Junior System Planning Consultant

E Source; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance || dental || vision

Job summary

E Source is seeking a Junior System Planning Consultant to help deliver Transmission Adequacy and Reliability Assessments across the MISO and SPP footprints, from study setup through mitigation development and stakeholder review.

You’ll work with utilities, ISOs, and RTOs on studies to inform regulatory decisions and grid reliability. Requires a BS in electrical engineering, 5+ years in transmission planning, and PSS/E/PowerGEM experience; remote US role with salary $120,000–$150,000 plus bonus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in transmission planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading studies using TARA software.
• Strong working knowledge of NERC TPL standards and regional planning criteria.
• Advanced proficiency with PSS/E for planning studies.
• Experience with MISO/SPP planning processes (MTEP, ITP, DISIS).
• Experience with renewable integration and inverter-based resource impacts.
• Python scripting to automate planning studies.
• Experience with PowerWorld, PSLF, or equivalent planning tools.

Responsibilities

• Execute TARA studies for near- and long-term planning horizons (5–20 years).
• Structure and run steady-state power flow and contingency analyses for interconnection and reliability assessments.
• Identify and assess thermal overloads, voltage violations, and reliability impacts under forecasted conditions.
• Run studies in PSS_E and PowerGEM TARA, managing large contingency sets.
• Support development and validation of planning models, assumptions, and base cases.
• Document study assumptions, methods, and conclusions so they’re audit-ready and defensible.
• Help identify and evaluate transmission solutions including new lines and upgrades.
• Compare alternatives and develop phased solutions aligned with planning timescales.
• Communicate residual risk where full mitigation isn’t feasible.
• Support ISO submissions, stakeholder reviews, and regulatory inquiries.
• Serve as technical point of contact and present TARA results.

Skills

Transmission planning

Technical judgement

Independent study execution

Communication of complex findings

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Master's degree / PE license

Tools

PSS/E

PowerGEM

PowerWorld

PSLF

Job description

At E Source, we help utilities make sense of complexity in a rapidly changing landscape, and we’re looking for a Junior System Planning Consultant to help shape how that impact shows up in the world.

E Source is a research, data/analytics, and technology focused professional services firm focused exclusively on the Utility industry in North America. We help utilities target and serve their customers more effectively, enhance and optimize their grid, and leverage operating best practices and technologies to manage their business more effectively. Headquartered in Texas, we have 450+ employees across the US and Canada. Learn more at www.esource.com

As a Junior System Planning Consultant, you’ll help deliver Transmission Adequacy and Reliability Assessments (TARA) for clients across the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) footprints, from study setup through mitigation development and stakeholder review. You’ll work closely with utilities, developers, independent system operators (ISOs), and regional transmission organizations (RTOs) on studies that support critical infrastructure decisions, regulatory compliance, and long-term grid reliability. This role is ideal for someone who has hands‑on experience with long‑term transmission planning studies in PSS®E and TARA, brings strong technical judgment to complex power system problems, and wants to contribute to work that shapes real‑world decisions in the energy industry.

In this role, you will:

• Execute TARA studies for near- and long-term planning horizons (5–20 years)

• Apply North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Transmission Planning (TPL) standards TPL-001 through TPL-004, along with MISO and SPP planning criteria such as the MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP) and SPP Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP)

• Structure and run steady-state power flow and contingency analyses for generation interconnection, load interconnection, and reliability assessments, including SPP Definitive Interconnection System Impact Study (DISIS), MISO Network Resource Interconnection Service (NRIS) deliverability, Energy Resource Interconnection Service (ERIS), and NERC TPL planning assessments

• Identify and assess thermal overloads, voltage violations, and reliability impacts under forecasted system conditions, including load growth, generator retirements, renewable integration, and interconnection queues

• Run studies in PSS®E and PowerGEM TARA, managing large contingency sets and complex study cases efficiently

• Support development and validation of planning models, assumptions, and base cases

• Document study assumptions, methods, and conclusions so they’re audit‑ready and defensible

• Help identify and evaluate transmission solutions, including new transmission lines (such as 345 kV), reconductoring and uprating, static and dynamic reactive power solutions, topology changes, operational mitigations, and non‑wires alternatives

• Compare alternatives based on reliability benefit, cost, constructability, and implementation timing, and develop phased solutions aligned with planning and capital timelines

• Communicate residual risk clearly where full mitigation isn’t immediately feasible

• Support ISO submissions, stakeholder reviews, and regulatory or compliance inquiries

• Serve as a technical point of contact for assigned projects and present TARA results to utilities, developers, and ISO/RTO working groups

You’re likely a great fit if you:

• Genuinely enjoy system planning and the detailed technical work behind it

• Translate complex technical findings into clear, decision‑ready insights

• Can structure and run studies independently while collaborating closely with teammates and clients

• Care about accurate, well‑documented analysis and high standards for quality and professionalism

And even better if you:

• Have direct experience with MISO and/or SPP planning processes (MTEP, ITP, DISIS)

• Have supported ISO planning cycles, stakeholder processes, or NERC audits

• Have experience with renewable integration and inverter‑based resource (IBR) impacts

• Use Python or other scripting to automate planning studies

• Have worked with PowerWorld, PSLF, or equivalent planning tools

• Hold a master’s degree and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license

Experience and Skills to Qualify Include:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field

• 5+ years of progressive experience in transmission planning

• Demonstrated experience leading studies using TARA software

• Strong working knowledge of NERC TPL standards and regional planning criteria

• Advanced proficiency with PSS®E for planning studies

• Proven ability to independently develop and defend transmission solutions

At E Source, you’ll work alongside people who are thoughtful, curious, and deeply knowledgeable about utility and energy systems. We value clarity over jargon, substance over flash, and collaboration over ego. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and help shape a company that plays a real role in how the energy future unfolds.

What you can expect:

• Excellent insurance options, including medical, dental, and vision plans; company‑paid life insurance; company‑paid long‑and‑short‑term disability insurance; medical and dependent‑care flexible spending plans, and paid parental leave.

• A flexible time off (FTO) policy that provides paid time away from work, approved by your manager, while ensuring business needs, workload commitments, and appropriate coverage are maintained.

• A 401(k) plan with a 3% employer match.

The budgeted salary for this position is $120,000 – $150,000 USD + annual bonus. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience.

This role will be remote within the US, with a preference for candidates located in the MISO and/or SPP footprint.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US or Canada. We’re unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas or Labour Market Impact Assessments (Cdn) at this time.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.