Integrated Grid Planning and Dynamics - Modeler/Analyst

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies seeks a modeler/analyst to advance integrated grid planning and dynamics. You will build and analyze dynamic and steady-state models, support co-simulation, and study reliability and resilience of grids with high DER/IBR penetration.

You will collaborate with engineers and researchers to develop innovative methods and tools, support proposals, and publish results while contributing to the modernization of energy systems.

Qualifications

• This role requires strong knowledge of bulk power system dynamics and co-simulation.
• Experience with modeling distribution systems, DER and IBR, and hazards is preferred.
• DOE security clearance eligibility is required for Researcher roles.

Responsibilities

• Build, troubleshoot, and validate large-scale bulk/transmission power system models.
• Run AC power flow, dynamics, and contingency simulations across multiple scales.
• Develop and maintain co-simulation frameworks and automation scripts.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and present findings at venues.

Skills

Power system dynamics

Co-simulation

Modeling distribution systems

DER & IBR experience

Grid planning

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Master’s degree + 7+ years

Bachelor’s degree + 9+ years

Tools

Powerworld

PSS/E

PSCAD

DIgSILENT

HELICS

Python

Job description

Posting Title

Integrated Grid Planning and Dynamics - Modeler/Analyst

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation’s primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

Are you passionate about improving the reliability, resilience, and affordability of the electric grid with improved integrated planning techniques, including power flow, dynamics, and related analyses? Do you enjoy modeling distribution and transmission systems for a range of timescales, spatial resolutions and use cases? The Transmission and Distribution Interactions (T&D) group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center (GPAC) at NLR is looking for exceptional candidates to join our team to help connect bulk/transmission power flow, dynamic, and related contingency modeling within integrated grid planning frameworks and studies. Specifically, this role will work closely with NRL research engineers to build dynamic and steady-state G&T&D models, conduct power flow and dynamics studies for both existing and future grids, help develop co-simulation frameworks, and perform natural hazard and multi-hazard modeling. These will be used in collaboration with a range of partners to understand and propose solutions to 1) managing a high percentage of IBRs and DER, and 2) prioritizing investments to improve the reliability and resilience of the grid.

The ideal candidate would bring solid knowledge on bulk power system dynamics, co-simulation, along with experience modeling of distribution systems, DER & IBR, and natural/man-made hazards.

We are researchers, engineers, software developers, modelers, physicists, product managers, thought leaders, system thinkers, and life-long learners. We strive to push the boundaries of innovation, integrated analysis, and computational tool development. You would join us in developing innovative modeling approaches, collaboratively applying them with a wide-range of research and industry partners to conduct high-impact analysis and working to articulate current trends and chart future needs in integrated grid systems. A sample of on-going research include reliability studies examining interactions between DER and bulk grid dynamics; interactions between generation dispatch during black-sky days; and impacts of natural and human-caused threats on the grid.

Come join a team whose mission is to innovate, inform, and create value for energy systems transitions, including renewable energy, distribution systems, transmission systems, energy storage, markets, and economics and much more.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build, troubleshoot, and validate large-scale bulk/transmission power system models
• Conduct AC power flow, dynamics, and contingency simulations across scales ranging from smaller island and regional-scale systems up to national and international interconnections
• Design, develop and maintain co-simulation frameworks
• Apply best-practice code development techniques
• Perform analysis demonstrating the importance of technical capabilities.

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of developers, engineers, and analysts

• Present work at conferences, symposia, and project meetings.
• Contribute to journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports
• Work with other staff to develop proposals and partnerships for funding opportunities

What we can offer:

• A collaborative, supportive, flexible, and fun work environment
• Training, mentoring, and collaboration to build upon or learn new technical skills
• Interesting work where you don’t do the same thing every day
• Projects, professional development, and growth opportunities to help you meet your career goals
• A professional environment that encourages innovation and imaginative thinking to understand and plan the future electric power system
• Adaptable schedule to promote work-life balance.

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Basic Qualifications

This role can be hired as an RIV or an RIII:

Researcher IV:
Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master’s Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor’s Degree and 9 or more years of experience .

Researcher III:
Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master’s Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor’s Degree and 5 or more years of experience .

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Researcher IV:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance. Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information.
• Experience with commercial power system power flow software such as Powerworld, PSS/E, or similar
• Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines
• Considered a technical resource
• Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities
• Demonstrated experience in management of projects
• Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in team settings

Researcher III:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance. Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information.
• Experience with commercial power system power flow software such as Powerworld, PSS/E, or similar
• Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field
• General knowledge of other related disciplines
• Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities
• Demonstrated experience in management of projects
• Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven expertise with developing, modeling, troubleshooting, and in-depth analysis with power system dynamics (phasor, RMS) and large-scale EMT simulations using widely-used commercial software tools including Powerworld, EMTP, PSS/E, PSCAD, and DIgSILENT
• Experience with production cost modeling tools, such as PLEXOS-LT or Sienna, and their interactions with power flow models
• Experience automating, conducting, and visualizing engineering analyses for large-scale grids, including N-1, N-1-1, and N-k contingencies; frequency response; and multiple stability criteria for both strong and weak grids
• Experience developing and validating dynamic and transient models for both grid-forming and grid-following IBRs with a variety of energy sources, including solar, wind, and storage
• Experience troubleshooting and adapting system-scale models for convergence, particularly for future scenarios with extensive changes to the generator fleet and wide-spread transmission expansion
• Experience with software development for scripting and automation of such analyses, particularly in Python, Julia, or Rust
• Experience with multi-model and co-simulation frameworks such as HELICS
• Experience with resilience analysis to both natural hazards and man-made threats.
• Experience capturing DER and IBR within these modeling paradigms
• Familiarity with DER and IBR interconnection standards such as IEEE 2800 or IEEE 1547
• Familiarity with distribution modeling using widely-used tools such as OpenDSS, CYME, and Synergi

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Researcher IV / Annual Salary Range: $100,400 - $180,700

Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $83,600 - $150,500

NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*-and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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