Principal Utility Electrical Engineer

New Leaf Energy is an experienced clean energy developer that partners with landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. We identify high-value sites, work with landowners and local communities to develop them, and partner with long-term asset owners to bring the most impactful clean energy projects to life.

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 project 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.

Ideally this position will be filled from a New Leaf office location, although we will consider remote applicants. This position will report to the Manager of Interconnection Engineering.

Position Responsibilities

• Exhibit a strong understanding of Regional Team goals and proactively facilitate system analysis to identify optimal project locations;
• Lead internal strategic initiatives with minimal direction (own and maintain A4 – conception and execution);
• Develop and mentor less experienced engineers;
• Expert ability in software 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 Regional Team, and act as an internal consultant to assist with strategic decision‑making;
• Create and execute standard work and processes that support Regional teams and the developer’s strategy for a particular region;
• Autonomously manage third‑party engineering firms to deliver on NLE deadlines (includes scoping, reviewing, and holding them accountable to NLE deadlines);
• Ownership in the creation and maintenance of technical standards and tools;
• Professional engineer with the ability to review and stamp other UEE’s work;
• Ability to dynamically support project finance during MIPA negotiations and post‑closing (7C‑MIPA and MIPA‑Closeout);
• Train and onboard new team members through organized team trainings or one‑on‑one meetings;
• Ability to seamlessly incorporate feedback and input from Policy and Finance team members into current bid‑set designs.

Desired Qualifications

Compensation

New Leaf Energy compensates all employees in three ways : a market‑competitive base salary, plus above‑market variable compensation, and 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 $177,330 – $202,360. The on‑target annual cash bonus associated with this position is an additional 20% 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 & 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 :

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

New Leaf Energy is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes or third‑party recruiters unless a signed agreement is in place and recruiting assistance is authorized by the People + Culture team. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local non‑discrimination laws in hiring and employment practices.

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