Manager (to Sr. Manager), RTO Markets Policy

Company Overview

Driven by our vision of the affordable, reliable, net-zero carbon grid of the future, Mainspring has developed a new category of power generation — the linear generator — that delivers local, scalable, and , fuel-flexible power to help accelerate the transition to the net-zero carbon grid.

The unique combination of attributes offered by Mainspring’s linear generator enables applications on both the commercial and utility sides of the meter for the $816B global electricity equipment market. We serve a wide range of Fortune 500 customers across markets and industries as well as top-tier utilities and other gridside providers.

We are looking to build relationships with people who share our values:

• Pragmatic Optimism. Building a new category of world-class power generation requires the optimism of ambition and creativity, balanced with practicality to solve problems efficiently. The challenges that arise are opportunities for growth.
• Excellence without Ego. We bring expertise and commitment to creating the best customer experience, from sales to deployment and service, just as we apply deep technical rigor to building and delivering world-class products. We strive for excellence and behave as leaders with the humility to acknowledge our challenges, both collectively and as individual contributors.
• Proactive Collaboration. The integration and cross-disciplinary nature of Mainspring’s business requires intentionally seeking out others who bring different skills, perspectives, and priorities. Our culture of inclusion and respect extends beyond our team to interactions with our partners and customers.

Mainspring is based in Menlo Park and has partnered with top-tier investors and utilities such as Khosla Ventures, Bill Gates, NextEra, and American Electric Power. More information can be found at www.mainspringenergy.com.

Responsibilities

This role’s focus will be on monitoring and directly engaging with the organized wholesale power markets, relevant FERC policies, national and regional trade associations (and its members), and developing market participation strategies with Mainspring’s External Affairs, Product, and Business Development groups.

This role requires a combination of strong business acumen, policy expertise, industry knowledge, advocacy skills, collaboration, and understanding of company strategy. It also requires excellent writing and oral presentation skills along with the ability to work collaboratively with a cross-functional team.

Responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Manager of RTO (Regional Transmission Organization) Market Policy to lead our RTO advocacy across the U.S. Key RTOs are CAISO, ERCOT, MISO, SPP, and ISONE. You will be responsible for educating Mainspring personnel and executive management on existing market rules, developing new market products, and advocating for market and product policies that will enable Mainspring’s Linear Generator.

Key Responsibilities:

• Policy Analysis and Evaluation: Monitor and stay abreast of regulatory policies, market rules, long-term transmission and generation planning, and legislative changes impacting the wholesale power markets. Analyze their implications on market operations, pricing mechanisms, and grid reliability. Assess potential risks and opportunities for Mainspring.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy: Engage with industry stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, government agencies, market participants, and industry associations. Collaborate with these entities to influence policy decisions, advocate for market enhancements, and drive Mainspring’s overall engagement in key proceedings related to market design, resource adequacy, and resilience.
• Market Design and Optimization: Evaluate existing market structures, mechanisms, and processes for energy and capacity resource participation. Identify areas for improvement and propose enhancements/market-based solutions to increase efficiency, competition, and transparency. Analyze market performance metrics and propose strategies to optimize grid reliability and resource adequacy.
• Market Intelligence: Assist with conducting research and analysis on industry trends, competitors, technological advancements, and emerging market models. Stay informed about evolving energy market frameworks, long duration storage technologies, clean fuels integration, and demand response initiatives. Utilize this knowledge to provide inputs and strategic guidance for development of business plans to capture opportunities in different RTOs involving Mainspring’s technology.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of related experience covering at least one RTO (ERCOT or CAISO preferred)
• BS/BA in energy policy, economics, engineering, or a related field required. Master’s preferred
• Extensive knowledge of power market fundamentals, market design, and regulatory frameworks, with specific experience in at least two RTOs
• Working knowledge of RTO interconnection procedures and queue reform proposals.
• Prior experience working in similar roles for a renewable developer, IPP, IOU, RTO, or major energy consulting company
• Strong aptitude for staying abreast of policy changes across multiple regions, including major policy developments at FERC
• Strong familiarity with commercial structures such as PPAs, VPPAs, financial hedges, tolling agreements, etc.
• Effective communication and presentation skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and build consensus among diverse stakeholders
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, thinking and moving quickly, with a proven ability to prioritize and juggle many different projects at once
• Ability to travel regularly

This position is remote (ideally near an RTO HQ). The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee.

Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don’t meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we’d still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.