Senior Engineer, Power Systems

About Sparkfund

Sparkfund is the utility services company unlocking capacity on the grid. Through its Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) model, Sparkfund enables utilities, energy majors, and large-load customers to deploy front-of-the-meter batteries and gensets as distribution infrastructure. By adding targeted capacity exactly where and when the grid needs it most, DCP helps meet demand, support reliability, and put downward pressure on rates. Sparkfund supports program design, grid value assessment, asset host engagement, and value chain management to ensure on-time, on-budget deployment with maximum system value and lowest cost.

With more than 3,200 projects deployed across 43 states and more than 300MW of energized assets constructed, Sparkfund is transforming customer-sited assets into a valuable portfolio resource for the benefit of our society. To learn more about Sparkfund, visit sparkfund.com.

Senior Engineer, Power Systems

Remote – United States

About the Role

Sparkfund is looking for a Senior Engineer, Power Systems with deep experience in electric utility distribution systems, power systems analysis, and distributed energy resource (DER) interconnection to help advance the deployment of distributed energy infrastructure across multiple utility markets.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineer who wants to work beyond the boundaries of a traditional utility environment. Rather than focusing on a single utility territory, you'll collaborate with utility partners, technology providers, and internal teams to solve complex engineering challenges and develop scalable approaches to grid integration.

As part of our Systems Engineering team, you'll serve as a technical expert supporting Sparkfund's Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) platform. You'll lead engineering work on assigned programs, from grid needs assessments and distribution system analysis through interconnection, protection coordination, and integration with utility operational systems.

This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with direct utility engagement. You'll work closely with utility planning, protection, and operations teams to address technical requirements, move interconnection reviews toward approval, and ensure that distributed energy assets can be safely and effectively integrated into the grid.

You'll also partner across Sparkfund with Commercialization, Program Management, and Project Delivery to support technical feasibility, program design, and successful deployment.

This is a senior individual contributor position reporting to the Director, Power Systems Engineering. The role requires a high degree of technical independence, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to navigate complex utility requirements while developing repeatable solutions that can be applied across markets.

How We Work at Sparkfund

Our values shape how we work, make decisions, and show up for our customers and each other. They are also part of how we evaluate success at Sparkfund.

Excellence

We hold ourselves to high standards and continuously look for ways to improve.

In this role, Excellence means applying sound engineering judgment, maintaining technical accuracy, and delivering high-quality engineering work that meets utility requirements and industry standards. It also means continuously improving our technical approaches, solving complex problems, and developing scalable solutions that support reliable grid integration.

Stewardship

We take ownership, follow through on our commitments, and make thoughtful decisions with the long term in mind.

For this role, Stewardship means taking accountability for engineering decisions, recognizing the operational and financial impacts of technical recommendations, and balancing safety, reliability, cost, and deployment requirements. It also means building trust with utility partners and making decisions that support long-term grid performance and responsible use of resources.

Positivity

We approach challenges constructively, assume positive intent, support one another, and bring solutions.

For this role, Positivity means approaching complex engineering and utility challenges with a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset. It means communicating technical concerns clearly and respectfully, working through differences in engineering approaches, and helping internal teams and utility partners find practical paths forward.

What You'll Do

Lead Utility Engineering & Interconnection

Serve as a primary day-to-day engineering contact for utility distribution planning, protection, and interconnection teams on assigned programs.

Lead technical discussions with utility partners to resolve engineering questions and advance interconnection reviews toward approval.

Prepare and present engineering recommendations related to IEEE 1547-2018 compliance, protection coordination, effective grounding, and utility-specific technical requirements.

Develop and review engineering deliverables, including single-line diagrams, site plans, preliminary protection settings, grounding calculations, commissioning plans, and conformity assessments.

Evaluate utility interconnection processes and identify opportunities to streamline engineering reviews and approvals.

Navigate technical requirements across different utilities, jurisdictions, and distribution systems.

Perform Distribution System Analysis

Conduct power-flow, short-circuit, and hosting-capacity analyses to assess distribution system capabilities and constraints.

Evaluate feeders and substations to determine available capacity, site suitability, and potential infrastructure upgrade requirements.

Support grid needs assessments, distribution planning studies, and locational value evaluations.

Assess utility modeling tools, methodologies, and engineering capabilities to support DCP program development.

Evaluate distribution system integration opportunities, including traditional infrastructure planning, non-wires alternatives, and DER interconnection.

Develop Grid Integration & Operational Technology Solutions

Evaluate utility operational technology capabilities, including DERMS, ADMS, SCADA, and distribution management systems.

Develop controls and communications architectures that support DER dispatch, monitoring, telemetry, and grid integration.

Define technical integration requirements, including communications pathways, site controller interfaces, and system interoperability.

Develop network and communications architecture recommendations using protocols such as DNP3, SunSpec Modbus, and IEEE 2030.5.

Support the development of operational technology integration roadmaps, including vendor evaluations, phased implementation approaches, and cybersecurity considerations.

Collaborate with technology providers and equipment manufacturers to ensure battery energy storage and distributed generation solutions support utility requirements and scalable deployment.

Support Program Development & Technical Evaluation

Partner with Commercialization, Program Management, and Project Delivery to evaluate technical feasibility and support program execution.

Assess distributed energy opportunities involving front-of-the-meter, behind-the-meter, and across-the-meter applications.

Contribute engineering expertise to cost-benefit analyses, including capital costs, operating costs, and distribution system value.

Support technical assessments of battery energy storage, distributed generation, and other emerging grid technologies.

Maintain working knowledge of relevant wholesale electricity market requirements, including energy storage registration, telemetry, dispatch, and settlement.

Translate technical findings into clear recommendations that support program development, utility engagement, and project delivery.

Build Scalable Engineering Practices

Contribute to Sparkfund's engineering standards, reference designs, technical templates, and design re