Technical Innovation Partner (Solar & Bess)

RWE Clean Energy, LLC, Austin, Chicago, San Francisco, Valhalla
Functional area: Business Development; Corporate Development / Strategy
Remuneration: Exempt
The RWE Clean Energy Technical and Quality Optimization team is looking for an experienced Technical Innovation Partner. While the role is not limited to any specific renewable technology, the focus of this role will be on Solar and Storage projects. As a TI Partner, you will manage a portfolio of Technical Innovation projects with a focus on Solar and Storage related topics and act as an interface to our global development activities. The ideal candidate will have sound experience in technical innovation in the renewable energy industry, preferably around solar and storage technology.
Responsibilities:

• Manage Innovation portfolio:
• Promote a positive culture of HSSE awareness and continuous improvement and learning.
• Support sustainability and other strategic topics within the Technical & Quality Optimization team.
• In selected cases, manage a TI project, i.e. taking the role of Project Manager.
• Screen our internal innovation portfolios as well as external innovations to (1) identify new innovation trends and opportunities; (2) create a multi-year outlook of innovation roadmap; (3) share insight and learnings to the business
• Work closely with adjacent departments (e.g. engineering, procurement, legal, etc.) to ensure the best value and learning for RWE.
• Deliver the agreed part of the TI project plan with regards to time, cost, scope, and HSSE as well as the project’s business case including implementation.
• Other additional duties as assigned by the manager.
• Manage and promote IP and know-how development and protection.
• Create and assess new project ideas against strategic objectives with technical experts and relevant business functions, actively seeking to share best practices and utilize synergies across the RWE group.
• Manage internal and external project managers and other resources and provide support for project managers when appropriate.
• Communicate proactively and effectively within RWE, actively promoting the profile of TI and managing key stakeholders including higher management.
• Ensure on-time reporting and cross-functional stakeholder communication.
• Work closely with Solar & Storage counterparts in Europe to coordinate innovation projects, align on global strategy, and share learnings.
• Support the Technical & Quality Optimization team lead and Senior TI Partner in managing innovation work in renewable technologies, focusing on solar and storage.
• Work together with the global Technical Innovation hub and the RWE Clean Energy organization to develop a business and value-focused innovation strategy and plan for agreed topic areas in close cooperation with experts and key stakeholders in the business.

Qualifications:

• Commercial judgment that is results-oriented, open-minded, and able to spot possibilities in uncertain and complex environments.
• Successfully completed university degree in engineering, economics, or natural sciences or comparable energy technology experience.
• Self-directing, working mostly independently and able to identify key priorities and plan work accordingly.
• Experience in working within international project organizations.
• Outstanding interpersonal, influencing, and stakeholder management skills with an ability to flex style depending on cultural differences.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. German language skill is a plus.
• Operational and/or technical experience in Solar and Storage is required . Ideally have strong innovation management experience.
• Ability to build and motivate strong, goal-focused networks and project teams to deliver change.
• Understanding of applied project management is desirable.
• Willingness to travel based on tasks, both nationally and internationally.
• Strong conceptual, analytical, and technical skills.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.
RWE 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, disability or protected veteran status.
For 125 years RWE has been the source of energy for millions of people across the globe. Now we’re making all that energy green. This decade alone we’re investing €50bn into renewables and will be carbon neutral by 2040 – ten years earlier than most other global targets. This is a chance to play a key role on our journey.
Join our renewables specialists, working across the clean energy spectrum to grow our operations to 50 GW by 2030 – with some of the world’s largest on and offshore wind farms and industry-leading hydrogen initiatives. We’re also considered innovators in solar development including floating photovoltaics and agri-photovoltaics. Or add your expertise to our supply and trading operations, brokering renewable electricity, green gas, commodities, and CO2 emission allowances from one of our advanced energy trading floors.
We look forward to meeting you! Apply today.
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