Principal/Transmission Strategy and Planning Expert (Energy practice)

About Charles River Associates

Since 1965, Charles River Associates has been a premier consulting firm that offers employees a place to learn from a diverse group of consultants, industry experts, and academics.  At CRA you will be exposed to leading minds who use economic, financial, and business analysis to solve complex world problems for an impressive roster of clients, including major law firms, Fortune 100 companies, and government agencies.  Through a collegial environment, formal and informal training opportunities, and a broad array of professional development resources, your experience at CRA will open doors for you as you launch your career.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Principal – Transmission Strategy and Planning to play a leadership role in delivering high-impact advisory services across transmission planning, interconnection, and grid strategy engagements.

Role and Responsibilities

As a Principal, you will lead client engagements and provide strategic and technical expertise across a range of transmission planning and market-related issues. You will be expected to operate as both a thought leader and a client advisor, while building and managing high-performing teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead transmission planning and strategy engagements, including regional and local transmission planning, interconnection strategy, and evaluation of transmission expansion opportunities 
•  Advise clients on planning processes and regulatory frameworks, including RTO/ISO planning (e.g., MISO, PJM, SPP), FERC policies, and state-level transmission initiatives 
•  Apply and interpret advanced power system and market models, including power flow, production cost, and capacity expansion tools, to inform planning and investment decisions 
•  Support large load and generation interconnection strategy, including queue positioning, cost allocation, and timing considerations for utilities, developers, and hyperscale customers 
•  Provide commercial and strategic insight on transmission development, including project economics, risk assessment, and implications for rates and cost recovery 
•  Serve as a senior advisor in stakeholder processes, including regulatory proceedings, technical working groups, and investor diligence efforts 
•  Lead and mentor project teams, ensuring high-quality, defensible, and client-ready deliverables 
•  Drive business development, including maintaining existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and shaping new service offerings in transmission and grid strategy 
•  Communicate complex findings clearly through executive presentations, written reports, and expert testimony

Desired Qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Engineering Economics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred 
•  10+ years of experience in transmission planning, power system analysis, or electricity market modeling 
•  Deep familiarity with RTO/ISO transmission planning processes, interconnection procedures, and cost allocation frameworks 
•  Experience with power system and market modeling tools (e.g., PSS®E, PSLF, PROMOD, Aurora, or similar) and translating results into actionable insights 
•  5+ years of leadership experience, including managing project teams and overseeing complex engagements 
•  Demonstrated experience engaging with regulators, utilities, developers, or large energy users on transmission-related issues 
•  Proven track record in business development and client relationship management 
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to executive audiences 
•  Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to structure and lead analyses on ambiguous and evolving issues 
•  Commitment to mentorship, team development, and collaborative project execution

To Apply

To be considered for a position in the United States, we require the following:

• Resume – please include current address, personal email and telephone number;
• Cover letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals.

If you are interested in applying for one of our international locations, please visit our Careers site to view and apply for available jobs.

Career Growth and Benefits 

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through f