, including correct ratings, labels, and topology.
Revision Management: Rapidly pivot drawings based on utility feedback or evolving project constraints to keep timelines on track.
Analyze the interconnection queue and conduct competitive analysis.
Perform preliminary hosting capacity analysis to define number of projects at a site, as well as initial viability probability.
Develop, implement, and interpret regression models to analyze trends and predict outcomes related to electrical interconnections.
Manage the lifecycle of hundreds of concurrent projects, ensuring all milestones are met on time.
Develop a holistic understanding of DER projects, from site evaluation and land prospecting to SCADA integration and operational readiness.
System optimization through the identification of cost-saving opportunities through de-duplication of scope and shared infrastructure strategies.
Collaborate with utilities and regulatory bodies, with specific attention to Con Edison’s interconnection standards and high-tension distribution systems.
Maintain ongoing working relationship with utility stakeholders; drive rapid response times to comments, escalating and resolving open items to minimize cycle time.
Translate utility feedback and study results into clear internal decisions, risks, and next steps.
Lead technical RFIs and meetings with utility engineers to throughly understand and challange assumptions to optimize interconnection upgrade cost estimates.