Senior Associate, Transmission or Distribution

About the role

Synapse Energy Economics is seeking a Transmission and Distribution Engineer with robust quantitative skills and industry experience with utility distribution and transmission. The ideal candidate will have extensive familiarity with electric transmission or distribution system engineering and operations, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest issues such as sustainability, environmental justice, and consumer protection.

Job Responsibilities

• Evaluate transmission and distribution issues associated with resource plans and/or projects from utilities or developers in conjunction with the economic and policy analysis at Synapse.
• Provide technical analysis to supplement our project work involving energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, electricity rates, electric vehicles, environmental regulations, and electricity markets.
• Perform technical and economic analyses that incorporate the effect of transmission and distribution investments, including, for example, estimation of avoided T&D costs associated with distributed energy resources.
• Clearly and succinctly summarize complex technical concepts to clients, regulators, and public audiences through papers, presentations, testimony, and meetings.
• Defend analysis and refute opposing viewpoints and analysis.
• Work in team environment with both senior and junior staff members.
• Create, maintain, and utilize spreadsheet models and/or software tools to analyze transmission and distribution investments and plans.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, preferably with an emphasis on electric power systems.
• 5+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Master's or Bachelor's Degree, or 2+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Doctorate.
• A strong desire to work on behalf of public interest clients in improving energy planning and policy.
• Proficiency to review, evaluate, and analyze technical information, policies, and reports.
• Broad perspective of the utility business and thorough knowledge of concepts and systems related to transmission and distribution.
• Thorough knowledge of fundamental engineering/economic principles and concepts.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable policies, rules, regulations, and codes related to electric distribution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to develop persuasive arguments for testimony and reports based on analysis of quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• Ability to work and communicate well in teams.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize critical tasks and conflicting requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or Doctorate.
• State, federal, provincial electric utility regulatory experience.
• Power flow modeling software experience.
• Experience commissioning distribution automation and substation equipment, and/or experience with distribution system planning including assessment of hosting capacity for solar PV or other distributed generation on distribution systems.
• Expert Testimony experience.
• Licensed Electrical Professional Engineer (PE).
• Consulting experience.

Pay

Senior Associate base salary range is $84,000-$126,000 annually, based on a full-time schedule. Our base salary range does not include profit-sharing bonuses. Actual salaries will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance.

Schedule

Synapse currently supports a hybrid work environment so our staff can find the right mix of support, collaboration, and flexibility. While we prefer employees located locally so we can nurture this environment, we will consider remote candidates where such an arrangement is compatible with our clients’ work.

Benefits

• Generous PTO (35 days)
• Flexible work hours and holidays
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Work-life balance benefit: at the end of the year, salaried employees are compensated for every hour worked over their standard full-time work schedule
• Discrentionary annual bonus, subject to company performance
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): a tax-deferred retirement plan that offers employees a chance to be partial owners of Synapse.
• 401K plan; Synapse makes a safe harbor contribution of 3% salary
• Short- and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Collaboration: everybody contributes, asks questions, proposes solutions, and works on interesting research and analysis
• Extensive professional development opportunities
• Cambridge, MA office space with sit-stand desks, lots of meeting space, indoor bike parking, and plenty of nitro cold-brew and kombucha on tap

Company Culture

We are a high-energy, forward-thinking, collaborative group with a real passion for public interest and sustainability.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Synapse is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe your experience and interest in Transmission and/or Distribution.