Principal Engineer, Origination

Company Orenda is on a mission to make the grid more efficient with renewable energy projects and proprietary asset management technology. We develop, build, own and operate battery energy storage projects in dense urban environments to bridge the gap between renewables and electricity consumption. About the Team The Origination Team works to identify potential project sites, performs preliminary site diligence, prepares and submits interconnection application packages, interprets system studies, and manages the ever-growing pipeline of development opportunities. The output of the Origination Team is proof of commercial, electrical, and physical viability for future green energy infrastructure projects. <br /> About the Role This role is the senior technical authority of Origination Engineering. You lead the technical negotiations that affect our projects. In the next 6 months, you will take ownership of the design standards behind a 100+ project ConEd portfolio, drive specification optimizations into production, and shape how we enter the next market. Reports to the Director, Origination Engineering . <br /> This role is ideal for: a senior electrical engineer with experience in the interconnection process and passion to derive critical engineering decisions against a tight budget and small footprint. <br /> Own the design templates, product narrative, and technical directives inside the OE process documents. <br /> Optimize the standard design so every project leaving origination is optimized for cost and footprint. <br /> Efficiently review and stamp drawing packages. <br /> Qualify new technologies and OEMs (battery platforms, EV charging) for compatibility with our process. <br /> Lead escalated technical negotiations with utility engineering on substation upgrades, cost deduplication, and cost sharing. <br /> Mentor the Staff Electrical Engineer and Designer through structured technical review. <br /> Absorb breaking changes in utility specifications and ship the process update within days. <br /><br /> 8+ years in power systems, distribution planning, or DER interconnection engineering <br />~ A track record of creating design standards, templates, or engineering processes <br />~ Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field <br /><br /><br /> Preferred Qualifications (Bonus) <br /> Battery storage project exposure (BESS, PCS, switchgear)<br /> Master's degree in electrical engineering or power systems <br /><br /> Templating and standardization: converts engineering judgment into templates and technical directives that non senior roles can execute correctly every day. <br /> Precedent level negotiation: wins scope and policy discussions with utility engineering <br /> Product and OEM evaluation: qualifies new technology or equipment for compatibility with the process. <br /> Mentorship: raises the Staff Engineer's and Designer's technical bar with structured review. <br /> Takes ownership and delivers on personal and team commitments. <br /> Work Environment This is a full-time, in-office position requiring work from our headquarters (Brooklyn, NY) five days a week, with regular travel to project sites within the NYC area. <br /> At Orenda, you'll help build the real-world infrastructure that makes the energy transition possible. You'll do this in a mission-driven culture that values ownership, accountability, continuous learning, high performance, and genuine collaboration. Base Salary: The anticipated base salary range for this full-time position in New York City is $150,000-$420,000 per year. Bonus: In addition to the base salary, this role is eligible for a significant annual performance-based bonus. <br /> Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy; We do not discriminate in any aspect of employmentincluding hiring, promotion, compensation, or terminationon the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. <br /> #BI-DNP