Manager/Sr Manager Grid Implementation

ERCOT; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 219,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

ERCOT is seeking a Senior Manager/Manager for the Grid Implementation team in Taylor, TX. The role oversees day-to-day and strategic direction, coordinating with planning and operations to address grid changes and reliability issues.

Open to candidates with extensive experience in grid planning/operations and leadership, with a focus on CMPs, GTCs, RASs, and EAPs. The position requires 8–10+ years of relevant experience, a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering (Master's preferred), and PE

Qualifications

• Sr Manager: Requires minimum 10 years job related work experience and 3 years in a management or leadership role in excess of degree requirements.
• Manager: Requires minimum 8 years job related work experience and 2 years in a management or leadership role in excess of degree requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day and strategic direction of the Grid Implementation team.
• Serves as bridge between planning and operations horizon from a grid improvements perspective.
• Assesses where new transmission constraints may occur due to load growth, change in generation resources and impacts of incremental transmission upgrades over the next several seasons prior to changes occurring.
• Works with other internal groups to develop appropriate study cases and tools for the appropriate study timeframe.
• Communicates and coordinates with TDSPs to gather and share input information, identify issues and potential solutions.
• As needed, develop CMPs, voltage and thermal-related GTCs required to mitigate identified reliability issues.
• Coordinates with other teams to identify need and implement localized contracts for capacity to resolve transmission reliability issues where appropriate.
• Leads annual review of CMPs.
• Responsible for review and implementation of EAPs.
• Responsible for reviews of proposed and existing RASs.
• Responsible for development of operating plans to promote the reliable and efficient use of the transmission system, including development and review of CMPs, RASs, EAPs.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for system performance standards and strategy for the ERCOT System.
• Maintains compliance with NERC Standards, ERCOT Protocols, Operating Guides and other binding documents, as appropriate, and supports revision process for assigned sections.
• Develops and sustains a high-level understanding of the competitive energy markets.
• Coordinates closely with other teams across System Planning, Operations and Grid Integration.
• Represents ERCOT on various ERO and ERCOT committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field (Required)

Master's Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field (Preferred)

or combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge

Job description

Austin, TX

Full time

R2440

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career.

ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Manages the day-to-day and strategic direction of the Grid Implementation team. Responsible for analysis of upcoming changes to the grid (energization of new loads, generation resources, and transmission equipment) in discrete stages over the next several seasons to identify potential reliability issues that may occur as these changes are implemented. Also responsible for the communication of those issues to impacted teams, and for the development of mitigations to ensure ongoing reliability. Responsible for the determination, development and review of thermal/cascading-related Generic Transmission Constraints (GTCs), Congestion Management Plans (CMPs), Remedial Action Schemes (RASs), and Extended Action Plans (EAPs).

Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for the planning and operation of the electric power system. Supervises analysis and system studies, ensures appropriate system modeling techniques are utilized; analyzes simulated or actual operating results; develops solutions to current or future system issues; develops tools and procedures; develops solutions to current or future system issues, and appropriately reports findings and recommendations. Serves as a mentor for junior staff.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

• Manages the day-to-day and strategic direction of the Grid Implementation team.
• Serves as bridge between planning and operations horizon from a grid improvements perspective.
• Assesses where new transmission constraints may occur due to load growth, change in generation resources and impacts of incremental transmission upgrades over the next several seasons prior to changes occurring.
• Works with other internal groups to develop appropriate study cases and tools for the appropriate study timeframe.
• Communicates and coordinates with TDSPs to gather and share input information, identify issues and potential solutions.
• As needed, develop CMPs, voltage and thermal-related GTCs required to mitigate identified reliability issues.
• Coordinates with other teams to identify need and implement localized contracts for capacity to resolve transmission reliability issues where appropriate.
• Leads annual review of CMPs.
• Responsible for review and implementation of EAPs.
• Responsible for reviews of proposed and existing RASs.
• Responsible for development of operating plans to promote the reliable and efficient use of the transmission system, including development and review of CMPs, RASs, EAPs.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for system performance standards and strategy for the ERCOT System.
• Maintains compliance with NERC Standards, ERCOT Protocols, Operating Guides and other binding documents, as appropriate, and supports revision process for assigned sections.
• Develops and sustains a high-level understanding of the competitive energy markets.
• Coordinates closely with other teams across System Planning, Operations and Grid Integration.
• Represents ERCOT on various ERO and ERCOT committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces.
• Responsible for hiring, coaching, training, and performance management of staff.
• Reviews and approves staff leave requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Sr Manager: Requires minimum 10 years job related work experience and 3 years in a management or leadership role in excess of degree requirements. Minimum years of job-related experience can include time in leadership roles.
• Manager: Requires minimum 8 years job related work experience and 2 years in a management or leadership role in excess of degree requirements. Minimum years of job-related experience can include time in leadership roles.

This role is open to both Manager and Sr Manager depending on the selected candidates experience for the role.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience in Planning and/or Operations
• Experience with grid interconnection studies and processes

CERTIFICATION

• PE Professional Engineer (Preferred)

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field (Required)
• Master's Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field (Preferred)
• or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required

WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX:

• Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at a minimum of 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management
• Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence.
• Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time.

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range:

$219,000 - $301,000

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities.

ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan.

The medical, dental, vision (https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2023/11/29/Benefits-Highlights-2024.pdf) , and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans (https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2019/09/23/ERCOT_401K_Sept_2019_FINAL.pdf) are available to help employees plan for the future.

The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path.

Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT.

The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups.

The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers.

The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering.

The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.