Director, Power Systems Engineering

All E3 Office Locations / Remote
Grid Modernization /
Full Time /
Hybrid
Why You Should Join the E3 Team 
 
When you join the E3 team, you will be working on some of the most important energy issues with some of the top minds in the industry. We help shape energy and climate policy, play vital roles in regulatory proceedings, advise executives, and inform investment and planning selections. At E3, you will be challenged and inspired.  
 
Who We Are 
 
Founded in 1989, Energy + Environmental Economics (E3) is a growing energy consulting firm that helps utilities, regulators, policy makers, developers, and investors make the most educated strategic decisions possible as they implement new public policies, deploy and develop new technologies, and address customers’ shifting expectations. We have offices in San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Denver, and Calgary.   
 
Because E3 works with customers from all sectors of the electricity industry, we provide a 360-degree knowledge of markets, planning, policy, regulation, and environmental factors. Just as important, we are driven to deliver clear, unbiased evaluations that help customers make informed decisions.   
 
E3 works on high-profile, high-impact projects in jurisdictions that spearhead the implementation of clean energy policy. In California, Hawai’i, and New York, we are advising state agencies and regulators about how to implement clean energy policies with an emphasis on customer incentives and markets. We are also increasingly working in regions all across North America, with utilities, regulators, developers and investors from Florida to Alberta and many places in between. 
 
The Work 
 
E3 is seeking a Director of Power Systems Engineering to lead technical and strategic engagements that help utilities and regulator transition to a more flexible, decarbonized, and distributed grid.  This role combines business development, client engagement, regulatory support, and technical contributions – ideal for a seasoned utility consultant with deep experience in grid modernization, distributed system planning, and DER integration.  
 
 
You will help develop and grow E3’s work in distributed planning, grid modernization strategy, and flexible load integration, helping clients navigate the technical, operational, and regulatory challenges of electrification, distributed energy resources, and system planning reform.  Your background should include leading multi-disciplinary teams, developing trusted client relationships, and delivering high-impact advisory services at the intersection of engineering, policy and operations.  
 
This role also includes direct support for utility distribution planning teams, where you will help refine analytical frameworks, implement advanced modeling tools, and align planning practices with emerging regulatory expectations.  In addition to project leadership, you will contribute to E3’s business development, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships in power systems planning and engineering.  

General 
- Hours: Full Time 
- Type: Exempt 
- Travel: 10-20% 
- Office Location: E3 Office (SF, Boston, NY, Denver,Calgary) or Remote 
 

Strategic Leadership and Client Engagement

    • Lead consulting engagements focused on distribution systems planning, grid modernization, and integrated grid strategy for utilities, regulators, and public agencies  
    • Serve as a trusted advisor to utility clients on DER integration, electrification, non-wires alternatives, flexible interconnection and resilience planning  
    • Partner with utility planning teams to improve internal workflows, adopt advanced modeling tools, and align distribution planning with operational practices and regulatory expectations  
    • Represent E3 in high-profile industry proceedings, rulemakings, and technical working groups, offering technical clarity and policy-aligned insights  

Technical Leadership

    • Direct and conduct advanced power systems analyses including steady-state, dynamic, and quasi-static time-series simulations for planning, reliability and hosting capacity assessments 
    • Guide the development of grid modernization roadmaps and advanced applications such as DSSE, DERMS and load flexibility coordination engines  
    • Oversee modeling efforts for flexible load potential, electrification impact forecasting and substation-level planning  
    • Provide technical oversight on interconnection studies and strategies that accommodate DERs beyond hosting capacity through coordination with storage and dispatchable flexibility  
    • Manage power systems modeling efforts using tools such as CYME, Synergi, ASPEN PowerFlow and LoadSEER 

Business Development & Practice Growth

    • Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with utilities, commissions, and energy agencies  
    • Lead proposal development, teaming strategies and capture efforts for projects related to distribution planning, grid modernization and DER integration  
    • Identify emerging opportunities in areas such as electrification, distributed operations, climate resilience and advanced distribution analytics 
    • Contribute to E3’s thought leadership through white papers, presentations, and conference participation 
    • Collaborate across E3’s practice areas to deliver integrated solutions  

Project Oversight and Team Management

    • Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary teams of engineers and consultants 
    • Oversee the delivery of complex technical and strategic projects, ensuring high quality, technical rigor and alignment with client needs 
    • Review major deliverables to ensure actionable outcomes across technical, regulatory, and business dimensions  
    • Manage budgets, schedules and client expectations to meet performance and growth goals  

Requirements

    • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field 
    • 15+ years of experience in utility consulting, distribution planning or grid modernization  
    • Demonstrated success leading large, multi-stakeholder engagements involving distribution system planning, DER integration or regulatory support  
    • Deep familiarity with utility planning practices, distribution modeling, and DER applications  
    • Proven ability to engage with clients at all levels, including executives, regulators, and technical staff 
    • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and public speaking  

Things That Set You Apart

    • M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related field 
    • Experience with California regulatory processes  
    • Technical leadership in developing: Flexible load roadmaps and end-use disaggregation, DERMS business integration frameworks and cost benefit analysis, flexible interconnection protocols where DERs exceed hosting capacity and/or grid modernization filings and DSIPs 
    • Familiarity with non-wires alternatives, demand response strategy and climate resilience planning  
    • Recognized contributions to industry standards, technical committees or national grid modernization initiatives  
    • PMP certification or experience managing large, interdisciplinary consulting teams  
$215,000 - $285,000 a year
E3 takes several factors into consideration when determining title and salary level for a potential new employee. This includes, but is not limited to a candidate’s education, training, and relevant work experience; the position's work location; expected quality and quantity of work; required travel (if any); external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems; and internal pay alignment.​ 
​ 
E3 also provides a bonus structure that we are proud of because we believe it creates the right kinds of incentives for good work, provides significant flexibility, and is fair and equitable. The below compensation outlines our total compensation package with our bonus structure adding between 15 - 35% to your base salary. While neither the upper or lower end of our bonus structure is capped, this provides a representation of the average total compensation based on both your personal performance and the company's performance. ​ 

Annual Total Compensation Range for Senior Distribution Planning Engineer   ​ 
- Minimum: $215,000 
- Maximum: $285,000 
Work Environment 
 
Hybrid and flexible work environment that adapts to changing needs of projects. E3 thrives in a strong collaborative office-based working environment but has also adapted to a hybrid work environment, where fully remote employees can alsothrive. Must be able to work for extended hours in front of a computer screen and conduct meetings on the telephone and virtually.  
 
E3’s Commitment to You 
 
E3 provides abundant opportunities for professional growth and invests significantly in employee development. Right from the start, our team works hard to provide you with a customized multi-week onboarding experience where you will meet with colleagues, Partners, and your own mentor. Every September, all new hires attend E3’s proprietary internally developed 22-course training program which broadens your foundational industry-specific knowledge as well as develops those skills essential to being a great consultant. E3 also provides every employee with an annual professional development stipend, opportunities to attend conferences, and personalized career development at every stage of your employment.  
 
In addition, E3 offers employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits and supportive perks to support you both personally and professionally. Some benefits include:  
- Base and bonus commensurate with experience and performance 
- Wellness stipend 
- Flexible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays 
- Fitness and wellness corporate discounts 
- Professional Development annual stipend 
 
Hiring Process and Timeline 
 
Finding new team members that are a good fit is important to us, so we spend significant time in our recruiting process evaluating candidates. Qualified candidates can expect a phone interview, to engage in a technical exercise and associated interview, and a final set of interviews. Our process takes around 6-8 weeks to complete. E3 is seeking to hire consultants throughout the year and are prepared to make offers to candidatesmonths in advance of their start date.  
 
EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement 
 
Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, disability, military status, veteran status, pregnancy or predisposing genetic characteristics. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.  
 
Willdan Group Inc. participates in E-Verify 
 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.