(Sr.) Development Manager, Utility Scale Project

Location: San Diego, California

Country: United States

Category: Engineering

Workplace Location: Onsite

Employment Type: Direct Hire/Perm

Posted Date: September 18, 2026

Job ID: 652187

Job Description

Job Title(Sr.) Development Manager, Utility Scale Project
Hybrid/Remote: Hybrid, onsite 1 to 3 days/week
Location: San Diego or San Francisco, CA
Duration: Permanent, full-time
Salary Range: $120,800 to $226,100 plus 25% bonus


Job Overview:
We are seeking experienced professionals to lead the development of large-scale renewable energy assets within our West Region. These positions are deeply technical and regulatory in nature. You will be responsible for navigating the complex lifecycle of utility-scale solar, wind, and storage projects--transforming raw land into operational, grid-connected power plants. The ideal candidate possesses a mix of real estate acumen, technical understanding of power grids, and the persistence to manage multi-year permitting and interconnection timelines. You'll manage ~6 projects (3 active), lead development across solar, storage, and wind, handle permitting (including NEPA), collaborate cross-functionally, engage stakeholders, and mitigate risks. These roles focus on utility-scale renewable energy project development across solar, battery storage, and wind.

Core Responsibilities (Both Levels)

  • Site Control: Lead the identification, evaluation, and secured site control of viable land for utility-scale deployment.
  • Interconnection Management: Navigate the ISO/RTO interconnection queues and manage the technical studies required for grid injection.
  • Permitting & Entitlements: Manage the environmental and land-use permitting process at the local, state, and federal levels (including CEQA/NEPA where applicable).
  • Project Economics: Maintain rigorous project models, tracking development budgets and ensuring assets meet internal "Final Investment Decision" (FID) criteria.
  • Technical Coordination: Collaborate with specialized engineering and GIS teams to optimize site layouts and technology selection.


Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Both Levels):

  • Proven ability to deliver large-scale utility energy development projects from origination through financing and construction readiness
  • Strong contract negotiation skills with a command of the legal knowledge required for successful agreement management
  • Thorough understanding of project development risks and the ability to frame issues with context, analysis, recommendations, and risk/benefit tradeoffs for leadership
  • Demonstratable knowledge of interconnection processes, permitting, real estate, and state/federal regulation affecting renewable energy projects
  • Strong financial analysis capabilities, including experience with project economic modeling and budget management, and impacts associated with local incentives and property taxes
  • Experience with project financing structures, Power Purchase Agreements, and investor documentation
  • Effective communicator who collaborates well with senior management, peers, and external third parties across diverse backgrounds
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), GIS tools, and project management software (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms)
  • Self-starter who thrives managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with strong organizational skills and attention to detail


Job Qualifications:

  • Development Manager
    • Experience: Minimum of 8 years of directly related experience in renewable energy project development, with at least 3 years managing energy-related projects through the full development lifecycle. Direct experience in utility-scale energy, infrastructure, or heavy industrial land development
    • Technical Skills: Familiarity with power markets, land-use law, and project management software (e.g., MS Project or Primavera)
    • Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, or Environmental Science
  • Sr. Development Manager
    • Experience: A minimum of 10+ years in utility-scale renewables with a track record of successfully de-risking projects for construction. Demonstrated experience developing utility-scale solar, wind, or battery storage projects in western U.S. markets, with working knowledge of CAISO, WECC, and other relevant ISO/RTO markets
    • Expertise: Deep knowledge of power purchase agreements (PPAs), transmission constraints, and tax equity structures
    • Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional project teams and provide strategic direction for the West Region portfolio

EEO Statement

The staffing industry has seen an increase in people falsely representing themselves as recruiters to gather personal information from job seekers. For your safety, do not provide sensitive data to anyone you have not spoken with thoroughly, never provide banking information during the application process, and always double check the email address of the Recruiter to ensure it’s from an official Planet domain (@theplanetgroup.com or @launchcg.com) - and not a domain with an alternative extension like .net, .org, or .jobs.

The Planet Group and our companies are equal opportunity employers. It is our practice not to discriminate against any employee or applicant based on any criteria, condition or basis protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we do business. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion enable us to better meet our mission and values while serving our clients across the globe. If you have a disability or handicap and would like us to accommodate you in any reasonable way, please inform your recruiter, or contact us, so that we can discuss the appropriate alternatives available.

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About The Planet Group

The Planet Group is a global professional services firm delivering strategic staffing and advisory solutions. We operate at the intersection of talent and transformation – connecting the right people with the right opportunities in the areas of technology, engineering, accounting & finance, digital marketing, and manufacturing.

As one of the largest staffing companies in the US, we operate with a global reach and a performance-first mindset. We partner with clients to move fast, stay agile, and drive measurable results – building high-impact teams that fuel transformation and growth.

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