Director, Engineering and Planning

Director, Engineering and Planning

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range:  $190,000 - $215,000 plus bonus and incentive stock options

Reports to: Vice President of Project Development

About The Company:

NineDot's name derives from the classic mathematical puzzle for sparking out-of-the-box solutions. As a leading community-scale, clean energy developer with a growing portfolio of projects across a range of technologies, NineDot Energy is creating innovative energy solutions that support a more resilient electric grid, deliver economic savings, address environmental justice, and reduce carbon emissions. We plan to develop, build and operate more than 400 MW of clean energy systems by 2026 that will strengthen the local power grid infrastructure and provide clean, reliable and resilient power to tens of thousands of New York households and businesses. This is all in support of New York State’s mission to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

With the backing of Manulife Investment Management and Carlyle Group - two of the world’s leading infrastructure investors - NineDot is continuing to expand its core battery energy storage pipeline, deliver enhanced products and services, explore new regions and consider potential acquisitions all to advance the decarbonization of New York’s grid. This is an exciting opportunity to build a platform from the ground-up with a world-class team of developers and innovators. NineDot is committed to building a company that exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion values in its team culture, as well as business practices and community engagement.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Project Development, the Director, Engineering and Planning will lead our Engineering and Planning teams and work directly with all levels of management throughout the organization to oversee the engineering design and permitting activities of our project development portfolio. This role involves people leadership, strategic planning, program management, and heavy coordination with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful project development and execution.

Roles and responsibilities

• Lead the planning and engineering of renewable energy projects, including design, feasibility studies, interconnection application, and permitting processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure projects align with company goals and regulatory requirements.
• Direct and manage the engineering team in designing, permitting, optimizing, and implementing renewable energy systems.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, codes, and regulations in all engineering activities.
• Identify and allocate resources effectively to meet project timelines and budgetary constraints.
• Work closely with the finance and operations teams to optimize project costs without compromising quality.
• Foster relationships with regulatory authorities, local communities, industry groups, and other stakeholders to facilitate project approvals and community engagement.
• Represent the company in meetings with regulatory agencies, industry groups, and community forums.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize project delays and financial impacts.
• Stay informed about industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes to anticipate challenges.

Competencies for Success

• Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; conducts excellent and honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answer.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Able to relate well to all individuals within and beyond the organization; builds appropriate rapport along with constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
• Perseverance - Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Dealing With Ambiguity - Can effectively cope with change and shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture.
• Creativity - Capable of coming up with new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions.
• Technical Learning - Picks up on technical things quickly, capable of learning new skills and knowledge, good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge.
• Intellectual Horsepower - Demonstrated ability to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably; described as intellectually sharp, capable, and agile.
• Devel