Director, Interconnection
Scout is seeking a Director of Interconnection to lead the company’s interconnection function and advance its strategy across a growing portfolio of utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects in the United States and Canada. This role serves as Scout’s subject matter leader for generator interconnection, transmission service strategy, grid integration, and interconnection engineering activities from project origination through commercial operation.
Responsibilities
- Lead the execution and continuous advancement of Scout’s interconnection strategy across utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects.
- Develop recommendations, decision-making frameworks, and portfolio prioritization strategies related to interconnection and transmission activities.
- Partner with Development Leadership to evaluate Point of Interconnection (POI) opportunities, transmission access strategies, and queue management approaches.
- Provide strategic guidance regarding market selection, project positioning, and interconnection-related development risks.
- Advise Development Leadership and Executive Management on regulatory developments, transmission planning initiatives, ISO/RTO reforms, and emerging market trends that may impact Scout’s portfolio.
- Lead interconnection-related due diligence efforts supporting project acquisitions, development partnerships, and greenfield project development opportunities.
- Prepare and present portfolio updates, technical findings, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
- Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Interconnection team capable of supporting Scout’s expanding development pipeline.
- Establish team objectives, performance expectations, and professional development plans aligned with company priorities.
- Provide coaching and technical mentorship to interconnection managers, engineers, and consultants.
- Lead workforce planning, resource allocation, and prioritization efforts across a diverse portfolio of projects and markets.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Support recruiting, onboarding, succession planning, and talent development initiatives to strengthen organizational capabilities.
- Oversee generator interconnection requests, transmission service requests, study milestones, deposits, timelines, and utility interactions across Scout’s portfolio.
- Direct the evaluation of interconnection feasibility, system impact, affected system, and limited operation studies.
- Lead the review and assessment of electrical designs, including collection systems, project substations, generation tie lines, and related infrastructure.
- Manage technical evaluations of project risks, upgrade cost exposure, schedule impacts, and grid integration challenges.
- Provide leadership and direction to external engineering consultants performing transmission, interconnection, and injection studies.
- Support the negotiation and execution of interconnection agreements, transmission-related agreements, and utility coordination activities.
- Establish governance processes for evaluating study outcomes and key interconnection-related decisions.
- Serve as Scout’s primary representative for interconnection-related matters with utilities, ISOs, RTOs, consultants, and other external stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with transmission providers, utilities, and industry participants to support project advancement.
- Lead discussions related to complex interconnection and transmission issues affecting Scout’s projects.
- Represent Scout in stakeholder meetings, technical working groups, and industry organizations as appropriate.
- Monitor transmission planning activities and policy developments to identify potential opportunities and risks for Scout’s portfolio.
- Develop and maintain standardized processes, procedures, tools, templates, and governance frameworks supporting interconnection activities across Scout.
- Establish key performance indicators and reporting tools that improve visibility into project status, risks, schedules, and costs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance project execution, forecasting accuracy, and organizational efficiency.
- Partner with Development, Engineering, Construction, Asset Management, and Finance teams to improve cross-functional workflows and decision-making processes.
- Lead efforts to implement new technologies, reporting tools, and data management solutions that support portfolio growth.
- Capture lessons learned and implement best practices across projects, markets, and regions.
- Develop interconnection-related budget forecasts and capital planning assumptions in partnership with Development Leadership and Finance.
- Oversee forecasting and tracking of interconnection deposits, study costs, consultant budgets, transmission charges, and related expenditures.
- Provide portfolio-level visibility into interconnection costs, schedule impacts, and development risks.
- Evaluate project economics and provide recommendations regarding queue participation, project advancement, technology modifications, and transmission investments.
- Support financing, acquisition, and investment decision processes through technical diligence, risk assessment, and financial analysis.
- Own, coordinate, and participate in complex, cross-functional initiatives by translating organizational priorities into clear plans, timelines, and deliverables.
- Build, sustain, and engage in effective cross-functional working groups by intentionally engaging partners with a diverse range of experience, expertise, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches.
- Lead and effectively engage in cross-team meetings and forums with clear purpose and structure, balancing competing stakeholder needs while guiding groups toward decisions, next steps, and accountability.
- Act as a connector and point of integration across teams by ensuring information flows clearly, risks and tradeoffs are addressed early, and teams understand how their work fits into the larger system.
- Navigate ambiguity and competing priorities by exercising sound judgment, adapting plans as needed, and maintaining forward momentum.
- Model inclusive collaboration and influence without authority, creating space for diverse viewpoints while driving alignment and commitment to shared outcomes.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in generation interconnection, transmission planning, utility engineering, renewable energy development, or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in utility-scale renewable energy project development and interconnection processes.
- Experience working with utilities, transmission providers, ISOs, and RTOs.
- Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of FERC regulations, OATT tariffs, generator interconnection procedures, and transmission planning processes.
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to translate complex technical analyses into actionable business recommendations.
- Previous people leadership experience, including hiring, coaching, mentoring, and performance management responsibilities.
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
- Experience with energy storage and hybrid renewable energy technologies.
- Power system modeling experience using PSSE, PowerWorld, TARA, or similar tools.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Schedule
This position will begin as soon as possible, preferably in Q3 2026. The ideal candidate will be based in Scout’s Boulder, CO office, though remote arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.
Benefits
- Base salary: $200,000 - $225,000 (negotiable for the right candidate).
- Attractive bonus potential.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with attractive premiums.
- 401(k) match.
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Optional supplemental insurance coverage.
About Scout
Scout values mission-orientation, teamwork, safety, integrity, initiative, and intelligence. We celebrate diversity of thought and experience and encourage applications from all demographics, especially those traditionally underrepresented in the energy industry. Veterans of the United States Armed Forces are also strongly encouraged to apply.