Manager, Emporia VPP Project Delivery

Manager, Emporia VPP Project DeliveryReporting to: Justin Bliffen, Chief Operating Officer Location: Hybrid / Remote - Ideally Colorado home state, multi-state travel required to CT, MA, ME, and CO initially; additional markets as the program expands Employment: Full-time, Exempt Start Target: As soon as possible; no later than April 30, 2026 (urgent, tasks already in motion) About Emporia Emporia is a leading technology company revolutionizing home energy by providing affordable, integrated solutions that empower homeowners to optimize energy usage to reduce costs and carbon footprint. Emporia's Home Energy Management Platform is a powerful software system that connects their Vue Home Energy Monitor, Level 2 EV Charger, Smart Plugs, Home Battery, and third-party thermostats and appliances. By automating energy use through real-time monitoring and scheduling, the platform optimizes consumption, reduces costs, and simplifies home energy managementall within one intuitive app. With over 400,000 U.S. homes running Emporia's energy management and EV charging hardware, we are now launching a national Third-Party Owned (TPO) home battery Virtual Power Plantplacing industrial-rated home batteries in residential homes to deliver power redundancy, utility cost savings, and grid peak demand services. By reducing energy waste and saving customers money, we're helping create a healthier planet and a brighter future. Mission and Vision Emporia was founded in 2018 with a clear purpose to revolutionize home energy, generate tangible customer savings, and accelerate the transition to a lower carbon future. We are striving to become the world's leading home energy management platform and build the largest virtual power plant. Values: Customers First: We deliver exceptional service with empathy and responsiveness, building lasting trust in every interaction. Own the Outcome: We think like owners, taking responsibility for results and holding ourselves and each other accountable. Win Together: We succeed together through honesty, humility and humanity. Grit Gets it Done: We work hard, stay passionate, and persevere through challenges. Better Every Day: We challenge the status quo, take smart risks and aim to improve 1% every day. About the Role You are the Grid Navigator. A battery on a wall is a liability. A battery with Permission to Operate (PTO) is a revenue-generating asset generating meaningful revenue per year in VPP grid services revenue. Your job is to close that gap as fast as possible, in four states simultaneously. You will own the end-to-end permitting and utility interconnection process for Emporia's battery deployment programfrom documenting AHJ requirements and engaging fire marshals to submitting interconnection applications and relentlessly following up with utilities until PTO is in hand. You will do this for Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and Colorado simultaneously, against aggressive deadlines, with no slack in the schedule. This role requires someone who has done this beforewho has navigated Connecticut's fire code environment, who knows the difference between Eversource and National Grid interconnection processes in Massachusetts, and who understands that the relationship with an AHJ inspector is worth as much as the paperwork. You bring the expertise. AI amplifies your reach. Key Responsibilities Permitting & AHJ Management Research, document, and maintain permitting requirements for residential battery storage installations across all target jurisdictions in CT, MA, ME, and CO initially and likely other markets soon Proactively initiate and manage AHJ pre-approval relationships in each marketbuilding personal connections with inspectors and fire marshals before the first application is submitted Own and actively manage Connecticut fire code risk (DR-001), working with the engaged consultant to ensure Emporia's E60 battery meets local fire marshal requirements and that pre-approval is obtained before June launch Identify and respond to AHJ-specific requirementsfire setbacks, spacing rules, emergency access provisions, equipment placement restrictionsand integrate these into the installation playbook Track permit application status across all active installations and drive resolution of outstanding items before they become deployment blockers Utility Interconnection Confirm technical and procedural interconnection requirements for each target utility: Eversource (CT/MA), United Illuminating (CT), National Grid (MA), Central Maine Power / Versant (ME), and Xcel Energy (CO), and others Assess interconnection processing timelines per utility and produce a risk-adjusted deployment schedule that flags where 3090 day processing windows threaten the June 1 or other near term launches Prepare and submit interconnection application packages for all target installations, ensuring packages meet each utility's technical specifications Actively manage Colorado's Xcel eligibility tool dependencymaintaining direct contact with Xcel to obtain tool access and escalating when delivery commitments are blocked Build and maintain relationships with utility DER and interconnection staff who can compress timelines, surface informal guidance early, and escalate stuck applications Track all submitted applications through utility review and flag risks to the deployment readiness gate timeline VPP Program Enrollment Coordinate enrollment in state and utility VPP / demand response programs as a prerequisite for each market launch: Massachusetts: ConnectedSolutions (ConnSol) and Clean Peak Energy Standard Maine: Efficiency Maine storage incentive and demand response programs Colorado: Xcel Energy VPP / demand response program (contingent on eligibility tool) Connecticut: Eversource and UI demand response program requirements Others to follow Document enrollment requirements, eligibility criteria, and processing timelines for each program, and ensure enrollment is confirmed before the deployment readiness gate for each market Permitting Infrastructure & Documentation Build and maintain a state-by-state regulatory database: AHJ contacts, permit fees, application templates, fire code references, and utility interconnection requirementsstructured so agents and future team members can execute against it Develop standardized permit application packages and single-line diagram templates for each target state that can be adapted for individual home installations with minimal manual effort Own the permitting and interconnection section of the deployment readiness gate checklist for each market Build a follow-up and status tracking system that surfaces overdue applications and prompts action before timelines slip AI-Native Operations Expectations Emporia is transitioning to an AI-engineer model. This role is expected to build and supervise AI-assisted agent workflowsnot just execute tasks. Experienced and/or willing to adapt AI skills in everyday workflow Build AI-assisted workflows for installer candidate research, vetting, and scorecard generation across target markets Use AI tooling to draft playbook content, training materials, market-specific adaptations, and contract templatesthen own the review and finalization Implement agent-assisted job dispatch and quality monitoring that allows one person to manage volume that would traditionally require two or three operations coordinators Design the workflows you build today to scale with AI assistance, so the operational model does not require proportional headcount growth as installation volume increases Required Skills & Experience 48 years in residential or light commercial solar or battery storage permitting and interconnection, with direct, hands-on experience submitting and managing applications Direct experience in at least two of the four target states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, or Coloradowith working knowledge of local AHJ processes, utility interconnection procedures, and relevant electrical codes Personal relationships or demonstrated ability to build relationships with AHJ inspectors, fire marshals, and utility interconnection personnel Direct knowledge of Connecticut's residential battery storage permitting environment, including fire code requirementsthis is the highest-risk market and the first launch state Experience with utility interconnection processes at Eversource, National Grid, or Xcel Energy specifically Strong organizational discipline: you manage multiple open applications across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously without anything slipping Genuine comfort with AI productivity tools and documented adoption of technology to extend individual capacity Strongly Preferred Experience with EG4, Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, or comparable battery storage product permittingincluding knowledge of UL 9540 and UL 9540A fire safety documentation used in AHJ submissions Familiarity with VPP or demand response program enrollment