Sr. Engineer, Transmission and Interconnection

Avantus develops, owns, and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. The Sr. Engineer, Transmission and Interconnection will lead projects through the interconnection process and perform critical analyses to support the company's utility-scale solar and storage projects.

Responsibilities:

• Lead projects through the interconnection process from project inception though Commercial Operation for Avantus’ projects in ISO’s (CAISO, ERCOT, SPP, MISO, PJM, NYISO, NEISO) and vertically integrated markets (WECC)
• Perform power flow, stability, short circuit studies using PSLF, PSS/E, PowerWorld, TARA, UPLAN, ASPEN, PSCAD and other software as needed for project prospecting purposes
• Evaluate transmission & interconnection tariffs, costs, timelines, queue, and processes for a variety of markets and provide strategy to the project teams
• Coordinate efforts to meet all interconnection requirements including interconnection applications, interconnection studies, interconnection agreements, and post-IA project execution milestones
• Negotiate interconnection study results and interconnection agreements with utilities toward favorable project outcomes
• Lead communication and build relationships with utilities/ISOs and track interconnection progress to ensure projects are complete in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Identify optimal interconnection locations in target markets based on multiple cross-functional siting criteria and in depth power flow and market basis risk analyses
• Track changes to interconnection tariffs, business practice manuals, and key transmission upgrades in target markets
• Collaborate on interconnection milestones with cross-functional team including Development, Origination, Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Legal, Land Acquisition, Land Entitlement, Procurement, HV Engineering, Optimization Engineering, Construction, & Operations

Requirements:

• Five (5) years minimum of related experience in interconnection & project development or transmission planning at a utility, ISO/RTO, or project developer
• Deep understanding of CAISO & WECC utilities tariffs, interconnection processes, transmission service processes, transmission planning processes, and late-stage resource implementation processes
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously at a dynamic pace, find creative solutions, track major milestones, and prioritize several projects simultaneously
• Ability to provide verbal and written summaries of interconnection processes, results, milestones, and statuses for both a technical and non-technical audience
• Ability to read and negotiate long legal contracts (Interconnection Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, Independent Engineer Reports, Financing Documents)
• Experience developing lasting relationships with utilities, consulting firms, ISO/RTOs, and regulators
• Strong capability in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Adobe Acrobat, & Google Earth
• Fluent in PSLF, PSSE, TARA, UPLAN (or PROMOD), PSCAD, ASPEN - requirements to Perform studies
• Ability to use OASIS/OATI, GE PSLF, PSSE, UPAN, PSCAD, ASPEN, PowerWorld, and/or AutoCAD
• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Electric Power Systems Engineering and/or MBA