Director, Power Innovation

Basic Function

The Director, Power Innovation will build and lead SB Energy's innovation program for the Power Generation business, focused on utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and other renewable power and grid-support technologies for data centers. The role will develop the innovation strategy and multi-year roadmap; manage a disciplined portfolio and stage-gate process; and lead technology scouting, diligence, pilots, validation, and scale-up. Working across Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Grid Integration, Operations, Asset Management, Commercial, and Finance, the Lead will advance innovations that improve safety, schedule, capital cost, energy yield, availability, reliability, lifecycle value, and project competitiveness. The role will coordinate with the Data Center Innovation Lead on shared power solutions while retaining ownership of renewable-generation innovation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Power Innovation strategy. Define and maintain the multi-year innovation roadmap for utility-scale power generation technologies including solar PV, BESS, hybrid renewable plants, microgrids, grid integration, and other emerging technologies, aligned with corporate objectives and the company business plan.
• Portfolio leadership. Build and manage a balanced portfolio of core, adjacent, and transformational initiatives; prioritize high-value problems and recommend funding, sequencing, resources, and stop/continue/scale decisions.
• Opportunity discovery. Partner with Development, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Grid Integration, Operations, Asset Management, Commercial, and Finance to identify recurring problems, unmet needs, and value-creation opportunities and translate them into focused innovation challenges.
• Technology scouting. Identify, benchmark, and qualify technologies and partners across solar modules, trackers, inverters and power electronics, BESS cells and systems, controls and EMS/SCADA, thermal and fire-safety systems, long-duration storage, grid-forming capability, and other advanced renewable technologies.
• Evaluation and business cases. Assess opportunities through technical, operational, constructability, safety, code and regulatory, cybersecurity, environmental, commercial, financial, supply-chain, bankability, warranty, and implementation perspectives; develop production, total-cost-of-ownership, LCOE, and return-on-investment analyses as appropriate.
• Pilots and test programs. Prepare stage-gate submissions and manage multiple pilots from charter through closeout, including scope, budget, schedule, test plans, site selection, success criteria, measurement and verification, risk reviews, and decision recommendations.
• Safe field execution and validation. Coordinate bench, test-center, active-construction, and operating-site trials with project teams, EPC contractors, OEMs, utilities, authorities having jurisdiction, insurers, and operators while meeting safety, quality, environmental, cybersecurity, commissioning, and change-control requirements.
• Standardization and scale. Convert validated innovations into design criteria, specifications, approved products, procurement strategies, construction methods, commissioning procedures, O&M playbooks, training materials, and repeatable deployment plans.
• Project and asset integration. Support project and operating teams in applying validated technologies through development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations; track realized cost, schedule, energy, reliability, safety, and revenue benefits.
• External partnerships. Build and manage strategic relationships with technology companies, OEMs, suppliers, startups, universities, national laboratories, utilities, and investors; support partnership, investment, joint-venture, and acquisition diligence as requested.
• Cross-business coordination. Coordinate with the Data Center Innovation Lead where solar, storage, microgrids, utility interconnection, and energy-management solutions support data center opportunities, while maintaining clear ownership and decision rights between the two business lines.
• Governance and communication. Maintain portfolio dashboards, key performance indicators, budgets, risk registers, intellectual-property coordination, and executive reporting; share lessons through workshops, innovation showcases, whitepapers, and industry forums.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in power and energy engineering, technology, product development, construction, operations, or innovation, including substantial experience with utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technology, pilot, product-development, or continuous-improvement programs with accountability for budgets, decisions, schedules, and measurable business outcomes.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Materials, Industrial, or Systems Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced technical degree, MBA, and/or Professional Engineer license preferred.
• Demonstrated record of moving complex innovations from problem definition and concept development through pilot, validation, standardization, and repeatable deployment on large-scale energy projects or operating assets.
• Deep expertise in either utility-scale solar PV or BESS and working knowledge of both, including major equipment, plant architecture, controls, construction, commissioning, performance, reliability, and lifecycle considerations.
• Expertise in grid interconnection, plant controls, SCADA/EMS, grid-code compliance, hybrid renewable systems, and grid-support capabilities such as voltage, frequency, and grid-forming functions.
• Strong capability in technical and commercial diligence, energy-production and financial modeling, LCOE and total-cost-of-ownership analysis, business-case development, and benefits realization.
• Experience evaluating OEMs, suppliers, startups, and emerging technologies, including bankability, warranties, product qualification, supply-chain readiness, and implementation risk.
• Experience with long-duration energy storage, advanced geothermal, hybrid renewable systems, or other emerging renewable and grid-support technologies is preferred.
• Strong program management, executive communication, influence, and change-leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple pilots and work effectively across technical, commercial, project, and operating teams.

Travel Requirements

The position requires up to 25% domestic and international travel to company offices, project sites, operating assets, supplier and partner facilities, conferences, and pilot or test locations as needed.

Location: Denver Office, HQ - Redwood City, On-Site, Phoenix Office, Remote, San Diego Office

 Base Pay: 190,000-200,000

The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. The compensation range provided reflects base pay. Total rewards may also include performance-based bonuses, equity grants, and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.

Our Health & Wellness Benefits

At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• 12 Weeks Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
• Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
• Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
• Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
• Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
• Device Purchase Support

At SB Energy, the success of our projects is driven by a desire to see our projects benefit as many people as possible. We work to serve local communities through volunteering, fundraising, and much more. For example, we’re proud to support access and opportunity in engineering and clean energy through impactful mentorship programs and workforce training. When you join SB Energy, you can become a part of these efforts, collaborating with team members who share a vision of building a better future now! 

SB Energy is built on a foundation of collaboration and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

To learn more about us, visit www.sbenergy.com.

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