Research Development Analyst Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

About Middle River Power

Middle River Power (MRP) is a private equity-sponsored platform specializing in the investment and asset management of U.S. power generation facilities. With over 8GW of natural gas, coal, battery storage, and solar facilities across multiple states, the company focuses on safe, reliable, and efficient power plant operations. MRP’s executive team collectively brings over 120 years of expertise in energy management and power generation, collaborating closely with plant personnel and industry professionals. MRP applies a data-driven approach to investment and operational decisions, considering key factors such as regulatory changes and resource planning. Learn more at middleriverpower.com.

At MRP, we believe that experienced leadership, capable emerging talent, and strong partnerships enable us to deliver innovative, outsized solutions in the energy sector. This framework ensures every hire strengthens our culture of curiosity, collaboration, and commitment while maintaining the speed and flexibility our business demands.

The Behaviors We Hire For

Our business thrives on a set of behaviors that allow our team-based culture to reach high standards and build on one another’s strengths. MRP is a PE-backed environment that requires operating at pace, calculated risk-taking, and creative problem-solving. The people we hire must excel not only in their technical domain but also embody the behaviors that make us successful.

· Love What You Do - Genuine curiosity for the energy sector and our business

· Collaborate to Win - Works across teams; believes partnership delivers results

· Comfort with Ambiguity - Adapts to growth and change; solves problems resourcefully

· Innovation Over Status Quo - Brings fresh thinking and challenges assumptions

· Confident & Honest - Owns their contribution; transparent about what they don't know

· Progressive Problem Solver - Guides problems to solutions; works hard to get it done

· Here for the Long Term - Committed to building a career and business with others

Position Summary

Middle River Power is seeking a Development Analyst to join our development team. This role offers early-career professionals the opportunity to work across the full lifecycle of conventional and hybrid power generation projects — from initial site and market assessment through interconnection, permitting, financing, and execution.

This individual will support senior development staff on a portfolio of active projects, with a primary focus on financial modeling, market research, and strategic analysis support. Day-to-day responsibilities will span the construction and maintenance of project-level pro forma models (including debt sizing, tax equity structuring, and returns analysis), interconnection and permitting research and support, counterparty and market research, and coordination across internal workstreams including engineering, legal, and regulatory.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in development finance and energy, an analytical mindset, and genuine intellectual curiosity about the energy sector. Prior internship experience in project finance, private equity, or energy development is preferred. Familiarity with power markets and an understanding of the regulatory and commercial frameworks governing generation assets is a plus, though not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Pro-Forma Project Analysis: Build forecast and scenario analyses to evaluate project viability commercial decision-making
• Dashboard & Tool Development: Create and maintain dashboards, models, and tools to improve visibility into development pipeline and opportunity set
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with commercial, M&A, finance, and technical teams (interconnection and environmental) teams to evaluate market dynamics, support contracting and drive favorable project timelines.
• Support for Development Strategy: Contribute to market views, permitting, regulatory and interconnection understanding and process.
• Documentation & Communication: Prepare clear, structured reports and presentations for internal and external audiences

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, energy, economics, finance, or a related field
• Experience: 1-3 years in power, gas, or energy markets; experience in risk, trading support, or analytics preferred
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with Python, Power BI, or Tableau a plus
• Knowledge: Understanding of energy markets, regulatory and interconnection processes for new power generation
• Analytical Skills: Strong quantitative and analytical abilities, comfort working with large datasets
• Soft Skills: Proactive, self-starter mindset; strong communication and collaboration skills

Skills & Tools

• Analytical Tools: Excel, Python, Power BI/Tableau
• Market Knowledge: Power/gas markets, ISO/RTO operations
• Data Handling: Large dataset analysis, forecasting, scenario modeling
• Communication: Clear reporting and presentation skills

Overview of our Hiring Process

We take a progressive approach to our interview process, which means we move quickly and prioritize early conversations with the people you would work with day to day. Final round interviews are usually held onsite and include members of our leadership team. In some situations, we will ask candidates to complete a project or build a presentation when it is relevant to the job. We are committed to moving efficiently and valuing your time throughout the interview process.

Work Location

To foster a collaborative culture, we aim to place roles within one of our office locations. In some cases, we may create remote roles when it makes sense for business. Frequency and location of travel for team meetings and job duties will vary by role. MRP is an in-office 4 days a week organization.

Compensation

MRP builds its compensation packages to reward and recognize high-performing talent. Base salary ranges are designed to be competitive by market and take into consideration individual experience, technical skills and long-term career growth. Each employee is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on their level and company annual performance metrics.

Benefits and Perks

MRP offers a holistic and comprehensive benefits package for all employees that consists of the following:

• Medical, vision, dental coverage for employees and families is 90% employer-funded
• FSA and HSA plans with company HSA contributions
• 15 days of PTO, company holidays, and two floating holidays
• Employee EAP and wellness services
• Parental Leave
• 401k with company matching up to 4%