Senior Associate, Grid Modernization

Are you passionate about decarbonization and looking to help transform the US electricity system? Do you enjoy tackling complicated problems with robust analysis and thoughtful communication? If yes, Synapse has a position for you.

Synapse is a consulting company that has been providing rigorous analysis on behalf of public interest clients in the energy sector for more than 25 years. Our work includes expert analysis, reports, and high-impact expert witness testimony in docketed proceedings before public utility commissions across the country and in Canada. Our clients are primarily environmental non-profits, state agencies, federal agencies, and consumer and environmental advocacy groups. Synapse places great value on our staff. We are a high-energy, forward‐thinking, collaborative group with a real passion for the public interest and sustainability.

Synapse is seeking a Senior Associate with robust quantitative and writing skills with industry experience related to grid modernization. The preferred candidate will have extensive familiarity with grid modernization technologies, utility regulation, utility distribution system planning, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest issues such as sustainability, environmental justice, and consumer protection. We will also consider Associate candidates with less experience for this grid modernization role. We are looking for a candidate to start working in the Summer of 2023 in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office on a hybrid basis.

Job Description

The Senior Associate will review utility grid modernization proposals and support clients working on initiatives to establish grid modernization planning processes. The Senior Associate will also work on and manage projects related topic areas including assessment of distributed energy resources, distribution system planning, performance-based regulation, and utility regulation in general. This role combines quantitative and policy analysis to develop comments, expert witness testimony, and cutting-edge industry reports.

Your role will include:

• Leading and managing projects and proposals focused on grid modernization issues.
• Evaluating the prudence and reasonableness of proposed utility grid modernization and distribution infrastructure investment plans.
• Perform economic and policy analysis and cost-benefit assessments.
• Assessing the impact of utility investments on distributed energy resources, reliability, and resilience.
• Clearly and succinctly summarize your analysis and policy conclusions in reports, presentations, and expert witness testimony.
• Work in team environment with both senior and junior staff members.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Economics, Energy and Environmental Policy, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.
• 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.
• A strong desire to work on behalf of public interest clients in improving energy planning and policy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work and communicate well in teams.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize critical tasks and conflicting requirements.

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. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Any of the following qualifications will be considered an asset:

• Project management and budget management experience in a consulting position or in a similar role
• Engineering background and knowledge related to utility distribution systems
• State, federal, or provincial electric utility regulatory experience preferred
• Expert witness testimony experience: ability to develop persuasive arguments for testimony and reports based on analysis of quantitative and qualitative evidence

Working at Synapse

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.

Synapse offers numerous benefits to its employees:

• Generous PTO (35 days)
• Flexible work hours and holidays, and the ability to choose a schedule that works for you
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Profit-sharing bonuses
• Collaboration: everybody contributes, asks questions, proposes solutions, and works on interesting research and analysis
• Extensive professional development opportunities
• 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

Senior Associate base salary: $85,000 annually, based on a full-time schedule. Our beginning base salary range represents the floor for this position and does not include profit-sharing bonuses. Actual salaries will vary from the floor 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.

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

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe your work experience with grid modernization.

Synapse is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.