Senior Associate/Transmission Strategy & Planning (Energy practice)

Job description

**About Charles River Associates** Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns. *Learn more about our work by reviewing our Services and Industries on our*[*website*](https://www.crai.com/)*.* **Position Overview** CRA’s [Energy](https://www.crai.com/industries/energy/) practice advises clients in the regulated energy space on the issues most crucial to their businesses. Our experts are recognized leaders in their areas of specialization and combine for decades of experience with top consultancies and in senior in-house roles. They offer clients access to the industry insights they rely on to navigate complexity and achieve competitive advantage. We represent utilities and other energy firms before their regulators, lend our expertise to the resolution of disputes, support investors on complex transactions, and help plan and build the energy grid of the future. We are frequently called upon to offer expert testimony in docketed proceedings. As trusted strategic advisors, we work with stakeholders across the supply chain to help them grow and evolve their businesses in ways that benefit customers and shareholders. We work in the electric, gas, and water industries in jurisdictions throughout North America and Europe. We are seeking a Senior Associate/Transmission Strategy & Planning to play a key role in managing and executing client engagements, providing strategic and technical expertise across a range of transmission planning and market-related issues. You will work closely with senior leaders to deliver high-quality analysis and serve as a day-to-day point of contact for clients and project teams. Typical responsibilities include: • Manage day-to-day execution of transmission planning and strategy engagements, including coordinating project teams, tracking deliverables, and ensuring timelines and quality standards are met • Support transmission planning analyses, including regional and local planning, interconnection strategy, and evaluation of transmission expansion opportunities • Apply and interpret power system and market models, including power flow, production cost, and capacity expansion tools, to inform planning and investment decisions • Support large load and generation interconnection strategy, including queue positioning, cost allocation, and timing considerations for utilities, developers, and hyperscale customers • Conduct analysis of planning processes and regulatory frameworks, including RTO/ISO planning (e.g., MISO, PJM, SPP, CAISO), FERC policies, and state-level transmission initiatives • Develop clear, structured insights on transmission development, including project economics, risk assessment, and implications for rates and cost recovery • Contribute to stakeholder processes, including regulatory proceedings, technical working groups, and investor diligence efforts • Mentor and guide junior team members, supporting their development and ensuring high-quality analytical output • Prepare client-ready deliverables, including presentations, memoranda, and supporting analyses • Communicate findings clearly and effectively to clients and internal teams **Desired Qualifications** • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Engineering Economics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred; • 5–8 years of experience in transmission planning, power system analysis, or electricity market modeling; • Familiarity with RTO/ISO transmission planning processes, interconnection procedures, and cost allocation frameworks; • Experience with power system and market modeling tools (e.g., PSS®E, PSLF, PROMOD, Aurora, or similar) and ability to translate results into actionable insights; • Experience managing project workstreams or small teams within larger engagements; • Exposure to working with utilities, developers, regulators, or large energy users on transmission-related issues; • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex analyses into clear insights; • Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to structure and execute analyses on complex issues; • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a team-oriented environment; • Commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning. **To Apply** To be considered for a **position in the United States**, we require the following: - **Resume** – please include current address, personal email and telephone number; - **Cover letter** – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals. If you are interested in applying for one of our **international locations**, please visit our [Careers site](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/) to view and apply for available jobs. **Career Growth and Benefits** - CRA’s robust [skills development programs](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/talent-development/), encompassing both formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities. - We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, [wellness programming](https://www.crai.com/benefits/) to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house [immigration support](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/immigration-global-mobility/) for foreign nationals and international business travelers. **Work Location Flexibility** CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team. **Responsible AI Use in Recruiting** We believe that recruiting is fundamentally a human process, and we are committed to a hiring process that is consistent, transparent, and people-focused. While AI and other technology-enabled tools help our team operate more efficiently, we strive to provide every candidate with a personalized, thoughtful, and high-touch experience. As CRA invests significant human effort to find qualified members for our teams, we expect candidates to invest corresponding human effort to learn about CRA, prepare thoughtful application materials, and engage with our interviewers. Read more about appropriate hiring manager, recruiting team, and candidate AI at CRA [on our website](https://www.crai.com/cra-careers/ai-recruiting/). **Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity** Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. ***Salary and other compensation*** *A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $130,000-$152,500. Starting pay within this range varies based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation. CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.*