Solar Lighting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Los Angeles is working to strengthen the resilience and functionality of its street lighting network, including through the conversion of over a quarter of the Bureau of Street Lighting's (BSL's) 200,000+ street lights to solar-to-battery operation. The vast majority of BSL street lights currently draw power from the City's electrical grid through a system of underground circuits - a system that also supports a growing range of important public services that are co-located on the street light poles. The introduction of new power generation, delivery, and storage technologies into the BSL network requires the Bureau to adopt a new holistic systems approach to energy management that accommodates current and future uses and demands. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop a strategy to incorporate solar-to-battery systems and other new alternative energy approaches into BSL's operations and planning to enable a reliable, multi-use network. Ultimately, this work will improve service reliability, expand access to critical technologies, and strengthen long-term outcomes for communities across Los Angeles.
Fellowship Dates: October 26, 2026 - October 22, 2027
Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market-rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.
ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.
When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today's most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.
FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.
Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.
Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Reliable and resilient public infrastructure is essential to supporting safe, connected, and future-ready communities. Street lighting systems play a critical role in this effort by providing not only illumination but also supporting a growing range of services, including public safety technologies, telecommunications, and electric vehicle charging. As cities expand the capabilities of infrastructure in the public right-of-way, ensuring consistent and reliable access to power becomes increasingly important. For residents across Los Angeles, particularly in communities that rely heavily on public infrastructure for safety, mobility, and connectivity, disruptions to these systems can limit access to essential services and emerging technologies, underscoring the importance of modern, adaptable energy solutions.
In Los Angeles, the Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) manages one of the largest municipal street lighting systems in the country and has begun advancing efforts to strengthen system resilience and sustainability. In response to ongoing challenges with underground wiring vulnerability, BSL has initiated a partial transition toward solar-powered street lighting and battery systems. The Bureau has already piloted solar conversions across a number of locations and has begun exploring how streetlight infrastructure can support additional uses, such as telecommunications and electric vehicle charging. As these efforts expand, BSL has identified an opportunity to further assess how to scale solar generation and battery energy storage while ensuring that the full range of services supported by streetlight infrastructure can continue to operate effectively.
Los Angeles will partner with FUSE to advance a comprehensive, network-wide approach to alternative energy generation, storage, and delivery. The FUSE Executive Fellow will: conduct a landscape analysis and case study research on solar and non-grid energy solutions; assess current and future energy demands within the streetlight network; engage external experts, vendors, and peer cities to identify emerging practices; and develop a strategic plan to guide solar conversion and support multi-use infrastructure in the public right-of-way. Ultimately, this partnership will support Los Angeles in building a more resilient, flexible, and sustainable energy network that strengthens service delivery and expands the potential of public infrastructure for communities across the city.
PROJECT APPROACH
Beginning in Fall 2026, the FUSE Executive Fellow will work with the City of Los Angeles' Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) to develop a comprehensive, network-wide strategy for solar street lighting conversion specifically and, more broadly, alternative energy generation, storage, and delivery in the public right-of-way. The fellow will focus on helping BSL define a forward-looking approach to delivering reliable, resilient power that supports not only lighting, but also a growing range of services, including telecommunications, electric vehicle charging, and public safety technologies. Through this work, the fellow will support BSL in strengthening its strategic planning capacity and advancing a more flexible, multi-use infrastructure model that aligns with the City's long-term sustainability and resilience goals.
During the first 90 days, the fellow will conduct a comprehensive discovery phase to build a deep understanding of BSL's current systems, infrastructure, and priorities. The fellow will lead a structured listening tour with stakeholders across BSL, including leadership and staff involved in planning, operations, and engineering, as well as key partners such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, telecommunications providers, and other relevant agencies. This process will capture insights into how the streetlight network currently operates, how energy is distributed and used, and where challenges and opportunities exist in transitioning to solar and alternative energy systems. The fellow will also conduct a landscape analysis and review key materials, including existing pilot data, technical documentation, and relevant policies and plans. In parallel, the fellow will research best practices from comparable cities and emerging models in distributed energy, solar infrastructure, and multi-use public right-of-way systems. Based on these insights, the fellow will synthesize findings and present concepts for evolving and refining the project approach for review and approval by City leadership before advancing to the next phase of work.
Using the insights gathered during discovery, the fellow will lead the development of a strategic framework to guide solar conversion and alternative energy delivery across the City. This work will include mapping current and projected energy demands across the streetlight network, identifying how existing and future uses such as telecommunications, electric vehicle charging, and sensors can be supported within a solar or non-grid model, and analyzing case studies and models from peer cities and industry leaders. The fellow will engage closely with internal stakeholders such as BSL and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, as well as external partners including academic institutions, clean technology incubators, private sector providers, and peer cities, to validate approaches and identify feasible pathways forward. The fellow will also identify opportunities to strengthen coordination across departments and build relationships with external experts to support ongoing innovation. As the work progresses, the fellow will refine recommendations and develop a strategic roadmap that supports informed decision-making and aligns with City priorities, while remaining responsive to new insights and opportunities that emerge.
By the end of the fellowship, BSL will have a clear and actionable strategic direction for advancing solar street lighting and alternative energy solutions that support a more resilient and adaptable public infrastructure system. The Bureau will be better positioned to align infrastructure planning with evolving energy demands, coordinate across departments and partners, and make informed investment decisions that maximize long-term value. Staff will have a stronger understanding of emerging technologies and models, supported by established relationships with external experts and partners. To ensure sustainability, the fellow will work with BSL leadership to integrate the strategy into ongoing planning and operations, establish clear ownership of next steps, and create a foundation for continued implementation and refinement beyond the fellowship period.
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
By Fall 2027, the Executive Fellow will have produced the following:

• Developed a Network-wide Solar Street Lighting Conversion Strategy - Designed a comprehensive strategy that outlines a clear pathway for scaling solar street lighting across Los Angeles, including approaches to support multi-use infrastructure and long-term system resilience.
• Completed an Energy Demand and Infrastructure Assessment - Produced a detailed analysis of current and projected energy needs across the streetlight network, identifying how services such as telecommunications, electric vehicle charging, and public safety technologies can be supported within alternative energy models.
• Delivered a Best Practices and Case Study Report - Synthesized insights from peer cities, industry leaders, and emerging technologies to inform decision-making and identify innovative approaches to powering infrastructure in the public right-of-way.
• Established an Implementation Framework and Pilot Recommendations - Developed actionable recommendations, including potential pilot concepts, partnership opportunities, and phased implementation pathways to guide near-term action and future investment.
• Built Cross-Sector Partnerships and Knowledge Networks - Established relationships with key external partners, including academic institutions, industry experts, and technology providers, to support ongoing innovation and ensure continued access to emerging insights beyond the fellowship period.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Executive Sponsor - Miguel Sangalang, Executive Director, Bureau of Street Lighting
• Project Supervisor - Dan Caroselli, Assistant Director, Bureau of Street Lighting

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in organizational transformation and change management, from practitioner to enterprise-level leadership.
• Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
• Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
• Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
• Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
• Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
• Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground. Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.