Principal Utility Electrical Engineer

Position Overview

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Principal Utility Electrical Engineer to join our team! In this critical role, you will spearhead New Leaf’s Engineering design strategy by leading technical discussions and driving creative engineering problem-solving. Working closely with the project developers throughout the project development cycle, you will evaluate utility deliverables and provide guidance to advance projects. You will collaborate internally with the Development, Policy, Project Finance, and Interconnection Teams, and externally with third-party consultants, utility engineers, and other industry professionals to advocate for New Leaf Energy’s utility scale portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Exhibit a strong understanding of utility scale business goals and proactively facilitate system analysis to identify optimal project locations
• Ensure design constructability and operational reliability while driving consensus on multidisciplinary projects and initiatives
• Lead internal strategic initiatives with minimal direction; own goal-setting, conception, planning, and execution
• Provide direct mentorship and deliver structured training to members of the utility engineering team
• Interpret and negotiate technical positions with utilities, ISOs, and regulatory standard bodies (FERC/IEEE)
• Oversee interconnection study workstreams by validating PSSE/PSCAD models and assumptions
• Lead R&D on grid-forming inverters, black-start capability, and hybrid dispatch optimization
• Author internal white papers and best-practice guides on hybrid system performance
• Provide technical support to the Design Engineering department for plant designs, including Collector Station footprint, equipment needs, and clearance
• Demonstrate expert ability in engineering software and tools, and instruct others on performing analysis and 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 for strategic decision-making
• Create and execute standard work and processes that support project development strategy for utility scale projects
• Autonomously manage third-party engineering firms to deliver on NLE deadlines (scoping, reviewing, and accountability)
• Own the creation and maintenance of technical standards and tools for utility scale projects
• Dynamically support project finance during project sale negotiations and post-closing deliverables

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of power engineering experience with significant exposure to the development business
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering (required)
• Well-organized self-starter with a genuine drive for success
• Strong project management and operational skills
• Extensive experience performing power system calculations using industry-standard software
• Strong aptitude for creative problem-solving
• Advanced understanding of power system and design engineering principles (including inverter design, system grounding, BESS design, and protection)
• In-depth knowledge of interconnection policy and the regulatory environment for utility scale projects
• Ability to lead internal strategic initiatives with minimal direction
• Expert understanding of project deadlines, milestones, and urgencies

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PE certification preferred
• Experience in substation engineering or an ISO/RTO background preferred

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways: a market-competitive base salary, above-market variable compensation, and an equity-like program that allows employees to experience the benefits of ownership. We employ a data-driven and transparent methodology to ensure compensation is externally competitive and internally equitable, guided by the New Leaf Energy compensation manual available to all employees. Under our framework, the likely base salary range for this position in the Oakland location is $201,980 - $230,480, with an on-target annual cash bonus of an additional 20% of base salary. Actual salary may vary based on location and experience, and further details will be shared during the interview process.