TOP THINGS:
we are looking for someone who is adept and customer discovery and identifying our customer needs through interviews
someone who is familiar with batteries and other distributed energy resources
someone who is nimble and comfortable operating in an ambiguous and fast-paced environment
EQUIPMENT: Only a client laptop will be provided, no monitors. They can start on a personal device or vendor-provided device if the Client laptop is delayed.
If they travel they get the travel approved ahead of time, then file an expense report for reimbursement for the airfare/hotel
Product Manager – Battery Customer Strategy Lead
Contractor | Individual Contributor | Hybrid (preferred) | Reports to Principal Product Lead
Meet Project Foxtrot
Project Foxtrot is a new venture being developed within Client's Innovation Accelerator. The project is exploring how various customer-sited battery configurations can create measurable value for customers, the electric grid, and Client.
During Phase 1, the team evaluated more than 40 potential battery-related value streams to determine which value streams are most profitable. Phase 2 (Incubate) will focus on identifying and validating target customers, generating and refining solution concepts that achieve problem + market fit through iterative testing, further economic analysis, and developing an operating model for a new business that can deploy flexible capacity solutions at scale.
At the conclusion of the ~4-month Incubation Phase (concluding at the end of 2026), the venture will be assessed by its governing executive board in order to move forward. If the project advances there is expected to be an opportunity to extend the role on a longer-term basis.
The Role
The Foxtrot team is seeking an experienced contractor with deep expertise in retail battery energy storage solutions, distributed energy resources, and utility markets. This individual will serve as a strategic and technical advisor to the venture team, helping identify customer opportunities, evaluate solution concepts, understand market dynamics, and translate battery capabilities into utility and customer value. The ideal candidate has experience working across battery vendors, developers, aggregators, utilities, virtual power plants (VPPs), DER programs, energy markets, or customer-sited energy solutions. They should be equally comfortable sharing early-stage solutions for feedback with potential target customers via customer interview.
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Accountabilities:
Customer & Market Discovery
Conduct interviews with a range of utility stakeholders, residential customers, vendors, developers, aggregators, and industry experts
Evaluate customer pain points and willingness to adopt battery-enabled solutions
Identify emerging market opportunities in DERs, VPPs, microgrids, and flexible capacity services
Product & Business Model Development
Develop and refine battery-related product/program concepts
Assess ownership, operational, and financing structures
Explore utility-owned, third-party-owned, and customer-owned deployment models
Support development of commercialization and scaling strategies
Technical & Market Analysis
Analyze battery capabilities, performance constraints, and deployment considerations
Evaluate battery participation opportunities in CAISO, resource adequacy, demand flexibility, and other DER markets
Assess opportunities for value stacking across utility and customer use cases
Strategy & Executive Support
Prepare materials for governing executive board members
Support development of business cases and investment recommendations
Identify risks, dependencies, and scaling considerations
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Required Experience
5+ years of experience in BESS, DERs, distributed grid solutions, or related energy markets
Demonstrated experience with customer-sited or distributed battery solutions
Strong understanding of battery economics, value stacking, and deployment models
Experience working with electric utilities, utility customers, energy developers, aggregators, or DER service providers
Familiarity with wholesale and retail electricity markets
Experience conducting market research, customer discovery, or product strategy work
Strong analytical, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills
Proven ability to work in highly ambiguous, early-stage environments
Ability to work within a consensus-driven environment
Desired Experience
Experience with California energy markets and regulatory environments
Familiarity with CAISO, resource adequacy, demand response, and virtual power plant programs
Experience working with large commercial and industrial energy customers
Understanding of distribution planning, grid modernization, interconnection, or non-wires alternatives
Experience in venture building, product management, management consulting, innovation programs, or startup environments
Experience developing utility-scale or behind-the-meter battery products
EEO:
“Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.”