Sr. Interconnection Manager, CAISO (West Region)

Location: San Francisco, California / Remote
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Position Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Up to $190K DOE plus 20% bonus
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Tuition Assistance, and more.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Manager of Transmission & Interconnection to lead the strategic execution of our renewable energy portfolio's grid integration efforts. This role is central to navigating the complex CAISO market and WECC markets, managing the full lifecycle of generator interconnection requests from initial feasibility through to the execution of Large Generator Interconnection Agreements (LGIA). The ideal candidate will have deep technical and regulatory expertise in the California market and a proven track record within a renewable energy development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• CAISO and Other WECC Queue Management: Lead the submission and management of interconnection requests for utility-scale solar, wind, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within the CAISO/WECC cluster process.

• Technical Analysis & Modeling: Oversee perform complex power system studies, including power flow, transient stability, short circuit, and curtailment analyses.

• Strategic Siting: Collaborate with development teams to identify optimal project locations based on transmission capacity, congestion risks, and projected network upgrade costs.

• Agreement Negotiation: Lead negotiations with CAISO/WECC and Participating Transmission Owners (PTOs) for interconnection agreements, facilities studies, and cost-allocation methodologies.

• Regulatory Advocacy: Monitor and participate in CAISO/WECC stakeholder processes (e.g., Interconnection Process Enhancements) and FERC regulatory changes to influence policy and protect project viability.

• Due Diligence: Provide technical and commercial assessments for M&A activities, evaluating the risks and value of third-party interconnection positions.

• Compliance & Milestones: Ensure all projects remain in strict compliance with NERC, WECC, and ISO tariff requirements, meeting all financial and technical milestones to avoid queue withdrawal.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 5–10 years of professional experience specifically focused on transmission and interconnection within the CAISO market.

• Market Knowledge: Deep expertise in the CAISO Tariff, Business Practice Manuals (BPMs), and the annual Transmission Planning Process (TPP).

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems focus) or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with industry-standard modeling tools such as PSS/E, PSLF, TARA, or PowerGEM.

Preferred Qualifications

• Developer Background: Previous experience working directly for a renewable energy developer, managing a large pipeline of utility-scale projects through late-stage development.

• Hybrid/Storage Expertise: Specific experience interconnecting co-located or hybrid resources (Solar BESS) and navigating related CAISO modeling requirements.

• Network: Established relationships with CAISO staff and California PTO (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) interconnection teams.