Project Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

What The Role Is
Reporting to the Director, Project Development, the Associate, Project Development is responsible for both supporting and directly managing the development of projects across the West region of the U.S. The Associate will be a key member of the regional team that is charged with the development and execution of the construction of Clearway Energy Group's solar, wind, and storage project pipeline across California, Hawaii, and the Desert Southwest. The position will work with the Business Development, Origination, Engineering, Project Finance, and Construction teams across the full project lifecycle from origination to commissioning and all associated activities required to bring projects to successful commercial operation.
Candidates should have prior professional renewable energy project development experience with the ability across project siting, land and real estate, regulatory and environmental permitting, interconnection, transmission, and power marketing. Candidates should also have experience with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) engagement and have been through one or more successful project financing processes. Experience working in CAISO and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) power and transmission markets is preferred.
What You'll Be Doing

• Manage and support the development of complex large-scale renewable energy projects from initial project proposal and siting, through to permitting, design, interconnection, approval, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.
• Identify, propose, and implement creative or alternative project development approaches that reduce exposure to permitting risks, optimize development schedules, or create additional project value.
• Support or manage due diligence on development-stage projects and portfolio acquisitions, including comparison and prioritization of multiple opportunities based on common siting, permitting, interconnection, power marketing, and other project metrics.
• Support the administration of development services agreements with local/regional development partners; manage a network of local project stakeholders (e.g., technical consultants, surveyors, land persons, etc.).
• Collaborate with the internal Land Acquisition team to perform and/or manage third-party-led land campaigns to secure adequate site control to support generation and interconnection facilities.
• Collaborate with the engineering team and external consultants to evaluate site layouts and constraints, technology options, schedule implications, interconnection applications, and studies.
• Coordinate and provide input to project interconnection requests, load-flow and congestion studies, and other necessary aspects of securing project transmission.
• Support the negotiation and diligence of critical project contracts and agreements, including PPAs, GIAs, Turbine Supply Agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Support projects through financing diligence efforts to support obtaining cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments before the start of construction, and at term conversion.
• Coordinate and strategize with the Origination team on the marketing of development-stage projects for new power purchase and offtake agreements, including submitting responses to Request for Proposals (RFPs).
• Create and manage project budgets and schedules, including navigating internal project stage-gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Help prepare and present materials describing project development opportunities to management.
• Maintain industry relationships/contacts and current knowledge of market drivers and industry trends to facilitate proactive development posture and early-mover positioning as opportunities materialize.

What You'll Bring

• A bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or a related field is required.
• Understanding and ability to navigate complex permitting pathways for energy projects in the western United States.
• Ability to travel as required to projects within the footprint of Clearway's West Region (>25%).
• Minimum of 2 years of applicable experience in the renewable energy industry in the U.S., with direct experience and competence in full life-cycle development of utility-scale solar and/or wind projects.
• Experience and familiarity with all facets of land development: landowner engagement and negotiation/contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land use/water restrictions, land (ALTA) surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements as required.
• A high level of critical thought and a drive to manage and/or support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing project schedules and project budgets, as well as an understanding of key project value levers (commercial, financial, etc.).

What Would Be Nice

• Advanced study in business, finance, law, environmental science, or public policy is highly preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of governmental mandates, environmental regulations, or customer/market signals that impact or facilitate new development of renewable projects in Clearway's West Region are preferred.
• Battery storage experience a plus.
• Knowledge of the CAISO and or WECC power and transmission markets is preferred.

Clearway will not sponsor non-immigrant visas for this position (H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.).
#LI-Hybrid
The pay rate for the successful candidate will depend on geographic location, skills, relevant and demonstrated experience, education, training and certifications, and other factors permitted by law. This role is eligible to earn an annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals.
Salary Range Across all U.S. Locations
$120,000-$160,000 USD
Clearway Energy Group is leading the transition to a world powered by clean energy. Along with our public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc., our portfolio comprises approximately 11.6 GW of gross generating capacity in 26 states, including 9.1 GW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage assets, and over 2.5 GW of conventional dispatchable power generation providing critical grid reliability services. As we develop a nationwide pipeline of new energy projects for the future, Clearway's operating fleet generates enough reliable electricity to power more than 3 million homes today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & InclusionClearway Energy Group's vision is a world powered by clean energy. Along with our public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc., our portfolio comprises approximately 11.8 GW of gross generating capacity in 26 states, including 9.1 GW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage assets, and over 2.8 GW of flexible dispatchable power generation providing critical grid reliability services. As we develop a nationwide pipeline of new energy projects for the future, Clearway's operating fleet generates enough reliable electricity to power more than 2 million homes today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.
Working at Clearway, Hybrid TogetherHere at Clearway, we're committed to balancing flexibility while fostering strong relationships with our teammates. We do this by prioritizing corporate new hires based near one of our offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Scottsdale, Houston, Denver, & Princeton. Our office-based employees typically work together from fabulous spaces on Tuesdays & Thursdays to collaborate & learn, build community, get to know one another, & enjoy company-provided meals & events. Our site-based employees collaborate in-person daily to keep our locations operating safely and efficiently while fostering strong relationships within their local communities.
Clearway Energy is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience & expertise. We intentionally foster a culture of inclusion that empowers our employees to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities & protected veterans to join the team. Clearway is a proud promoter of employment opportunities for our Military & Veterans.
What We ProvideClearway offers all eligible employees working 20+ hours per week a comprehensive menu of benefits: generous PTO, medical, dental & vision care, HSAs with company contributions, health FSAs, dependent daycare FSAs, commuter benefits, relocation, & a 401(k) plan with employer match, a variety of life & accident insurances, fertility programs, adoption assistance, generous parental leave, tuition reimbursement, & benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions & domestic partnerships. For more on Clearway benefits, visit our Benefits Website.
Notice to Applicants
Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equal employment laws, ordinances, and regulations for all applicants and employees. We will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to apply and compete for employment opportunities for which they are qualified. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@clearwayenergy.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
All official communication regarding this position will come only from an email address ending with @clearwayenergy.com. If you receive outreach from any other email address claiming to represent Clearway Energy, please do not respond, as it is fraudulent.
Notice to California Applicants
Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equal employment laws, ordinances and regulations for all applicants and employees.