Project Developer - Utility-Scale Renewable Energy (Solar & BESS)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:
The Project Developer is responsible for leading the full lifecycle development of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects from early-stage origination through Ready-to-Build (RTB) and Notice to Proceed (NTP) and supporting the construction team up to Commercial Operation Date (COD). This role serves as the development lead, driving strategy, risk mitigation, value optimization, and cross-functional coordination across technical, commercial, regulatory, and financial workstreams.

The Project Developer operates with a high degree of autonomy, manages complex stakeholder environments, and plays a key role in delivering bankable projects that meet internal return thresholds and financing requirements.

• Lead development strategy for a portfolio of utility-scale solar and BESS projects (100MW+ typical scale).
• Drive projects from greenfield screening through RTB – NTP and COD from a development standpoint.
• Establish development budgets, schedules, risk registers, and milestone tracking.
• Present projects to Investment Committee and executive leadership.
• Identify high-quality project opportunities using transmission, market, and policy analysis.
• Structure and negotiate complex land agreements (lease, option, purchase).
• Evaluate acquisition opportunities and conduct development diligence.
• Lead interconnection strategy and manage queue positioning.
• Oversee utility engagement, system impact studies, and upgrade negotiations.
• Optimize project design relative to grid constraints and congestion risks.
• Develop and execute permitting roadmap across local, state, and federal jurisdictions.
• Oversee environmental studies and mitigation strategies.
• Lead public hearings, community outreach, and government engagement.
• Manage external consultants (engineering, environmental, legal, permitting).
• Coordinate with EPC, procurement, and construction teams for constructability input.
• Structure projects to meet corporate, utility, and data center offtake requirements.
• Support tax equity, debt financing, and M&A diligence processes.
• Support Origination and Marketing teams for offtake, PPA, tolling, and/or merchant strategies.

  Qualifications:

• 5–7+ years of renewable energy development experience.
• Proven track record advancing utility-scale solar and/or BESS projects to RTB or NTP.
• Deep understanding of interconnection processes and power markets.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or PE license preferred
• Advanced negotiation skills
• Financial and commercial fluency
• Regulatory and market expertise
• Executive presence and communication
• Risk identification and mitigation