Heartland Joule, LLC Interconnection Design Engineer Remote · Full time

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Specialized Utility & Project Development Expertise Heartland Joule empowers energy and infrastructure stakeholders with hands-on consulting and strategic support across the full project lifecycle. From renewable generation to data center development, we connect the dots between load, land, and line to accelerate projects, reduce risk, and deliver resilient, future-ready solutions. Heartland Joule serves as a trusted guide through the increasingly complex grid interconnection process. We combine deep technical expertise with real-time market insight to help clients navigate evolving utility, ISO, and RTO requirements with confidence. Acting as an extension of our clients’ teams, we engage directly with utilities and transmission providers—translating ambiguity into clear strategy and actionable next steps. This is especially critical for large load and data center developers, who are operating within newly defined and rapidly changing interconnection frameworks that require greater study, coordination, and transmission-level engagement. Our value is in helping clients augment their team with experienced resources in order to avoid missteps, reduce risk, and accelerate timelines in an environment where delays and poor positioning can be extremely costly. heartlandjoule.com

Duties

• Support development of conceptual substation and transmission interconnection configurations during site screening and feasibility evaluations.
• Review and direct the development of high-voltage substation, switching station, collector system, and transmission interconnection design deliverables prepared by engineering subcontractors, including:

o One-line diagrams

o General arrangement drawings

o Functional relay and protection philosophies

o Preliminary transmission line routing and right-of-way requirements

• Review engineering deliverables for technical accuracy, constructability, completeness, consistency, and compliance with applicable utility, ISO/RTO, client, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical direction to engineering consultants, designers, CAD drafters, and subcontractors throughout project development and execution.
• Review engineering alternatives and recommend solutions that balance reliability, schedule, cost, constructability, and operational objectives.
• Understand engineering risks, scope gaps, long-lead procurement challenges, and constructability concerns early in project development.
• Support project managers in developing project schedules, risk registers, and engineering budgets.
• Participate in client meetings, utility coordination calls, engineering workshops, and design review sessions.
• Develop preliminary and budgetary cost estimates for substations, transmission facilities, utility interconnections, and associated balance-of-plant infrastructure.
• Work with engineering partners, utilities, vendors, and construction teams to refine project cost assumptions and estimate accuracy as projects mature.
• Support technical due diligence efforts associated with project acquisitions, development opportunities, and strategic investments.
• Support development and submission of utility and ISO/RTO interconnection applications by verifying technical inputs, reviewing project assumptions, and coordinating required engineering documentation.
• Review interconnection study results and identify required system upgrades, project risks, schedule impacts, and opportunities to improve project viability.
• Assist project teams in evaluating alternative points of interconnection, voltage levels, substation configurations, and phased energization strategies.
• Provide Owner's Engineer services on behalf of clients, reviewing detailed engineering design packages, equipment specifications, calculations, studies, and construction documentation to ensure alignment with project objectives, utility requirements, industry standards, budget, and schedule expectations.
• Interact directly with clients, partners, and subcontractors to assist in the development and construction of project sites.
• Contribute to development of internal engineering standards, design review procedures, templates, and best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers, project managers, and technical staff.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to project execution, engineering quality, and client service delivery.
• Help expand the firm's technical capabilities, engineering partner network, and service offerings in support of strategic growth objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems focus preferred).
• 5–7+ years of experience in substation engineering, utility engineering, EPC project delivery, or related power infrastructure design.
• Experience with high-voltage transmission line design, routing, and interconnection facilities is a plus
• Strong understanding of utility engineering standards, NERC requirements, grid interconnection processes, and applicable industry practices.
• Familiarity with utility-scale infrastructure development, including design coordination and construction support.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams) required.
• Experience with Bluebeam, AutoCAD, or other engineering drawing review software required.
• Experience with project management and collaboration platforms such as Monday.com is a plus.
• Experience with ArcGIS, GIS-based site evaluation tools, or utility mapping platforms is a plus.
• Experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) or similar document management platforms is a plus.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled productivity tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, or similar technologies is a plus.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain licensure, is a plus.
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable engaging directly with utilities, engineering consultants, equipment vendors, developers, and project stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while exercising sound engineering judgment and decision-making.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Location: United States (Required)