Power Systems Research Engineer

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Idaho Falls (ID)

On-site

USD 95,256 - 234,336

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer contribution

Paid time off

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Power Systems Research Engineer to lead advanced studies in electrical power systems at the Energy Systems Laboratory in Idaho Falls. This senior/staff role emphasizes modeling, testing, and leadership across a range of power engineering activities.

The position requires experience with dynamic and transient modeling, ML applications in power, and HIL testing. The role supports proposal work, collaboration with utilities, and mentoring of junior staff

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution with 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree/PhD with 2 years of relevant experience.
Level 4 requires Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of experience; or Master’s with 6 years; or PhD with 4 years of experience.

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

Transient analysis

Power system ML

Protection & stability

HIL testing

Real-time simulation

Grid operations

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

ABET-accredited Master's in Engineering

PhD in Engineering

Tools

Digital real-time simulation

Power hardware-in-the-loop

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.
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.

About Us

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)
Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission

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INL Vision

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

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.

Other Information

Applicants who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

Job Info