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.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Principal – Transmission Strategy and Planning to play a leadership role in delivering high-impact advisory services across transmission planning, interconnection, and grid strategy engagements.

Role and Responsibilities

As a Principal, you will lead client engagements and provide strategic and technical expertise across a range of transmission planning and market-related issues. You will be expected to operate as both a thought leader and a client advisor, while building and managing high-performing teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead transmission planning and strategy engagements, including regional and local transmission planning, interconnection strategy, and evaluation of transmission expansion opportunities

• Advise clients on planning processes and regulatory frameworks, including RTO/ISO planning (e.g., MISO, PJM, SPP), FERC policies, and state-level transmission initiatives

• Apply and interpret advanced 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

• Provide commercial and strategic insight on transmission development, including project economics, risk assessment, and implications for rates and cost recovery

• Serve as a senior advisor in stakeholder processes, including regulatory proceedings, technical working groups, and investor diligence efforts

• Lead and mentor project teams, ensuring high-quality, defensible, and client-ready deliverables

• Drive business development, including maintaining existing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and shaping new service offerings in transmission and grid strategy

• Communicate complex findings clearly through executive presentations, written reports, and expert testimony

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Engineering Economics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred

• 10+ years of experience in transmission planning, power system analysis, or electricity market modeling

• Deep 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 translating results into actionable insights

• 5+ years of leadership experience, including managing project teams and overseeing complex engagements

• Demonstrated experience engaging with regulators, utilities, developers, or large energy users on transmission-related issues

• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to executive audiences

• Strong problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to structure and lead analyses on ambiguous and evolving issues

• Commitment to mentorship, team development, and collaborative project execution

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;