Utility Electrical Engineer II

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Utility Electrical Engineer II to join our team. In this role, you will work closely with internal stakeholders from the interconnection, project development, and operations teams to evaluate potential PV sites, review proposed relaying and integration schemes, and guide projects through acceptance testing. Externally, you will work collaboratively with utility engineers in a variety of service territories to design interconnection facilities and system modifications that enable the connection of parallel distributed generators while maintaining the safe and reliable operations of the distribution system.

This position may be filled out of our Lowell, MA, Boston, MA or Troy, NY, or Chicago, IL offices. We value in-person collaboration and offer a hybrid work environment. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two out of every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and are free to work from the office or from home on other days.

Our ideal candidate will have experience in power systems and an in-depth understanding of how distributed generation interacts with existing distribution and sub‑transmission systems. Additionally, you will need to be able to understand and explain all aspects of New Leaf Energy’s design philosophy and engineering standards.

• Evaluate utility impact studies for accuracy, required design changes, and cost estimates;
• Assist project developers in the evaluation of potential PV sites and provide estimates of interconnection costs;
• Review interconnection drawings and application packages for compliance with relevant utility standards and regulatory obligations;
• Manage technical aspects of interconnection process for projects;
• Actively participate in different state and industry level technical policy working groups with the intent to advocate for policies and standards that facilitate New Leaf Energy’s goals and mission;
• Attend field design meetings with relevant utility companies;
• Perform power systems modeling including coordination studies and effective grounding studies;
• Provide training and guidance to NLE’s internal engineering team;
• Participate in internal process time and quality improvement initiatives.

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!

• 3‑5+ years of relevant experience;
• Strong understanding of distribution system impacts associated with the interconnection of distributed energy resources (DER), as well as techniques for mitigating common distribution system impacts;
• Experience sizing and specifying equipment rated for 480V - 46kV such as transformers, switching equipment, metering equipment, reclosers, direct transfer trip schemes, SCADA systems, switch gear, and protective relaying, as well as experience performing load calculations, short‑circuit, and coordination studies;
• Experience performing load calculations, short‑circuit, and coordination studies;
• Experience advocating for advancement in DER interconnection technical policy.

• Experience with power systems modeling software such as SKM, Aspen, or PSSe;
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or relevant study required.

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market‑competitive base salary, plus above‑market variable compensation, plus an equity‑like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership. We use a data‑driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and…