Power Systems Research Engineer

Battelle Energy Alliance; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 95,256 - 234,336; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer contribution

Relocation package

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Power Systems Research Engineer to drive advanced power systems projects in the Power and Energy Systems Department at INL in Idaho Falls. The role emphasizes dynamic modeling, real-time simulation, and HIL testing with opportunities to collaborate with utilities and industry partners.

The position supports senior-to-staff levels, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to standards and technical reports.

Qualifications

• Level 3 requires Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution and 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s/PhD with corresponding experience.
• Level 4 requires Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of relevant experience; or Master’s with 6 years; or PhD with 4 years.
• Preferred experience in electric power systems engineering across transmission, distribution, protection, controls, planning, operations, stability, or grid modernization.
• Experience testing or validating power system hardware, software, controls, models, algorithms, or analytical tools.
• Experience applying IEEE, CIGRE, NERC, IEC, ANSI, NEMA, or other utility standards and guidance.
• Experience with digital real-time simulation, controller hardware-in-the-loop, or power hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience with utility operations, protection coordination, interconnection, distributed energy resources, inverter-based resources, power quality, resilience, or advanced grid technologies.
• Participation in standards committees, technical working groups, or industry forums.
• Ability to translate research concepts into practical, validated, utility-relevant engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support power systems research projects involving emerging hardware, software, controls, models, and analytical tools.
• Develop and execute test plans, validation methods, performance metrics, and technical approaches for pre-commercial power system technologies.
• Apply IEEE and CIGRE guidance to project planning, testing, validation, and reporting.
• Perform power system modeling and simulation, including dynamic, transient, protection, control, and stability studies.
• Use lab, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop environments to evaluate advanced power system technologies.
• Collaborate with utilities, vendors, government agencies, universities, standards organizations, and industry partners.
• Prepare technical reports, validation reports, publications, proposals, presentations, and sponsor deliverables.
• Support proposal development and business development for new research opportunities.
• Contribute to standards, working groups, technical committees, and industry forums as appropriate.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical direction to project teams.

Skills

Power systems modeling

Dynamic analysis

Protection and stability

Digital real-time testing

HIL testing

Electric grid operations

Mentorship

Project leadership

Education

ABET-accredited electrical engineering degree

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

Power hardware-in-the-loop

Controller hardware-in-the-loop

IEEE/CIGRE standards guidance

Job description

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Power Systems Research Engineer to work in our Power and Energy Systems Department within the Energy and Environment Science & Technology (EES&T) Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory. This will be a senior or staff level position based on experience. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Energy Systems Laboratory in Idaho Falls with every other Friday off.

In this role you will participate in ideation, planning, coordination, and implementation of power systems projects. Experience in power systems dynamic and transient modeling and simulation, power systems machine learning applications, protection, and stability analysis is required. Experience with power system testing using digital real-time simulation environments and using power and/or controller hardware-in-the-loop is a plus. Electric grid operations experience, human factors for control rooms and/or high-, medium- and low-voltage direct current experience are also pluses.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and support power systems research projects involving emerging hardware, software, controls, models, and analytical tools.
• Develop and execute test plans, validation methods, performance metrics, and technical approaches for pre-commercial power system technologies.
• Apply electric utility standards, guides, and recommended practices, including IEEE and CIGRE guidance, to project planning, testing, validation, and reporting.
• Perform power system modeling and simulation, including dynamic, transient, protection, control, and stability studies.
• Use laboratory, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop environments to evaluate advanced power system technologies.
• Collaborate with utilities, vendors, government agencies, universities, standards organizations, and industry partners.
• Prepare technical reports, validation reports, publications, proposals, presentations, and sponsor deliverables.
• Support proposal development and business development for new research opportunities.
• Contribute to standards, working groups, technical committees, and industry forums as appropriate.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical direction to project teams.

Minimum Requirements:

• Level 3: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution and 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree/PhD in engineering or directly related field and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level 4: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree in engineering or directly related field and 6 years of relevant experience; or PhD in engineering or directly related field and 4 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Experience:

• Electric power systems engineering experience in transmission, distribution, protection, controls, planning, operations, stability, or grid modernization.
• Experience testing or validating power system hardware, software, controls, models, algorithms, or analytical tools.
• Experience applying IEEE, CIGRE, NERC, IEC, ANSI, NEMA, or other utility standards and technical guidance.
• Experience with digital real-time simulation, controller hardware-in-the-loop, or power hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience with utility operations, protection coordination, interconnection, distributed energy resources, inverter-based resources, power quality, resilience, or advanced grid technologies.
• Experience participating in standards committees, technical working groups, or industry forums.
• Ability to translate research concepts into practical, validated, utility-relevant engineering solutions

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.