Microgrid System Studies & Validation Engineer

Delta Electronics Americas; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Electronics Americas is looking for an experienced engineer to handle end-to-end power system studies and protection engineering for utility-grade and hyperscale microgrid projects. The role includes conducting reliability modeling and compliance assessments, utilizing tools like PSCAD and DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Ideal candidates should have 3-7 years of experience in power studies and engineering, a degree in Electrical Engineering, and strong analytical skills. This position is based in the United States and may involve limited travel.

Qualifications

• 3–7+ years of experience in power system studies, protection engineering, validation, and/or reliability modeling.
• Hands-on experience with RMS/EMT modeling and study execution.
• Familiarity with inverter-based resources and microgrid control interactions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct power system studies and compliance assessments.
• Perform protection modeling and short-circuit analysis.
• Develop and validate detailed models for microgrid controls.

Skills

Power system studies

Protection engineering

Reliability modeling

Documentation skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSCAD

PSS E

DIgSILENT PowerFactory

ETAP

CYME

Job description

Delta, founded in 1971, is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of smart energy‑saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data center infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a world‑class corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy‑efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high‑efficiency power electronics and its ESG‑embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across five continents. Delta has 158 sales offices, 72 R&D centers and 48 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies, and dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for 11 consecutive years. In 2021, Delta was also recognized by CDP with leadership level ratings for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain.

Role Summary

Responsible for end‑to‑end power system studies, protection engineering, grid code compliance, quantitative reliability (RAM) modeling, and closed‑loop validation for utility‑grade and hyperscale microgrid projects. This role ensures microgrid solutions are safe, selective, stable, compliant, and demonstrably robust prior to field deployment by combining RMS/EMT studies, protection coordination, availability analysis, and SIL/HIL validation across grid‑connected and islanded operating modes.

Core Scope

• RMS and EMT power system studies for microgrids and inverter‑dominated systems
• Utility interconnection / grid code compliance assessment and formal reporting
• Protection modeling, short‑circuit analysis, and coordination for grid‑connected and islanded operation
• Quantitative Reliability, Availability & Maintainability (RAM) modeling to support architecture trade‑offs and contractual SLAs
• System‑level validation using SIL/HIL (e.g., RTDS) including abnormal event and fault response verification

Key Responsibilities

• Perform RMS and EMT‑level studies using PSCAD, PSS E, and/or DIgSILENT PowerFactory (load flow, short‑circuit, transient stability, frequency response, voltage performance)
• Evaluate inverter‑dominated dynamics including weak‑grid operation, SCR sensitivity, control interactions, and fault recovery behavior
• Assess islanding, black‑start, resynchronization, and large load‑step response for microgrid operational readiness
• Develop/validate detailed models for PCS, BESS, plant controllers, and microgrid controls; manage model assumptions and versioning
• Ensure compliance with IEEE 1547 and utility/region‑specific interconnection requirements; respond to technical clarifications from utilities and EPCs
• Prepare formal study packages and compliance reports; present results and mitigations to customers, utilities, and internal design reviews
• Perform symmetrical and asymmetrical fault studies for grid‑connected and islanded conditions
• Execute protection coordination studies and validate relay settings, zones, and clearing times (e.g., ETAP, CYME, MATLAB)
• Assess inverter fault current contribution, relay sensitivity, and protection performance in inverter‑based resource environments
• Support adaptive and inverter‑based protection scheme evaluations; ensure protection–control coordination with control/firmware teams
• Document coordination curves, assumptions, study conclusions, and recommended mitigation measures
• Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, and utility witness testing for protection and interconnection performance

Reliability (RAM) Modeling & Architecture Trade‑offs

• Develop quantitative reliability/availability models for BESS, PCS, controls, and balance‑of‑plant using ReliaSoft or equivalent RAM tools
• Analyze failure modes, redundancy schemes, repair/recovery strategies, and single‑point‑of‑failure risks
• Run Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analyses to quantify availability drivers and optimize redundancy vs. cost
• Provide quantitative inputs for architecture decisions and support contractual availability/performance guarantees
• Document modeling assumptions, data sources, results, and actionable recommendations for design and operations
• Develop SIL and HIL test environments integrating EMS, real‑time control, and unit controllers
• Execute closed‑loop validation using RTDS (or equivalent) with physical control hardware and representative plant models
• Validate grid‑connected, islanded, transition, black‑start, and fault response behavior against requirements and acceptance criteria
• Simulate communication failures, asset outages, and abnormal grid events to verify resilience and safe fallback behavior
• Support troubleshooting, tuning, and performance optimization in collaboration with control, firmware, and commissioning teams
• Create and maintain test procedures, test reports, defect tracking, and corrective action closure evidence

Typical Deliverables

• RMS/EMT study reports: load flow, short‑circuit, transient stability, frequency/voltage performance, islanding/black‑start analyses
• Grid code / interconnection compliance packages and utility response documentation
• Protection coordination files: one‑lines, settings, coordination curves, protection narratives, and witness‑test evidence
• RAM model files, assumptions, sensitivity results, and SLA/availability justification
• SIL/HIL test plans, test cases, scripts/configurations, execution reports, and traceable verification evidence

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 3–7+ years of experience in power system studies, protection engineering, validation, and/or reliability modeling (level commensurate with experience)
• Hands‑on experience with at least two of: PSCAD, PSS E, DIgSILENT PowerFactory (RMS/EMT modeling and study execution)
• Experience with protection study tools such as ETAP and/or CYME; understanding of protection coordination methods
• Familiarity with inverter‑based resources, microgrid control interactions, and utility interconnection requirements
• Experience with HIL/real‑time simulation (e.g., RTDS) or equivalent closed‑loop validation methods
• Strong analytical, documentation, and cross‑functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ReliaSoft (or equivalent) for RAM modeling and Monte Carlo availability analysis
• Exposure to utility/hyperscale microgrid projects, including black‑start, resynchronization, and islanded operation
• Experience supporting FAT/SAT/commissioning and utility witness tests
• Knowledge of IEEE 1547 and common utility grid‑code frameworks; ability to translate requirements into study/test acceptance criteria
• Scripting/automation skills (e.g., Python/MATLAB) for study post‑processing and test/report automation

Additional Requirements

• Professional working proficiency in English; additional languages are a plus
• Ability to travel up to ~15%, including international travel as needed
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to present technical findings to utilities and customers
• Ability to work with cross‑functional and cross‑region teams