Remote Utility Scale Solar Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Description

About Lightshift Energy: 

Founded at the beginning of 2019, Lightshift Energy (formerly Delorean Power) focuses on the development, design, financing, construction, ownership and operations of utility-scale energy storage projects in the US.  Large-scale batteries allow our project partners to save costs, operate the grid more reliably, and balance variations in wind and solar production.  Located in Arlington, VA, Lightshift Energy works with utilities and large electric consumers on sophisticated, value-maximizing approaches to energy storage and clean energy integration.  Lightshift Energy's leadership combines decades of clean energy expertise with a commitment to accelerating the shift to a sustainable energy future through storage. 

Description of Role: 

As the Head of Interconnection, you will be responsible for supporting Lightshift's team on both interconnection strategy and tactics at the transmission and distribution level, but also overseeing interconnection studies, ensuring timely submission of interconnection applications, and seeing projects through the study process all the way through construction and commissioning.  This is a highly important and interdisciplinary role for the company that will work independently but also in collaboration with the analytics, origination, development, engineering and construction teams. This role is the ideal growth opportunity for an ambitious self-starter looking to build a strong interconnection capability and fuel the growth of one of the most innovative companies in the space.  

Location: 

• Strong preference for candidate to report to Lightshift's Arlington, VA headquarters. We will consider remote employment for exceptionally qualified candidates. 

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Base salary commensurate with experience and generous annual cash bonuses; 
• Full benefits package, including 401k, health/dental/vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and short-term disability.

Requirements

Core responsibilities and expertise may include, but not be limited to:

Strategic/Qualitative: 

• Conduct quarterly (or more frequent) interconnection reviews as part of Lightshift leadership team and recommend new strategies 
• Stay abreast of interconnection policy reforms (state and federal) and update Leadership on material changes with implications to development and origination strategies 
• Be internal expert on interconnection processes for various markets, including cost, schedule, and strategic implications 
• Evaluate interconnection aspects for the purchase of development assets with existing IX positions 
• Management of existing interconnection queue positions / associated utility interactions 
• Management of new interconnection queue position applications / associated utility interactions 
• Host interconnection training sessions (as needed, company-wide and/or team specific) 

Technical: 

• Run power flow models and evaluate interconnection potential for Lightshift sites and/or coordinate with 3rd?party contractors for the same 
• Create PSSE, PSCAD, ASPEN plant models to be used in interconnection applications and/or coordinate requests with 3rd?party contractors for the same  
• Stay abreast of relevant technical requirements for different IX applications/markets and evaluate cost and schedule implications 
• Sensitize models based on analysis of contingent facilities and commercialization potential for other queued projects 
• Evaluate required substation upgrades-knowledge of timeline/procurement risk, required equipment, and spacing constraints 
• Knowledge of substation design for GSU/collector stations 
• General EE knowledge required for IX applications (Impedance, effective grounding, sequence currents, etc.) 
• Maintain knowledge of required protection and interconnection communications equipment 
• Coordinate interconnection design / construction with project construction and commissioning?and analytics/finance 
• Stay abreast on inverter technology, relevant certifications, and technology change flexibility and all relevant certifications/grid codes 
• Diligence of third-party consulting support and software tools to improve Lightshift's interconnection capabilities 

 Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree, Electrical Engineering or related 
• 5+ years of professional experience  

Preferred Skills:  

• Strong organizational, networking, leadership, and time management skills 
• Outstanding problem solving, strategic thinking, verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong technical acumen complemented by strategic view of the industry 
• Ability to work self-sufficiently and as a team member / leader 
• Ability to make decisions with limited information and when faced with uncertainty  
• Demonstrated ability to perform under significant time and pressure conditions 
• Knowledge of the electric utility industry, electric energy markets, and RTO and Utility interconnection processes