Head Technical Officer

About Us

South Jersey Industries (SJI) is an energy holding company that delivers clean energy services to 700,000+ customers and businesses throughout 14 counties in New Jersey. As part of our core values, SJI is dedicated to being a community partner and developing innovative clean energy solutions to meet the needs of the future. To do this, we depend on our workforce of over 1,100+ talented, diverse employees who help us deliver safe, reliable, affordable clean energy for a better today and tomorrow.

At SJI, we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset. Whether you’re a seasoned operations technician or an early-career legal professional, our culture, inclusive workforce, and  leadership development and training programs will provide you with the tools you need to either kickstart your career or bring it to new heights.

Position Summary

The Head Technical Officer will serve as a critical member of the leadership team, responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations across our Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) asset base. This individual will lead the design, implementation, and enforcement of operational standards across a portfolio of large-scale and distributed RNG facilities, driving excellence in safety, performance, and cost discipline.

This role demands a technically proficient, cross-functional leader with a deep understanding of the RNG value chain—from anaerobic digestion through gas upgrading and injection—and a proven ability to operate at scale within a structured corporate environment. The VP, Renewable Operations will set the cultural tone for safety and reliability, develop the operations leadership bench, and create the systems needed to support rapid and flexible growth across multiple energy vectors. This position will provide leadership to the operations team supporting the performance of renewable energy assets including solar, fuel cells, and renewable natural gas.

Essential Duties:

• Collaborate with internal departments, external contractors, and logistics agencies to ensure timely project completion
• Track and analyze key plant performance metrics, implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering and technical teams
• Develop and maintain commercial cost strategies with key partners to create sustainable value
• Conduct comprehensive internal audits of EPC contractors, subcontractors, and engineering companies
• Provide technical and logistical support to construction and project managers
• Proactively monitor plant operations and implement timely problem-solving solutions
• Ensure adherence to industry-leading safety and quality standards while fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Participate in setting long-term growth strategies and develop execution plans
• Monitor industry trends and best practices in solar and energy storage technologies
• Lead the development and deployment of utility-scale and renewable energy projects, ensuring high performance, reliability, and cost effectiveness.

Required Skills:

• Passion for the renewable energy sector and a drive for operational excellence
• Deep understanding of gas processing technologies and operational performance standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite; Word, Excel, Project, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong understanding of project finance, legal contracts, accounting, and contract/warranty negotiations.
•  Knowledge of the renewable energy market and assets, and the ability to stay current with changing technologies, regulations, and trends influencing the continued adoption of renewable energy.
• Highly motivated, takes initiative, and has a desire to drive process improvement.
• Ability to learn quickly and work well under pressure, with excellent organizational and project execution skills, including the ability to handle multiple projects at once.

Qualifications

Required Background:

• Engineering degree with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience or master’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience
• A minimum of 5 year of leadership experience required

Explore the Possibilities

South Jersey Industries employs a diverse range of talent – from construction contractors to environmental specialists. Regardless of the position, mentoring and networking, hands-on experience, gaining industry knowledge and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our business and in our communities are all