Rocky Mountain Institute is an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit think-and-do tank that drives the efficient and restorative use of resources. RMI is focused on accelerating the U.S. transition from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables. Co-founded in 1982 by Amory Lovins, RMI began as a small group of colleagues focused on energy solutions. It has since grown into a broad-based Institute with approximately 90 full-time staff, an annual budget of $12 million, and a global reach.
RMI is engaged in research and collaborative implementation (mainly with the private sector) that addresses pragmatic designs, practices, and policies, not social theories or laboratory experiments. We work on all parts of the solution process—idea, strategy, and implementation—in the four energy-intensive sectors: buildings, transportation, industry, and electricity. Our main modes of action are to transform design, bust barriers, and spread solutions.
RMI has two locations — in Boulder and Snowmass, Colorado.
RMI offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- 403b Retirement Options (5% match after the first year)
- Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability
- Commuter and Wellness Benefits
- Casual Work Environment
- Appreciation of Work-Life Balance
Current Openings
Rocky Mountain Institute is seeking a candidate for a Principal role with a strong interest and experience in the electricity system of the United States. Our electricity program is focused on catalyzing a vast reduction in the use of fossil fuels while at the same time increasing the security and robustness of the system. This job involves working with senior colleagues to co-lead RMI efforts in this area, most of them within an initiative we call NGU – Next Generation Utility.
NGU is focusing on developing solutions to overcome key barriers to the transformation of the electricity sector to efficiency and renewables. Key target areas include the regulatory construct and utility business models, market design, the role of demand-side resources in providing system flexibility and approaches to increasing adoption and use of those resources, and utility resource planning and strategy.
While there will be an immediate emphasis on developing and leading client projects and research for the electricity program, there will also be opportunities to develop and guide projects in a range of related areas including industrial and buildings efficiency and corporate energy transformation.
RMI has offices in Snowmass and Boulder, Colorado; this position can be located in either one.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and guide both research and collaborative projects in their areas of focus
- Lead the development of more junior members of the Research and Collaboration (R&C) team and work to continually improve the effectiveness of our resources
- Work with the other Principals to strengthen the cross-connectivity of our programs and work closely with R&C’s Program Directors to develop new programs
Qualifications
First and foremost, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualities:
- Intense curiosity and creativity
- Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines
- Willingness to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas
- Excellent quantitative analysis and modeling skills
- Excellent writing skills and presentation preparation capability
- Strong verbal communication skills, from one-on-ones to speeches
- Interest in and solid track record of people development
- Skills and desire to change client’s and decision-maker’s minds on intensely important issues
- A passion for making the world better
A successful candidate for this position will have experience in the electricity sector and have a demonstrated track record of working with business leaders. He or she should also have experience with developing and executing practical research geared towards furthering a mission. Knowledge and experience in many (but not necessarily all) of the following areas are likely to be beneficial:
- Experience working with/as a regulator for the electric utility industry
- Experience within or as a consultant to the electric utility industry
- Experience as a consultant in traditional and/or high tech manufacturing or service business environments
- Experience working with a supplier to the electric utility industry
- Detailed knowledge in T&D, efficiency, and conventional power generation, utility economics and finance, operations, resource planning and strategy
- Familiarity with technologies and utility strategies including solar PV, wind, demand response electric vehicles, and smart grid, as well as grid integration of these technologies
- Graduate degree or equivalent in engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy), economics, computer science, mathematics, or physical sciences, or proven ability to work in and add value to the technical and decision-making context of the electricity system
How to Apply
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume with “Principal - Electricity Focus” in the subject line to: jobs@rmi.org. No calls, please.
RMI is an equal opportunity employer.
Rocky Mountain Institute is seeking a candidate for a Principal role with a strong interest and experience in the industrial system of the United States. Our industrial program centers on innovative, integrative design of facilities and processes and, in some cases, products (such as cars and appliances). This role involves providing active leadership for much of our industrial projects work, and helping Program Directors shape and direct it.
RMI has a long and successful history of collaboration with a wide range of industrial players. While perhaps best know for our work on transformative vehicle concepts, we play or have played active roles in refining, silicon fabs, mining, beer brewing, cement, data centers, scaling up solar equipment, and a range of other industrial processes over our 30 year history. While we are very selective about what we do – our criteria center around working with companies that are already industry leaders in sustainability--we are committed to continuing this tradition, and are looking to refresh our leadership team for this program.
While there will be an immediate emphasis on developing and leading client projects and research for RMI’s industrial program, there will also be opportunities to collaborate with our active programs in buildings and the US electrical system and whole system design, and to shape additional transportation-related ideas beyond products like cars, trucks and buses.
RMI has offices in Snowmass and Boulder, Colorado. We plan for this position to be based in Snowmass, but will consider Boulder-based options as well.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and guide both research and collaborative projects in their areas of focus
- Lead the development of more junior members of the Research and Collaboration (R&C) team and work to continually improve the effectiveness of our resources
- Work with the other Principals to strengthen the cross-connectivity of our programs and work closely with R&C’s Program Directors to develop new programs
Qualifications
Fundamentally, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualities:
- Intense curiosity and creativity
- Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines
- Willingness to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas
- Excellent quantitative analysis and modeling skills
- Excellent writing skills and presentation preparation capability
- Strong verbal communication skills, from one-on-ones to speeches
- Skills and desire to change client’s and decisionmaker’s minds on intensely important issues
- A passion for making the world better
The successful candidate will have experience working in multiple industries and have a demonstrated track record of working with business leaders. He or she should also have experience with developing and executing practical research geared towards furthering a mission. Knowledge and experience in many or all of the following areas are beneficial:
- Experience as a consultant to traditional manufacturing environments, preferably including process industries like metals or chemicals or refining
- Experience as a consultant to the high tech manufacturing industry or telecoms or cable industry
- Experience working with vehicle or appliance makers
- Graduate degree or equivalent in engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, energy), economics, computer science, mathematics, or physical sciences – or, proven ability to add value in technology-centric businesses
- Experience and comfort with design processes and tools, on either the product design or process/facilities side
- Broad operational experience in industrial topics including skill in strategy and industry evolution, lean manufacturing, supply chain optimization and network configurations.
- Familiarity with efficiency and distributed electrical supply technologies and utility strategies including motor control, solar PV, Wind, Demand Response and SmartGrid, as well as integration of these technologies.
- Experience and/or strong interest in design and design processes
How to Apply
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume with “Principal - Industrial Focus” in the subject line to: jobs@rmi.org. No calls, please.
RMI is an equal opportunity employer.