Operations Engineer Senior

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc.; Taylor (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

ERCOT in Taylor, TX is seeking a Senior Engineer to provide electrical engineering analysis and technical support for the operation of the electric power system. You will develop models, run steady-state studies, and deliver actionable recommendations to maintain reliability.

You will work with PowerWorld, PSSE, and VSAT, mentor teammates, coordinate with stakeholders, and contribute to grid reliability projects. 5+ years in power systems, EE degree, PE preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Graduate degree preferred but not required.
• PE license preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform steady-state analyses using power flow models under supervision.
• Assist in evaluations and analyses from operations perspective on market/protocol design issues.
• Structure operations studies to determine CMPs and regional interfaces.
• Lead or participate in studies to maintain grid reliability.
• Mentor and advise less experienced engineers.

Skills

Power systems

Power flow analysis

Programming scripting

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Electrical Engineering

Graduate Degree: Electrical Engineering (Preferred)

Tools

PSSE

PowerWorld

VSAT

Job description

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.

As a Grid Analysis engineer at ERCOT, you will enter a collaborative place to influence and shape the reliability of the electric power grid while developing your engineering and leadership skills. Our world class operations teams work creatively to perform steady-state analysis using the most advanced power flow models and support ERCOT stakeholders in crafting requirements to reliability integrate new technologies.

Responsibility of the Grid Analysis includes, but are not limited to the following:

• Perform power-flow simulations to evaluate Constraint Management Plans (CMPs) and Remedial Action Schemes (RASs) using tools such as PowerWorld, PSSE, VSAT, etc.
• Perform regional power transfer analysis to identify potential wide-area cascading risks.
• Develop and maintain ERCOT’s Black Start Plan from resource selection to the restoration plan.
• Evaluate current performance of generator and transmission equipment against the reliability requirements and forecast future requirement needs.
• Propose and implement improvements which may include rule/requirement changes to maintain the reliability of the future grid.

JOB SUMMARY

Provide electrical engineering analysis and technical support for the operations of the electric power system. Implement appropriate system modeling, develop tools and procedures to monitor and control the system, perform system studies, analyze simulated or actual operating results, develop solutions to current or future system issues, and appropriately report findings and recommendations.

• Design and perform steady-state analyses using power flow models (PSSE, VSAT, or PowerWorld) under the direction of a senior level engineer or management.

• Assist in providing input and analyses from the operations perspective on market/protocol design issues to support other activities.

• Structure appropriate operations studies and sensitivity analyses to determine the need for Constraint Management Plans (CMPs) and regional power transfer interfaces.

• Help develop improvements to maintain reliability of the electric system.

• Serves as a technical Subject Matter Expert for the department.

• Make independent decisions except in instances of unusually complex engineering scenarios.

• Work on the most complex engineering issues where analysis of situations requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors.

• Ability to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways.

• May coordinate, provide presentations and participate in stakeholder meetings with ERCOT personnel and Market Participants.

• Foster and leverage strong working relationships with team and other internal departments.

• Lend professional expertise to guide projects and help teammates assigned by manager.

• Act as mentor and advisor to less experienced engineers/analysts.

• Lead multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments and perform studies.

• Demonstrate skills as an expert user of power system software applications and tools, spreadsheet programs, and database programs.

• Maintain knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices.

Senior Engineer

• Minimum 5 years experience as a power system engineer or similar type role within the electric utility industry.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field, or a combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with knowledge equivalent to a major in such fields.
• Graduate Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field (Preferred).

CERTIFICATION

• PE (Professional Engineer) license is preferred but not required.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Power-flow simulation experience.
• Programming or scripting experience.

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.
• On-site schedules are flexible or may be rotated based on business needs as determined by the Manager.
• 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

Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT.

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.

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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:

$110,000 - $151,000