Business Development, Virtual Power Plants

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What to Expect

Tesla's Virtual Power Plant (VPP) team is at the forefront of transforming how energy is generated, stored, and delivered across the country. We partner with electric utilities, technology platform providers, program implementers, and installation networks to unlock the full potential of Tesla's residential energy ecosystem —including Powerwall, Powershare, and Wall Connector — at scale.

We are looking for a driven, utility-savvy business development professional to own and grow Tesla's VPP utility relationships across the eastern United States. This is a high-visibility, high-autonomy role where you will serve as Tesla's primary external representative to utilities in your territory — building the relationships, market intelligence, and program pipeline that will define the next chapter of residential VPP growth.

If you are deeply embedded in the utility ecosystem, passionate about the energy transition, and energized by the opportunity to operate with real ownership and executive exposure, this role is for you.

This role is eligible for remote work.


What You'll Do
  • Business Development: Independently develop and execute a territory-level business development strategy to grow Tesla's VPP program footprint. Identify, qualify, and pursue new program opportunities with utilities, municipalities, co-ops, and energy service providers across the region. Identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers at utilities— from energy efficiency and demand response teams to distributed generation and grid operations, regulatory affairs, and executive leadership
  • Territory Ownership & Market Intelligence: Develop and maintain a deep, comprehensive understanding of the utility landscape across the eastern US — including utility structures, regulatory environments, integrated resource plans (IRPs), demand response programs, and procurement cycles. Serve as the internal expert on your territory, proactively identifying where Tesla's VPP programs can gain traction and scale
  • Proposal & Contract Negotiation: Lead the development of comprehensive proposals and manage contract negotiations to secure new VPP partnerships and program agreements, finding solutions that align with both Tesla's objectives and the utility's operational and regulatory needs
  • Product Expertise: Serve as a subject matter expert on Tesla's full suite of residential energy products —Powerwall, Powershare, and Wall Connector — and their role within the broader VPP ecosystem. Effectively communicate technical capabilities, program economics, and customer value propositions to utility partners at all levels
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams across engineering, policy, marketing, finance, and operations to ensure seamless program execution, partner satisfaction, and continuous improvement of Tesla's VPP offerings
  • Market & Regulatory Monitoring: Stay ahead of industry trends, utility regulatory proceedings, state energy policy developments, and emerging technologies across your territory. Work with our VPP policy lead to translate market intelligence into strategic recommendations that keep Tesla competitive and well-positioned for future program opportunities

What You'll Bring

  • Utility Industry Expertise: Deep familiarity with the electric utility ecosystem — including investor-owned utilities(IOUs), co-ops, and municipal utilities — and a strong understanding of utility operations, grid management, demand response, and the regulatory frameworks governing energy programs across the eastern US
  • Relationship Building: A proven track record of building and maintaining trusted, long-term relationships with complex organizations. Comfortable navigating large utility organizations and engaging stakeholders across technical, regulatory, and executive functions
  • Business Development Acumen: Demonstrated ability to independently identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities in the energy sector. Experience developing and executing territory-level strategies that drive measurable growth
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to synthesize market intelligence, regulatory dynamics, and customer needs into clear, actionable strategies. A track record of developing successful, complex programs in a fast-moving environment
  • Technical Aptitude: Ability to quickly develop fluency in Tesla's residential energy products and VPP technology, and to communicate technical specifications and program mechanics clearly to utility partners with varying levels of technical sophistication
  • Organization & Execution: Highly organized and comfortable managing multiple concurrent partnerships and programs with a high degree of complexity and competing priorities
  • Travel: Willingness to travel regularly across the eastern US to meet with utility partners, and represent Tesla at industry conferences and events


Compensation and Benefits
Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

  • Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
  • Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
  • Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
  • Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
  • Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
  • Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
  • Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
  • Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
  • Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
  • Tesla Babies program
  • Commuter benefits
  • Employee discounts and perks program


Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
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