Job Description    

Are you passionate about making an impact in electricity markets, on behalf of consumers and the environment? If yes, Synapse has a position for you.

Synapse is an environmental economics consulting firm that has provided rigorous analysis on behalf of public interest clients in the energy and electric sector for more than 25 years. Our work includes expert analysis and high-impact expert testimony in hundreds of docketed proceedings across the United States and Canada. Our clients include environmental non-profits, state agencies, federal agencies, and consumer and environmental advocacy groups.

Synapse is seeking an ambitious candidate with strong communications and policy analysis skills. Candidates should have a commitment to public interest issues such as consumer protection, sustainability, and the clean energy transition, and a desire to advocate for these issues on behalf of clients in large stakeholder meetings. 

Job Responsibilities

The Principal Associate will join our existing wholesale markets team that is focused on representing End Users and Alternative Resources sector clients in New England’s New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) meetings and is working to assist consumer advocate clients in regions across the country on wholesale market issues.  These include ISO New England and PJM, as well as New York ISO, Midcontinent ISO, and ERCOT. The Principal Associate will manage projects, proposals, teams, project scope, and content related to wholesale markets.

Your role will include:

•  Serve as a technical advisor on wholesale market projects


• Attend wholesale power market meetings, ask questions, and/or advocate for the interests of our clients during the meetings (these meetings are remote and occasionally in person at different locations throughout New England)


• Assess proposed changes to the tariff of electric Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and the potential impacts these changes could have on issues important to our clients and their constituents.


• Work with RTO staff, state officials, and other stakeholders to improve the tariff along the dimensions of total cost to end-use customers, environmental impact, and reliable operation.


• Regularly update clients on key topics moving through stakeholder processes and recommend voting positions at key points in the decision-making process.


• Perform economic and policy analysis, cost-benefit assessments, and resource valuations for energy sector changes.


• Clearly and succinctly summarize complex technical concepts to clients, regulators, and public audiences through meetings, individual discussions, papers, presentations, and occasionally, testimony at state commissions or before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).


• Defend analysis and refute opposing viewpoints and analysis.


• Be comfortable performing and reviewing basic spreadsheet analyses on energy technologies, programs, and portfolios.


• Lead and manage projects and proposals (including budget, staff, and client management).


• Opportunities to drive Synapse's business development in wholesale markets across the country.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Economics, Public Policy, Law, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, or a related field.


• 10+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Master's or Bachelor's Degree, or 6+ years of relevant industry work experience with a Doctorate.


• At least 3 years of project management and budget management experience in a consulting position or in a similar role


• State, federal, or provincial electric utility or wholesale market regulatory experience.


• A strong desire to work on behalf of public interest, environmental organizations, and clean-energy clients in improving energy planning and policy.


• Ability to work and communicate well in teams of both internal and external personnel.


• Ability to multitask and prioritize critical tasks and conflicting requirements.


• Stakeholder engagement experience in a consulting position or in a similar role.

You don't have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed above. We encourage people with wholesale market experience to apply. If your skills are transferable and you are near the number of years of experience we are looking for, please apply. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.


• NEPOOL-specific experience


• Demonstrated ability to both scrutinize important details and debate long-term strategy with stakeholders or state commissioners, C-Suite officers, and directors.

Working at Synapse

Synapse offers numerous benefits to its employees:

• Generous and flexible PTO (35 days) 


• Flexible work hours and holidays, and the ability to choose a schedule that works for you


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• Work-life balance benefit: at the end of the year, salaried employees are compensated
  for every hour worked over their standard full-time work schedule


• Profit-sharing bonuses


• 401K plan; Synapse makes a safe harbor contribution of 3% salary


• Life Insurance


• Short- and long-term disability


• Employee Assistance Program


• Collaboration: everybody contributes, asks questions, proposes solutions, and works on interesting research and analysis


• Extensive professional development opportunities


• Cambridge, MA office space with sit-stand desks, lots of meeting space, indoor bike parking, and plenty of nitro cold-brew and kombucha on tap

Principal Associate base salary range is $108,000-$162,000 annually, based on a full-time schedule. Our base salary range does not include profit-sharing bonuses. Actual salaries will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. Synapse offers competitive market salaries, based on our primary market of nonprofits and government agencies. Our salaries reflect our work for these public interest clients.
We are looking for a candidate to start working in Summer 2024. Ideally, you will be located in the Boston area and work in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office on a hybrid basis. At its discretion, Synapse will consider applications from candidates who seek to be fully remote. Candidates should plan on occasional travel (2-3 days per month) to attend stakeholder meetings throughout the New England region. Travel locations and days may increase as business expands into new markets.

Please note that Synapse is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. Applicants must have permanent residency status or be otherwise authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please describe your experience and interest in wholesale markets and how you'll contribute to Synapse's business development in this area as a Principal Associate.

Synapse is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.