Power Systems Research Engineer – Grid Dynamics & Testing

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 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.