NERC Compliance Engineer -open to Texas, Midwest, East locations

NRG Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 98,480 - 162,480; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K

Annual bonuses

Job summary

A leading energy company seeks a NERC Compliance/Electrical Specialist in Houston, Texas. This role involves ensuring adherence to NERC standards through analysis of protection systems and support for compliance audits. Candidates should have 5+ years of experience in power plant operations with a solid understanding of NERC O&P regulations. The position offers a competitive salary and a hybrid work environment, allowing for both office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Five to ten years experience with NERC compliance programs.
• Solid understanding of NERC Operations and Planning (O&P) standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.

Responsibilities

• Technically assess protection system settings for compliance.
• Review maintenance results and recommend corrective actions.
• Support modeling tests at Power plants for NERC standards.

Skills

NERC compliance programs

Electrical systems

Instrument and control systems

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/control engineering

Tools

ETAP

EPRI PPPD

Siemens PSS/E

ASPEN

Job description

As an NRG employee, we encourage you to take charge of your career and development journey. We invite you to explore exciting opportunities across our businesses. You’ll find that our dynamic work environment provides variety and challenge. Your growth is key to our ongoing success—take the lead in shaping your career development, goals and future!

Job Summary

As a member of the ETS Electrical NERC Team, the NERC Compliance/Electrical Specialist provides essential support for NRG’s NERC Operations and Planning (O&P) Compliance Program under the leadership of the Regulatory Compliance Manager. This dynamic position involves assisting with analyzing protection systems settings, modeling generator system performance, supporting design change projects for NERC O&P, serving as an SME during audits and assessments, and managing engineering documentation and reporting. This position also provides opportunity to assist in emergent protection and electrical equipment issues in the NRG fleet. With periodic travel to power plant locations and collaboration with cross-functional teams, this role ensures adherence to NERC O&P standards while staying current with evolving requirements, ultimately contributing to the integrity and reliability of our plant operations.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Technically assess and document reports of protection system settings for compliance with the NERC PRC standards.
• Review protection system maintenance results and recommend required corrective actions.
• Support execution of modeling tests at the Power plants for compliance with the NERC MOD standards.
• Analyze plant data to ensure the ratings and performance is in line with the NERC FAC, TPL, and VAR standards.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of NERC O&P compliance related work.
• Stay abreast of evolving NERC O&P regulations, standards, and guidelines including involvement in the industry to shape them.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Legal Regulatory Compliance, plant, market operations, and construction, to integrate NERC compliance considerations into project development, training, and operational processes.
• Assist with preparing for NERC regional O&P compliance audits and facilitating the audit process.
• Assist in resolution of emergent generator system issues including excitation systems and protection systems.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment with office opportunities in either, Houston, Pittsburgh or Princeton along with NRG Plant locations in the Midwest, East and Texas.
• Open office environment and plant environment.
• Periodic travel to power plants and regional NERC meetings.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience in power plant operations (e.g., electrical systems, instrument and control systems, maintenance, etc.).
• Five to ten years experience with NERC compliance programs.
• Solid understanding of the NERC Operations and Planning (O&P) standards, regulations, and compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical/control engineering or related field from an accredited college or university. Commensurate experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Experience navigating engineering tools (e.g., ETAP, EPRI PPPD, Siemens PSS/E, and ASPEN) is a plus.
• Proven ability to stay current with evolving regulatory changes, NERC O&P standards, and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with all levels of internal or external groups.
• Strong people skills and ability to work in both team environments and independently.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proactive, analytical self‑manager with critical thinking skills and keen judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
• Excellent attention to detail, highly organized with an initiative‑taking approach. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical ability and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to navigate the power plant environment independently and deliver solutions.

The base salary range for this position is: $98,480 - $162,480*

*The base salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus, short‑ and long‑term incentives, and program‑specific awards. In addition the position may be eligible to participate in the benefits program which include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending accounts.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol‑free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post‑accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

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