Principal Utility Electrical Engineer

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Principal Utility Electrical Engineer to join our team! The Principal Utility Electrical Engineer plays a central role in spearheading New Leaf’s Engineering design strategy.  In this position, you will lead technical discussions and drive creative engineering problem-solving in order to empower development in New Leaf’s most competitive markets. Your work will form the basis of the utility scale development team’s technical strategy, and you will work closely with the project developers over the entire project development cycle to evaluate utility deliverables and provide guidance to advance projects.

Internally, you will collaborate with the Development, Policy, Project Finance, and Interconnection Teams. Externally, you’ll work with third-party consultants, utility engineers, and other industry professionals to advocate for New Leaf Energy’s utility scale portfolio. 

Position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Exhibits a strong understanding of utility scale business goals and proactively facilitates system analysis to identify optimal project locations;
• Ensures design constructability and operational reliability and drives consensus on multidisciplinary projects and initiatives;
• Lead internal strategic initiatives with minimal direction; own goal-setting conception, planning and execution;
• Provide direct mentorship and develop/deliver structured training to members of the UEE team engaged in utility scale work;
• Interpret and negotiate technical positions with utilities, ISOs, and FERC/IEEE standard bodies;
• Oversees interconnection study workstreams — validates PSSE/PSCAD models and assumptions;
• Leads R&D on grid-forming inverters, black-start capability, and hybrid dispatch optimization;
• Authors internal white papers and best-practice guides on hybrid system performance;
• Provides technical support to the Design Engineering department for plant designs - including Collector Station footprint, equipment needs and clearance;
• Expert ability in softwares and tools used by the engineering team as well as the capability to instruct others in how to perform analysis/calculations;
• Lead cross-collaborative standard initiatives using the NLE process implementation map;  
• Serve as the subject matter expert for the utility scale business, and act as an internal consultant to assist with strategic decision-making; 
• Create and execute standard work and processes that support project development strategy for utility scale business;
• Autonomously manage third-party engineering firms to deliver on NLE deadlines (includes scoping, reviewing, and holding them accountable to NLE deadlined);  
• Own the creation and maintenance of technical standards and tools for utility scale projects; 
• Ability to dynamically support project finance during project sale negotiations and post-closing deliverables; 

Desired Qualifications: 

While no one individual will possess them all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences, skills, and attributes. If you’re unsure whether you meet enough of the qualifications below but believe that your experience and skill set is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply!

• 10+ years of power engineering experience, with significant experience in development business;
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering required;
• Masters or PE Preferred;
• Well-organized self-starter with a genuine drive for success;
• Possesses strong PM and operational skills; 
• Experience in substation engineering or ISO/RTO background preferred.
• Requires extensive experience performing power system calculations using software program;
• Strong aptitude for creative problem-solving;
• Exhibits advanced understanding of power system and design engineering principles (Inverter design, system grounding, BESS design, protection, etc); 
• Strong understanding of interconnection policy and regulatory environment for utility scale projects;
• Ability to lead internal strategic initiatives with minimal direction; 
• Expert understanding of project deadlines, milestones, and urgencies;

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: market-competitive base salary, plus above-market variable compensation, plus an equity-like program such that all employees experience the benefits of ownership.  We use a data-driven and transparent methodology to calibrate compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual, which is available to all employees.

Under our compensation framework, the likely base salary range for this position in the Chicago location is $184,420 - $210,450. The on-target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% percent of base salary. Your actual salary may be above, in, or below this range, depending on your location and experience. We value transparency and can share more during the interview process. 

Benefits and Culture

New Leaf Energy’s success is driven by our collaborative, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency. We offer a flexible work environment that places significant responsibility in independent teams and creates opportunities for innovation and personal growth. New Leaf Energy’s benefits are designed to appropriately recognize our employees’ contributions and enable a reasonable work/life balance. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental and vision;
• A 401k plan with immediate vesting and a company match (100% of the first three percent of your pay; 50% for the next two percent you contribute);
• An open and self-managed paid time-off policy;
• A hybrid work location policy that supports working from home for part of the week;
• A parental leave policy for both birthing and non-birthing parents, available immediately upon hire;
• Professional development and education assistance.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

New Leaf Energy values the diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and contributions of all employees. We want all our employees to feel like they belong and are empowered to be their most authentic selves at work. We’re actively committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment not only within our own organization but also within the clean energy industry.

We seek a diverse candidate pool in this–and every–search. New Leaf Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, New Leaf Energy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. EEO M/F/D/V.

A Note to Third-Party Recruiters

New Leaf Energy’s People + Culture team coordinates all recruiting and hiring at our company. New Leaf Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies. Resumes are only accepted from third-party recruiters, staffing firms, or related agencies if a signed agreement is in place AND if external recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team for a specific position. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of New Leaf Energy. New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.