Distributed Energy Resource Specialist

Design, deploy, and optimize distributed energy resource programs including rooftop solar, battery storage, demand response, and virtual power plants for electric utilities and energy service companies. Develop DER aggregation strategies, analyze grid hosting capacity, and design customer-facing programs that deliver value to both participants and the grid. Collaborate with utilities, regulators, and technology vendors to advance DER market development.

Median salary: $110,000. Projected growth to 2033: 18% (much faster than average) - driven by FERC Order 2222 and DER market growth. Typical education: Bachelor's Degree.

At a glance

Median salary: $110,000
Entry-level: $72,000 - $90,000
Senior: $160,000+
Growth by 2033: 18% (much faster than average) - driven by FERC Order 2222 and DER market growth
Demand: Growing Fast
Remote: Hybrid
Hours per week: 40-50 hours/week
Stress: Moderate

What you'd do

People interaction: Moderate
Team vs solo: 55% Team / 45% Solo
Client facing: Sometimes
Impact visibility: High

How to get there

Minimum education: Bachelor's Degree
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 3-5 years
Years to senior: 7-10 years
Career switching: Moderate
Typical student debt: $30,000 - $60,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

DER Aggregation & Virtual Power Plant Design
Grid Hosting Capacity Analysis
Demand Response Program Design
DERMS & Energy Management Systems
FERC Order 2222 Compliance
Customer Engagement & Program Marketing

Soft skills

Analytical Thinking
Technical Problem-Solving
Stakeholder Engagement
Project Management
Written Communication

Technical complexity: High

Typical career path

DER Analyst
DER Specialist
Senior DER Specialist
DER Program Manager
Director of Distributed Energy