Senior Associate, Transmission or Distribution

The T&D Engineer will evaluate transmission and distribution issues associated with resource plans and/or projects from utilities or developers in conjunction with the economic and policy analysis at Synapse. The ideal candidate will also provide technical analysis to supplement our project work involving energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, electricity rates, electric vehicles, environmental regulations, and electricity markets.

• Perform technical and economic analyses that incorporate the effect of transmission and distribution investments, including, for example, estimation of avoided T&D costs associated with distributed energy resources.
• Serve as a technical resource to review distribution and transmission technical solutions and modernization initiatives to improve reliability, operations, and integration of renewable resources for the electric sector.
• Create, maintain, and utilize spreadsheet models and/or software tools to analyze transmission and distribution investments and plans.
• Work in team environment with both senior and junior staff members.
• Defend analysis and refute opposing viewpoints and analysis.

We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position. Authorization to work in the United States is required to be considered.

If you have much more experience than the minimum qualifications above, you will be considered for a Principal Associate position in the Transmission and/or Distribution topic area.

Working at Synapse

You don't have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed above. If your skills are transferable or you are near the number of years of experience we seek, please apply.

Synapse Energy Economics is seeking a Transmission and Distribution Engineer with robust quantitative skills and industry experience with utility distribution and transmission. The preferred candidate will have extensive familiarity with electric transmission or distribution system engineering and operations, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest issues such as sustainability, environmental justice, and consumer protection.

• Thorough knowledge of fundamental engineering/economic principles and concepts.
• Expert Testimony experience.
• Power flow modeling software experience.
• Broad perspective of the utility business and thorough knowledge of concepts and systems related to transmission and distribution.
• Licensed Electrical Professional Engineer (PE).
• Ability to work and communicate well in teams.
• Clearly and succinctly summarize complex technical concepts to clients, regulators, and public audiences through papers, presentations, testimony, and meetings.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• 5+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Master's or Bachelor's Degree, or 2+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Doctorate.
• Consulting experience.
• Ability to develop persuasive arguments for testimony and reports based on analysis of quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable policies, rules, regulations, and codes related to electric distribution.
• Master’s Degree or Doctorate.
• Experience commissioning distribution automation and substation equipment, and/or experience with distribution system planning including assessment of hosting capacity for solar PV or other distributed generation on distribution systems.
• State, federal, provincial electric utility regulatory experience.
• Proficiency to review, evaluate, and analyze technical information, policies, and reports.
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, preferably with an emphasis on electric power systems.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize critical tasks and conflicting requirements.

Synapse prides itself on its flexible and collaborative working environment. Many staff work in-person in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office, while others are hybrid or fully virtual across the country. Synapse currently supports a hybrid work environment so our staff can find the right mix of support, collaboration, and flexibility. While we prefer employees located locally so we can nurture this environment, we will consider remote candidates where such an arrangement is compatible with our clients’ work.

Senior Associate base salary range is $84,000-$126,000 annually, based on a full-time schedule. Our base salary range does not include profit-sharing bonuses. Actual salaries will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. Synapse offers competitive market salaries, based on our primary market of nonprofits and government agencies. Our salaries reflect our work for these public interest clients.

Synapse currently supports a hybrid work environment so our staff can find the right mix of support, collaboration, and flexibility. While we prefer employees located locally so we can nurture this environment, we will consider remote candidates where such arrangement is compatible with our clients’ work.

• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous PTO (35 days)
• Flexible work hours and holidays, and the ability to choose a schedule that works for you
• 401K plan; Synapse makes a safe harbor contribution of 3% salary
• Short- and long-term disability
• Work-life balance benefit: at the end of the year, salaried employees are compensated for every hour worked over their standard full-time work schedule
• Extensive professional development opportunities
• Profit-sharing bonuses
• Cambridge, MA office space with sit-stand desks, lots of meeting space, indoor bike parking, and plenty of nitro cold-brew and kombucha on tap
• Medical, dental, and life insurance