Lead Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

National Grid; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 139,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Lead Engineer for Electrical Planning and Design in upstate New York. You will lead Transmission Planning studies, model power flows and short-circuit scenarios, and defend recommendations to executives.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across Syracuse, Albany, and Buffalo offices to ensure safe, reliable, and economical energy delivery. You will manage study scoping, timelines, and budgets while coordinating with NYISO and NPCC processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering required.
• Experience leading project teams (onsite or virtual).
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting understanding.
• Experience with power flow and short-circuit analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct analytical studies for transmission system expansion and interconnection.
• Perform thermal capability analysis for lines, transformers, breakers, switches, and arresters.
• Model power flow and stability using PSS/E, ASPEN, and TARA; collaborate with teams.
• Document findings and defend recommendations to executives funding projects.
• Lead project scopes and manage study execution in NYISO and NPCC contexts.
• Implement Transmission Planning policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with NYISO Interconnection Cluster Study and related processes.
• Support Control Centers with outage sequencing and safe shutdowns.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial acumen

Power system analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSS/E

ASPEN

PowerGem TARA

MS Office

Job description

Lead Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

National Grid is hiring a Lead Engineer for our Transmission and Planning department in one of our upstate New York offices located in Syracuse, Albany, or Buffalo, NY.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live.

The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating, and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

Perform Transmission Planning functions within the Transmission Planning group responsible for New York. Establish transmission development/expansion plans for the optimized, safe, and effective management of our transmission assets with respect to thermal (powerflow), stability, voltage, and short circuit requirements over their whole life cycle in New York.

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct analytical studies for transmission system expansion, interconnection of new generation, and load to the transmission system. These analytical studies should consider power system thermal, voltage, and reactive behavior, and short circuit performance as they relate to system reliability, production costs, economics, and operating flexibility.
• Perform thermal capability (ratings) analysis for transmission lines, power transformers, circuit breakers, switches, and surge arresters.
• Perform all computer modeling (PSS/E, ASPEN, TARA) necessary to conduct power flow and stability studies for Transmission Planning as well as other National Grid engineering functions; utilize a team approach to ensure consistent and thorough analysis in all Transmission Planning studies.
• Familiar with Production Cost Modeling is a plus.
• Document study findings in reports and prepare and defend recommendations in presentations to executives responsible for funding decisions.
• Implement policies and procedures relative to Transmission Planning.
• Participate in the NYISO Interconnection Cluster Study process (FERC order 2023) including completion of pre-application reviews, review of study scopes, steady state cases, and short circuit cases, Feasibility Reports, System Impact studies and Facility Studies individually and as a member of a team.
• Fulfill a lead role (i.e. project manager role) during study phase of projects to ensure that projects are fully scoped in a timely manner.
• Work in a project team environment interacting with individuals with various technical specialties and industry experience.
• Resolve technical issues that may arise in different phases of a project.
• Assist the Control Center(s) regarding outage sequences, safe and reliable shutdown of Company transmission facilities as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Proven ability to lead and supervise a project team and/or virtual teams to achieve business objectives.
• Take a leadership role to motivate, mentor, and support engineers and other team members to achieve required outcomes that meet stakeholder and customer needs.
• Strong financial acumen, including practical knowledge of utility accounting, budgeting principles, and common financial terminology.
• Demonstrated track record of initiating change, challenging the status quo, and driving constructive innovation.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering inter-departmental process improvements.
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 9 to 10 years of related experience and credentials.
• Valid driver's license required with a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver policy.
• Experience with techniques in power flow, and short circuit analysis.
• Proficiency in personal computer office-based software applications such as MSOffice (Word, Excel, and Access.)
• Work ethic that includes internal and external customer focus, flexibility, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritize work and participate as a team member on multiple projects at one time, to work in a fast paced and competitive environment.
• Demonstrate a high level of personal initiative and ability to interact with company personnel, external engineering firms, regulatory representatives, and ISO/NPCC/NERC representatives in a positive, team building manner.
• Familiarity with transmission planning standards and criteria of NERC, NPCC.

Preferred

• A master's degree or advanced certificate in an engineering discipline is preferred.
• Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT) or Professional Engineering License (PE) is preferred.
• PSS/E, ASPEN and/or PowerGem TARA software experience preferred.
• Experience within an RTO (such as ISO-NE, NYISO, PJM, CAISO etc.) planning processes preferred.
• Knowledge of power systems preferred including protection system operation and reliability philosophy, utility system practices, three-phase power system theory/operation both static and dynamic, short circuit theory /application, motor generation theory/application, reactive compensation theory, substation configuration/construction/maintenance techniques, transmission line configurations/design/maintenance techniques, outage planning, and congestion philosophy and analysis.

$139,000 - $163,000 a year

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.