Director of Codes & Standards, Distributed Energy Resources and Systems

Company Profile

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry and represents more than 1,200 member companies and 263,000 Americans working across the United States. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy and is creating the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. We work with our member companies and strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.

SEIA does this by supporting pro-solar policies at the state and federal level, developing cutting-edge market research, hosting educational events and webinars, and serving as the voice of the solar and storage industry.

SEIA employees are passionate, forward-thinking leaders who start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA values diversity and fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that celebrates team success. The association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named by the Washington Post as a 2023 and 2024 Top Workplace and a Best Nonprofit to Work For by the Nonprofit Times.

Position Summary

SEIAs Codes & Standards team leads the industry in developing codes and standards proposals that help mitigate risk, open new market opportunities, and defend solar and energy storage growth in the necessary technical forums.

Along with Technical Services leadership, this role will formulate and carry out the development of innovation-leading proposals that provide for the strategic growth of solar and energy storage. This role will have a particular focus on the point of interconnection and interoperability and the related safety, communication, performance, testing, and operation of critical technology, including, but not limited to, inverters, PV hazard control devices and systems, and communication protocols in technical committees and forums. This role shall keep their team members updated and informed on requirements and test methods.

This role will represent SEIA professionally and confidently in these forums after developing positioning and technical strategy with the department, SEIA members, and stakeholders such as clean energy-friendly AHJs and other coalition groups as needed to garner support.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Convene SEIA member working groups and subgroups as assigned to research, discuss, draft and develop proposals and strategies for achieving inclusion or revision of the current or future codes and standards versions that provide critical growth opportunities
• Publicly represent SEIA in the appropriate technical forums and conferences as agreed
• Establish and maintain critical relationships with clean energy-friendly AHJs and influential stakeholders
• Support SEIA policy and other teams as the primary technical expert within SEIA on distributed energy resources and their implementation
• Participate in and/or support grant-funded work as required
• Advocate strongly on behalf of SEIA to work with an equity and inclusivity mindset throughout the engagement process
• Other projects and responsibilities as directed

Requirements:

Professional Experience, Education & Other Qualifications

• 8-10 years working in a team environment with direct engineering experience in inverter and distributed energy resource equipment in project or system design, product management, technical business development, codes & standards utilization, and/or representation, of which 3-5 years in direct experience working in clean energy industry preferred.
• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or related engineering or chemical sciences or equivalent education and experience
• Problem-solving skills, organization, and attention to detail, particularly in research and documentation
• Analytical and critical thinking skills that result in the best recommendation proposal for action
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-growing market
• Excellent clear and concise communication skills, both written and oral, for both internal and industry-facing engagements
• Professional public speaking skills
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Working Conditions

• Work is in an office or a remote office suitably equipped with internet and telephone access.
• SEIA employees in the Washington, D.C. region follow a hybrid remote and in-person office model. Employees work 3 days a week in an office environment and as needed when there are special events or meetings but otherwise can be remote
• Travel is required for this role.
• Frequent speaking engagements

Compensation Range

$115,000-$125,000 annually, based on experience and an excellent benefits package.

Working at SEIA

SEIA values diversity, inclusion, and equity within our organization and the promotion of these values across the solar industry. We strive to welcome different perspectives, identities, and backgrounds, regardless of job function, to create a more resilient organization supporting a strong, equitable solar industry. SEIA envisions an industry that is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity. We aim to achieve this by encouraging openness and transparency about diversity issues and progress. We will develop strategies, programs, and tools that seek to equalize opportunities within SEIA and allow for discussing and sharing best practices within the solar industry.

SEIA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, homelessness, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. SEIA complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we employ staff. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SEIA is an EVERIFY employer.