Senior Utility Electrical Engineer

Senior Utility Electrical Engineer

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.

The position is preferred to be based in Lowell or Boston, MA, but could be based out of our Oakland, Troy, or Chicago office for the right candidate. Hybrid employees work in the office at least two days in the week between Tuesday and Thursday, and are otherwise free to work from home.

In this role you will evaluate potential distributed energy resources (DER) sites, write regulatory policy, review proposed relaying and integration schemes, and provide engineering guidance for optimal project integration with the utility system.

Internally, you will work closely with stakeholders from the Interconnection, Policy, Project Development, and Development Engineering teams. Externally, you will serve as technical engineering lead when collaborating 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.

Additionally, you will need to develop a strong understanding of New Leaf Energy’s design philosophy, engineering standards, and their financial impact on projects.

• Evaluate and provide actionable feedback on distribution‑ and ISO‑level utility impact studies regarding accuracy, required system upgrades, project design changes, and cost reasonability.
• 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 the interconnection process at the project level.
• Provide training and guidance to the internal engineering team.
• Participate in internal process time and quality improvement initiatives.
• 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.
• Organize and manage external consultants to ensure timely and cost‑effective deliveries.

• 5+ years of relevant engineering and technical policy experience including renewable energy design and interconnection tariff structures.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or similar;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• PE license preferred.
• Strong technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of technical standards related to DER interconnection, including but not limited to IEEE 1547‑2018, IEEE 1547.1‑2020, IEEE 1453‑2015, IEEE C62.92.6, ANSI C84.1, IEEE 519‑1992, NEC‑Latest Edition.
• Strong understanding of distribution system impacts associated with the interconnection of DER and ability to develop creative solutions.
• Knowledge of the design of generating facilities.
• Experience leading advocacy for advancement in DER interconnection technical policy.
• Experience with power systems modeling software such as SKM, Aspen, or PSSe.
• Utility system planning experience.
• Expert understanding of project deadlines, milestones and urgencies.
• Ability to autonomously manage third‑party engineering firms to deliver on NLE deadlines.
• Shows ability to develop and mentor less experienced engineers.

Compensation includes a market‑competitive base salary, above‑market variable compensation, and an equity‑like program. For the Boston location, the likely base salary range is $147,600 – $167,270. The on‑target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% of base salary.