Planning Engineer Lead

Electric Reliability Council of Texas; Taylor, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) seeks an experienced power systems engineer to provide engineering analysis and technical support for planning and operation of the Texas grid.

You will develop system models, run studies, and report findings to stakeholders while mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent is required.
• PE Professional Engineer is preferred.
• Experience as a power system engineer in electric utilities is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical expert for the department and lead project work and audits.
• Collaborate with other ERCOT departments to implement system changes.
• Communicate analysis results to stakeholders and management; prepare reports/testimony when needed.
• Provide on-the-job training or mentoring to engineers/analysts as required.
• Support planning studies, market design inputs, and reliability analyses.

Skills

Power systems analysis

Mentoring/leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

PE Professional Engineer (Preferred)

Tools

PSSE

VSAT

TSAT

Powerworld

UPLAN

Python

PSCAD

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.

JOB SUMMARY

Provides engineering analysis and technical support to ensure continuing reliable operations of the electric power grid in compliance with NERC Standards, ERCOT Protocols and Market Guides. Provides electrical engineering analysis and technical support for the planning and operation of the electric power system. Implements appropriate system modeling, develops tools and procedures to monitor and control the system, performs system studies, analyzes simulated or actual operating results, develops solutions to current or future system issues, and appropriately reports findings and recommendations.

JOB DUTIES

• Serves as the recognized technical expert for the department within and outside the organization
• Provides on-the-job training, mentoring or oversight of the work of other engineers/analysts as required
• Responds to executive and management inquiries and special reporting requests
• Collaborate with other ERCOT departments to select and implement system changes as needed
• Communicate results of analyses to appropriate stakeholders, including maintaining regular communication with the management team, providing relevant information to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements
• Examines, analyzes, and determines efficiency improvements for departmental and organizational processes and procedures
• Serves as the departmental representative on cross-functional teams, proactively providing technical, business, and policy guidance
• Serves as quality assurance and best practices resource within and outside of the department
• Builds strong professional relationships both internally and externally. Networks with key contacts within and outside the electric utility industry
• Leads the work of projects and audits as assigned by management
• May prepare reports and presentations to stakeholder bodies, the ERCOT Board of Directors and regulatory agencies, including preparing testimony

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

• Designs and performs steady-state and dynamic contingency analyses using power flow models (PSSE, VSAT, TSAT, or Powerworld) under the direction of a senior level engineer or management
• Designs and performs production cost modeling (UPLAN) studies to accomplish economic transmission planning under the direction of a senior level engineer or management
• Helps develop improvements to transmission planning and market forecasting processes
• Assists in providing input and analyses from the planning perspective on market/protocol design issues
• Assists in providing market simulation/forecasting and transmission planning analyses to support other activities
• Structures appropriate planning studies and sensitivity analyses to determine the need for improvements and evaluate proposed projects, including technical and financial analyses
• Participates in multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments, and perform studies
• Assists in developing tools, processes and procedures that enhance system reliability and departmental/organizational efficiencies
• Participates with other ERCOT departments to select and implement system changes as needed

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Engineer Lead: Minimum 8 years experience as a power system engineer within the electric utility industry
• Experience within the electric utility industry preferred (both levels)

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience performing large-scale dynamic stability analyses using power system simulation tools (PSSE, TSAT, Powerworld)
• Experience with EMT simulation tools (PSCAD), especially for large-scale system analysis
• Experience evaluating and updating power system dynamic models
• Experience programming and developing simulation automation tools (Python)
• Experience assessing and mitigating sub-synchronous resonance issues
• Experience assisting in the development of improvements to transmission planning processes and familiarity with NERC reliability standards

EDUCATION

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

CERTIFICATION

PE Professional Engineer (Preferred)

WORK LOCATION

This position is Hybrid. Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at least 2-3 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. 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.

SALARY

Expected Salary Range: $144,000 - $198,000

ABOUT ERCOT

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.

BENEFITS

• health insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• life insurance
• long-term disability insurance
• short-term disability insurance
• long-term care insurance
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Savings Plan
• 401(k) plans

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

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-on-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-on-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.