Full-Time
Program Manager
Updated on 9/3/2026
ConnectDER
51-200 employees
Rapid DER grid connection solutions.
Compensation Overview
$36 - $40/hr
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Hybrid
Three days on-site per week required; candidates must live within a reasonable commuting distance.
Bachelor's
 Project & Program Management (1) |
|---|
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- A bachelor's degree or higher in business, engineering, or another related technical field.
- Two to five years of relevant program or project management experience, preferably in a technology or product-driven environment.
- A proven track record of developing, implementing, and optimizing internal workflows and processes.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization.
- Proven success in establishing key performance indicators, metrics, and focus to drive product development best practices.
- Advanced problem-solving and interpersonal skills, including presentation, written, and oral communication, with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and management.
- Comfort operating in both agile and waterfall project methodologies for software and hardware development projects.
- Experience using project management software such as ClickUp or Microsoft Project.
- Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time, with or without accommodation.
- Ability to pass a criminal history background screening and a reference check.
- Proof of work authorization in the United States.
- Guide organizational initiatives by providing strategic program management insights and execution recommendations to internal teams.
- Facilitate key governance forums, including Leadership Meetings, Quarterly Business Reviews, and Product Review Boards, by aligning cross-functional materials, capturing critical decisions, and driving accountability for action items.
- Streamline the Objectives and Key Results governance structure to optimize company-wide alignment and adherence to strategic goals.
- Define, optimize, and advocate for process improvements, offering hands-on guidance on development workflows and internal innovation tools.
- Lead cross-functional technical teams within a matrix organization, keeping engineering, product, and operations aligned with minimal guidance.
- Champion New Product Introduction programs, ensuring adherence to governance standards and execution best practices.
- Communicate New Product Introduction program status, risks, and milestones to stakeholders at all organizational levels, from engineering teams to executives.
- Proactively resolve project conflicts, resource constraints, and operational bottlenecks to keep timelines on track.
- Experience delivering solutions in the solar, renewable, or distributed energy resource industry.
- Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement process experience.
- Advanced knowledge of innovation tools such as Roadmunk, ClickUp, or Power BI.
ConnectDER provides devices and a management system that simplify and speed up connecting distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar and energy storage to the electrical grid. Its core product is a proprietary connection device plus smart metering and communications that securely coordinate DERs with the grid, enabling installation in less than 10 minutes. The company works with utility companies and homeowners through utility partnerships to offer a hassle-free DER integration service. Unlike players that rely on slower, less standardized approaches, ConnectDER builds a standards-driven ecosystem and emphasizes grid compatibility, secure communications, and streamlined installation. The goal is to accelerate renewable energy adoption by making DER connections quick, reliable, and easy for utilities and customers.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$79M
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded
2011
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- ConnectDER reported 40,000 devices installed by February 2026, showing real market traction.
- EcoFlow OCEAN Pro integration broadened partner coverage across California, Arizona, Illinois, Florida, and Texas.
- Brian Saucier became COO on January 20, 2026, signaling manufacturing scale-up for demand growth.
What critics are saying
- UL-listed meter-collar rivals and inverter OEMs can bundle around ConnectDER by 2027.
- New York PSC case 24-E-0526 stays open, delaying statewide approval and slowing adoption.
- Dependence on utility approvals makes each state rollout vulnerable to policy reversals and field failures.
What makes ConnectDER unique
- ConnectDER’s IslandDER won Arizona APS, TEP, and SRP approvals on January 15, 2026.
- California’s SCE, SDGE, and PG&E approved ConnectDER, reaching 60% of U.S. residential market.
- SolarEdge made IslandDER a standard Nexis component, locking ConnectDER into national distribution.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Flexible Paid Time Off
401(k) Company Match
Equity Stock Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 3%ConnectDER has announced full integration of its IslandDER™ meter socket adapter with the SolarEdge Nexis home energy system, now available for nationwide installation. The adapter serves as the system's microgrid interconnect device, sensing grid outages and initiating backup power without requiring main panel upgrades or backup loads panels. SolarEdge first previewed the integration at RE+ in September 2025 and has made IslandDER™ a standard component for Nexis installations requiring home backup. The SolarEdge-specific model features an RJ45 ethernet port for digital communication with the inverter. The collaboration aims to simplify installations by housing the microgrid interconnect device, consumption transformers, and system sensing within a single plug-and-play meter collar. SolarEdge Nexis combines inverter, battery storage, and energy management in one compact unit, offering up to 14.5kW in backup and storage scaling from 5kWh to 80kWh. Both products are available through distribution channels nationwide.
ConnectDER has announced full integration of its IslandDER meter socket adapter with EcoFlow's OCEAN Pro home backup battery system, now available in California, Arizona, Illinois, Florida and Texas. The integration allows solar-plus-storage installers to connect battery systems directly behind utility meters, eliminating costly main panel upgrades and complex rewiring. The IslandDER adapter houses microgrid interconnect devices, consumption transformers and communication protocols in a single plug-and-play unit, reducing installation time and costs. EcoFlow joins ConnectDER's battery partners including FranklinWH, Lunar Energy, SolarEdge and Fox ESS. The OCEAN Pro features 24kW continuous output, scales from 10kWh to 80kWh capacity, and supports up to 40kW of solar input with eight independent MPPTs. ConnectDER's meter socket adapters are UL-listed, NEC-compliant and approved by utilities across the US.
ConnectDER appoints Brian Saucier to Chief Operating Officer as company scales development and operations to meet expanding market demand. PHILADELPHIA, PA - January 20, 2026 - ConnectDER, the innovative leader in plug-and-play meter socket adapters for residential solar, battery storage, and EV charging installations, promoted Brian Saucier to Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the start of 2026. Saucier, who previously served as Vice President of Engineering and PMO, will now oversee the company's end-to-end operational strategy as it enters a period of aggressive market expansion through high-volume production and increased product development. In his new role, Saucier is tasked with designing and implementing the scalable systems, processes, and culture necessary to support ConnectDER's next stage of growth. He will continue to partner closely with CEO Ivo Steklac to translate the company's vision into day-to-day execution, ensuring operational excellence across product development, engineering, PMO, and supply chain. Saucier's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for ConnectDER. As the company rolls out its newest-generation IslandDER(TM) Meter Socket Adapter - enabling faster, easier home battery backup installations by bypassing costly electrical work - Saucier's background in complex hardware engineering and manufacturing continues to be a critical asset. His career is defined by a rare ability to bridge the gap between technical problem-solving and large-scale organizational management: Deep Electrical Expertise: With over two decades of experience, including a tenure as Director of Hardware Engineering at Aclara and extensive leadership at Electronics for Imaging (EFI), Saucier has a proven track record of managing all phases of electrical, electronics, and firmware development. This technical depth is vital for ConnectDER's mission to simplify the connection between the utility meter and the home's distributed energy resource (DER) assets. A Legacy of Efficiency: At EFI, Saucier established a world-class "idea-to-launch" system that significantly increased commercialization rates, moving from three product launches in 2011 to seven in 2012. He also restructured engineering budgets to save over $600,000 in a single quarter, demonstrating the fiscal discipline required of a modern COO. Strategic Innovation: During his time at Hubbell Incorporated, a giant in electrical systems, Saucier served on the Senior Leadership Team where he managed the technology radar and resourcing efficiency for the entire segment. This experience in the broader electrical industry provides him with the insight needed to navigate the complex utility and regulatory landscapes ConnectDER operates in. "Brian has been a cornerstone of our leadership team since he arrived," said Ivo Steklac, CEO of ConnectDER. "His unique ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams through complex challenges while maintaining a laser focus on scalable and efficient operations is exactly what ConnectDER needs as we move toward nationwide availability. His leadership will ensure that our operations are as innovative as our technology." Beyond his technical accolades, Saucier is recognized for a leadership philosophy based on trust, empowerment, and mentorship. Whether leading a staff of 15+ engineers or serving as a AAA hockey coach for the New Hampshire Avalanche - producing numerous NCAA and pro hockey talents - Saucier has consistently demonstrated an ability to foster high-performance cultures. "It's been an incredible experience overseeing the engineering and manufacturing of ConnectDER's meter socket adapters the last nearly three years, and I'm honored to step into the COO role at such a transformative time for our company and the residential clean energy industry," said Brian Saucier. "We aren't just building hardware; we're leading the shift in how distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, battery storage, and EV chargers connect to homes and the grid. By removing the barriers of complex electrical work and high costs for both installers and homeowners, we're making renewable energy solutions more accessible and affordable to millions of households. As COO, my focus will be on building an operational backbone that can meet the massive demand for our adapters, ensuring our product technology remains the most reliable, scalable, and elegant solution on the market." About ConnectDER ConnectDER has been a pioneer in designing and developing meter socket adapters (MSAs) since 2011, simplifying the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging equipment. ConnectDER's products help accelerate installations, avoid complex electrical work, and reduce costs for both installers and homeowners - making renewable energy solutions more accessible and affordable for all. ConnectDER's MSAs are UL-listed and NEC-compliant, approved by utilities across the U.S., and used by top local, regional, and national solar installers. Installers can purchase ConnectDER's MSAs through their preferred distributor. Email [email protected] to talk to a ConnectDER sales representative. For more information, visit www.connectder.com. Stay connected. 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ConnectDER, a leading provider of innovative electrical solutions for the solar industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Diamantis as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Lisa Diamantis Joins ConnectDER to Lead Sales and Marketing Strategies, Expand Market Reach, and Accelerate Growth across Clean Energy Sectors PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ConnectDER, the leading provider of innovative electrical solutions for the solar industry, is excited to announce the appointment of Lisa Diamantis as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In this role, Diamantis will lead ConnectDER's Sales and Marketing functions, focusing on expanding the company's reach in existing and new markets while strengthening relationships with channel partners and customers