Senior Associate, Grid Integration and Markets - Carbon-Free Electricity Program

Job Description:

RMI is seeking a Senior Associate who understands how power systems work, can model the impacts of innovative technologies to inform better planning, and can use these results to help stakeholders reform markets and regulation. If that is you, we invite you to join our Carbon-Free Electricity program’s growing global team.   

Applicants should be passionate about ensuring an equitable energy transition, and excited about work outside the US. 

We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. 

Application deadline: Friday July 17th, 11:59pm CT

Program Overview 

The Global Electricity Transition (GET) team within RMI’s Carbon-Free Electricity (CFE) program supports the transition of electricity systems globally to support countries in developing clean, affordable, reliable, secure, and economically competitive power systems. We work with power sector decisionmakers to meet these goals through integration of low-cost renewable energy, storage and grid flexibility, and distributed energy resources. We employ a unique combination of research, direct engagement, and collaboration to support individuals and organizations to create and implement transformative energy solutions, including innovative business models, regulation, market design, and operational strategies.   

Position Overview    

The GET team seeks a Senior Associate to analyze and model power systems from physical and technoeconomic perspectives. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated work experience and expertise in grid-scale operations and analyses. As a deep subject matter expert working across a range of geographies and topics, this Senior Associate will combine their technical expertise with strong project execution and task management skills to keep multiple workstreams on track in parallel. This includes working collaboratively with RMI regional teams in Southeast Asia, India, and sub-Saharan Africa across diverse geographies such as Colombia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa.

Examples of your projects might include: 

• Conducting power system analysis to evaluate grid flexibility needs at a national level, and identifying innovative market or regulatory mechanisms to enable cost-effective integration of clean energy resources.  

• Estimating the potential cost savings that grid-forming resources could create if deployed at scale, and creating guidance for power sector decisionmakers on how to achieve them.  

• Developing approaches that utilities and system operators can use to better plan under uncertainty and optimize investments to avoid lock-in and stranded assets. 

• Supporting an electricity regulator to develop a framework for integrating large loads into the grid while maximizing system benefits and protecting customers from cost shifts.  

• Co-authoring thought leadership products on solutions to emerging power sector challenges and priorities. 

This role will report to a Manager on the Carbon-Free Electricity Program.

Core Responsibilities 

• Serve as a subject matter expert on power systems within your project teams, ensuring technical rigor and feasibility of proposed solutions. 

• Independently scope and execute multiple analytical workstreams in parallel, especially those related to markets and grids-focused projects, and support team members in scoping and executing analyses. 

• Locate, synthesize, and analyze data that allows RMI to shed new light on problems and devise creative solutions.  

• Use your research and analysis to develop hypotheses, insights, and recommendations that accelerate clean energy deployment, drawing on various change levers such as deployment of technical solutions, capacity building, mobilization of capital, or power sector planning.  

• Advise on and/or help implement RMI's use of key modeling and analytical tools and resources (e.g., power flow models, production cost models, resource adequacy models, accreditation methods, etc.) and apply this to: 

• Use, improve, and quality-control both your and teammates existing models. 

• Develop systems to share and organize technical work across project teams. 

• Mentor staff to develop and use these tools / skill sets. 

• Research novel tools and analytical options that RMI could leverage in future project work, including software innovations such as automation, AI, etc. 

• With support from senior staff, structure and create presentations and writing that bring new insights to partners in a clear and compelling manner.  

• Contribute publicly at conferences, share expertise in response to media requests, and establish and maintain relationships with a network of technical experts that RMI may collaborate with. 

• Travel up to 20%, including internationally. 

Required Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in an applicable field such as engineering (power systems, mechanical, electrical, civil), economics, computer science, or mathematics. 

• 4+ years of relevant professional and/or research experience in related fields, such as grid regulation, market operations, utility strategy, engineering, or other fields relevant to the transition of electricity systems to clean energy. 

• Demonstrated track record in a project-based work environment and of significant work products (e.g., consulting deliverables, peer-reviewed publications, etc.) on topics relevant to this role. 

• Excellent time management, organization, entrepreneurship, and drive. 

• Strong entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to think creatively about solutions and change levers. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Direct power systems work experience in the electric utility industry, consulting, grid technology companies, or at an electric regulatory agency,  ideally with knowledge of both vertically integrated/state-owned and deregulated markets. 

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: (i) demand flexibility, (ii) energy storage business models, (iii) utility regulation, (iv) electricity market design, (v) electricity planning (vi) distributed energy integration, (vi) transmission development and planning, (vii) innovative power sector technologies.   

• Track record of applied work directly with electricity industry stakeholders including energy ministries, utilities, grid operators, regulators, DER service providers, or other NGOs. 

• Interest and ability to communicate technical insights to a general audience. 

• Track record of delivering real-world impact through your work.   

We encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds from a variety of industries along with many but not necessarily all the skills listed above. We offer professional learning and training opportunities to help you develop the skills you may not have had the opportunity to cultivate yet.   

Visa Sponsorship

Please note: At this time, RMI is not able to sponsor employment visas or hire candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the United States. All candidates must have current, independent authorization to work in the U.S. without present or future sponsorship from RMI. We will update our hiring pages if this status changes.

Location    

We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado, and Basalt, Colorado. This role can be located from anywhere in the continental United States.  

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.  

We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process. 

Compensation  

At RMI, we prioritize fairness in our pay practices. Salaries are determined based on a mix of experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity across similar roles. The salary range of this position is $84,000-$103,000. New hires typically start toward the lower end of the range, depending on experience and alignment with the role’s scope. In addition to base salary, this position includes an annual bonus target of 5% and eligibility for merit-based increases, which are tied to both individual and organizational performance. 

Benefits    

We offer an array of benefits including: 

• Medical, dental, vision insurance 

• 403b retirement match with immediate vesting 

• Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability 

• Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans 

• Health savings or flexible spending accounts 

• Fertility and hormonal health support 

• Mental health and wellness support 

• Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave) 

• Generous paid time off and sick leave 

• Paid sabbatical leave 

• Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography  

• Work from home and home technology allowances 

• Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget) 

• Potential for bonuses and merit increases 

• Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.)  

• Hybrid / remote work options 

• Team retreats and geographic meetups 

• Rewards and recognition programs 

Diversity      

We know that the diversity of our teams makes us stronger as an organization, and RMI is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity as outlined in U.S. federal law. We prohibit discrimination against applicants, interns, and employees on the basis of any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: age (40 and over), race, color, sex, pregnancy (including lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, uniformed service member status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other applicable status protected by applicable law.

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.