Manager / Senior Manager / Director of Transmission & Interconnection

Join Grid United as a Manager / Senior Manager / Director of Transmission & Interconnection

Grid United is at the forefront of revolutionizing the energy landscape by developing long-distance transmission lines in North America, addressing key challenges for a cleaner and more reliable grid. With patient capital backing led by experienced energy veterans, Grid United is in a fast-growth stage, boasting a purpose-built team of motivated and entrepreneurial talent. We are now expanding our Transmission & Interconnection team and are excited to invite an enthusiastic analyst or associate to help shape the value proposition and commercial strategy for our long-distance transmission projects. This role will report directly to the Vice President – Strategy and New Initiatives.

Why Join Us:

• Mission-Driven: Be part of a mission-driven organization tackling significant challenges in the energy sector.
• Growth Opportunities: Contribute to a fast-growing company with opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a purpose-built team of accomplished innovative talent in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• Flexibility: Enjoy the flexibility of a one-day-per-week work-from-home policy as we continue to expand our team.

This position will be located in Houston, TX and will report to Vice President – Transmission Strategy. We prefer this team member to be in the office due to the complex and extensive coordination required with the broader team. However, remote candidates who can travel to Houston occasionally will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Relocation assistance will be provided. Please apply if you possess 70% or more of the required skills described below.

Opportunity

As they say, Transmission Planning is an art as much as it is a science. The old paradigm of building transmission to deliver conventional dispatchable generation is rapidly shifting towards one to deliver a diverse set of resources spread across a wider footprint. This new paradigm comes with new complex challenges that require today’s planners to be imaginative and creative problem solvers. At Grid United, we take pride in creating a complex and unique product – Transmission. Transmission, that is not only practical to develop and build, but with a compelling value proposition for energy consumers. Although transmission planning is the trade at the core of the role, this is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge beyond traditional planning including policy and regulation, utility ratemaking, resource adequacy, electric market structures, and last but not the least – the cutting edge of VSC HVDC systems. Our development portfolio spans a number of RTOs and the non-RTO West with widely different grid dynamics and nuances. The candidate is not expected to have demonstrated knowledge and experience in performing all the job responsibilities mentioned below; however, intellectual curiosity and a can-do attitude is expected.

Responsibilities

• Identify optimum locations on the grid with potential for interregional transmission expansion or interconnecting large volume of generation resources in the GW range. This may include performing quantitative grid analysis like power flow, SCED/production cost modeling, transient stability in addition to qualitative analysis. For example, extensive research on the local grid fundamentals, IRPs and long-range transmission plans, local grid planning history, utility/RTO tariff and policy, etc. At a minimum, candidates need to be able to perform initial analysis to guide and reason with external consultants with deeper regional or subject matter expertise.
• Develop interconnection plan and execution strategy including optimum application size, timing of queue entry, selecting AC line parameters or HVDC configuration, assessing risk of untenable network upgrades, queue dynamics and churn, etc.
• Actively manage interconnection filings including milestones, payment forecasts, slippages in queue timelines with regular communications to rest of the development team. Diagnose interconnection study results, test, and propose alternative transmission mitigations.
• Negotiate complex transmission and/or generator interconnection agreements with various transmission service providers across the US and Canada
• Perform economic transmission planning analysis using production cost modeling software to assess changes in adjusted production cost to compute the B/C ratio of proposed transmission projects
• Support commercial analytics team in performing detailed nodal and zonal market analysis to evaluate the commercial value of Inter Grid DC ties by providing network assumptions, evaluating transmission constraints, diagnosing and interpreting results. This may also include assessments to evaluate congestion and curtailment risk for large generation interconnection.
• Research various cost allocation methodologies, merchant/regulated transmission funding and rate recovery mechanisms across the US and internationally
• Actively follow various RTO stakeholder meetings and industry advocacy groups to both stay abreast and advocate for policy changes that could impact company’s development portfolio
• Gain a deep understanding of various HVDC technologies, configurations, and engineering parameters. Coordinate with HVDC Engineering specialists to develop necessary models for interconnection analysis.
• Research and analyze WECC path ratings and other transmission service paths to identify optimum upgrades required for increasing transfer capability
• Perform due diligence on potential acquisition targets to assess interconnection and commercial viability of projects
• Perform ad hoc research on special topics like DC tie operation rules and procedures, scheduling, etc.
• Support development and engineering teams in developing project proposals, cost estimates, and other activities
• Coordinate and work with an internal team comprised of individuals with varied experience and background across different industries and specialties
• Structure, execute, and manage contractual arrangements with consultants and subcontractors necessary to support a broad range of transmission planning analyses

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of grid planning and/or electric market principles with experience utilizing at least one of the common grid analytics tools like PSS/E, PSLF, Powergem TARA, PROMOD, GRIDVIEW, UPLAN, PLEXOS, AURORA, etc.
• Planning level knowledge of HVDC technology and systems, substation configurations, transmission line design and ratings, and cost estimates
• Commercially minded, creative individual with the willingness and flexibility to work in a fast-paced work environment with constantly shifting priorities
• Self-starter willing to persevere with solving the problem at hand under ambiguity and often no readily available data
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, with utility and ISO representatives, external engineering firms, company personnel from varied technical backgrounds
• BS in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited university with an emphasis on Power Systems is required
• MS in Electrical Engineering or MBA preferred

 Benefits: 

• Competitive base compensation and annual organizational bonus.
• Company-wide inclusion in Long-Term Incentive Program (equity). We are all owners of this business.
• All standard benefits effective from day one, immediately vested in all 401(k) contributions, company contributes even if you don’t.
• Opportunities to be involved in interesting work that will make a meaningful contribution.

Apply today and join us on this exciting journey!

Grid United is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Grid United is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. If you require accommodation to complete the application process, please contact [email protected].