Head of Interconnection & Transmission

Title: Interconnection & Transmission Manager
Hours: Full time; Salaried
Location: Salt Lake City UT possibly open to remote or hybrid
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Manager: Ryan McGraw

Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source on the planet yet it remains under-deployed because it has historically been hard to find and expensive to build. Zanskar is changing that equation using advanced exploration technology to discover new geothermal resources at unprecedented scale and now moving a multi-gigawatt portfolio toward construction and operation.

Grid access is a gating factor for projects throughout our portfolio. Zanskar has filed (and plans to file many more) interconnection requests across multiple transmission owners in WECC spanning NV Energy PacifiCorp PNM rural cooperatives and some instances well also seek to secure firm point-to-point transmission service to deliver power to off-takers across the western United States.

We are hiring a Head of Interconnection & Transmission to own this function end-to-end. You will set the interconnection and transmission strategy for the company lead a high-volume queue management operation negotiate directly with utilities and ISOs coordinate with our internal project delivery team throughout planning and construction and build the team and systems needed to scale across a rapidly growing portfolio.

This is a senior leadership role with direct visibility to the executive team significant cross-functional influence and the autonomy to shape how Zanskar ultimately delivers firm carbon-free energy.

Success in this role includes obtaining interconnection and transmission rights for Zanskars geothermal projects that align with our goals to place these projects in service. This will require cross-functional alignment with our teams building a plan for when where and how to file new requests and building key relationships with utilities and third-party developers to unlock creative solutions.

Near-term and long-term expectations will be measured against your ability to:

• Develop and socialize a comprehensive interconnection and transmission roadmap across WECC showing expected budgets schedules and critical decision points for each active and planned queue position;
• Establish and socialize an internal request process for interconnection and transmission filings defining what information is required from cross-functional teams when it is needed and how requests are prioritized;
• Execute submission of new interconnection and transmission service requests with detailed oversight of a significant annual budget;
• Manage existing interconnection agreements and study requests to ensure alignment with near-term company goals;
• Develop creative solutions to accelerate additional interconnection capacity including evaluation of potential acquisition targets and partnerships with third parties;
• Identify procure or build analytical tools and systems to evaluate injection capacity and transmission availability across the portfolio replacing ad hoc analysis with repeatable scalable processes; and
• Provide clear data-driven recommendations at each project milestone on whether to proceed hold or withdraw interconnection requests with full visibility into cost schedule and risk trade-offs.

Define and execute Zanskars interconnection strategy across WECC and CAISO with an eye toward expanding into additional U.S. markets. Develop queue management frameworks that optimize filing timing queue position and cost exposure across a diverse set of transmission owners and queue types (e.g. cluster processes serial processes distribution-level requests non-FERC jurisdictional processes).

Conduct or oversee power flow studies interconnection cost estimates gen-tie routing analysis and network upgrade assessments whether performed in-house or by external consultants. Lead technical diligence on potential acquisitions of third-party projects. Build or procure analytical tools that enable desktop-level screening of interconnection viability across the portfolio.

Lead all queue submissions study analyses (System Impact Studies Facilities Studies) and interconnection agreement negotiations. Manage a high-volume pipeline of concurrent filings across multiple utilities tracking milestones deposits and decision points for each.

Serve as Zanskars primary point of contact with transmission owners utilities ISOs and regulatory stakeholders on all interconnection and transmission matters. Build the relationships necessary to navigate complex utility processes and negotiate favorable outcomes.

Own the interconnection and transmission budget tracking committed and forecasted spend against each filing. Provide transparent risk assessments and clear proceed/hold/withdraw recommendations at appropriate milestones.

Work closely with Development Subsurface Land & Permitting EPC Finance and Commercial teams to ensure interconnection and transmission timelines are aligned with project development schedules contractual commitments and capital plans. Surface conflicts early and drive resolution.

Ability to connect interconnection decisions to broader commercial and development outcomes. Thinks beyond the queue to understand how grid access shapes project value.

Proven ability to drive alignment across technical and commercial disciplines without relying on positional authority. Brings clarity to complex multi-stakeholder decisions involving development finance permitting and engineering teams.

Strong technical foundation in power systems power flow analysis and interconnection cost estimation. Ability to oversee and quality-check consultant work product and translate technical findings into clear business recommendations.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Able to present complex interconnection and transmission topics clearly to executive leadership board members and external counterparties. Strong technical writing for regulatory and utility-facing communications.

• BS in related field; Masters in a relevant subject area a plus
• 5 years of interconnection or transmission project leadership

• Salt Lake City UT
• Full-time; Salaried with equity participation
• Paid holidays and 18 days PTO
• Medical dental and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Paid parental leave
• A direct impact in displacing carbon emissions and growth opportunities in a rapidly scaling clean-energy company