Senior Principal Engineer

eei; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance and dental

Vision insurance

401k

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Wellness incentives

Transportation subsidy

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in Washington, DC invites a Senior Principal Engineer to serve as a technical authority at the intersection of engineering, policy, and industry leadership. You will guide grid reliability initiatives and represent EEI in engagements with NERC, FERC, and the DOE.

You will lead EEI’s Reliability Committee discussions, draft formal comments on standards, and help shape EEI's technical positions for rulemakings, while mentoring staff and building consensus among

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in the electric power industry with a focus on grid planning, operations, or reliability.
• Deep understanding of transmission and/or distribution system operations, engineering, or planning of the bulk-power system.
• Working knowledge of the NERC standards development process.
• Exceptional communicator—written and verbal—with the ability to translate complex technical topics for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and deliver on time.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Serve as EEI’s subject matter expert on transmission and distribution questions, providing authoritative technical guidance to member companies.
• Plan, organize, and lead technical discussions with EEI’s Reliability Technical Committee—setting agendas, coordinating subject-matter experts, and facilitating substantive discussions on NERC and industry reliability and resilience issues.
• Draft and deliver analytical evaluations and formal comments on NERC Reliability Standards, reliability guidelines, and technical documents; build member consensus and ensure timely, high-quality submissions.
• Inform the development of EEI’s technical positions for FERC and DOE rulemakings and proceedings, collaborating closely with policy and legal colleagues.
• Proactively engage with NERC, FERC, and peer organizations to identify emerging risks to the grid—and champion solutions—before they become crises.

Skills

Grid reliability

Technical leadership

Stakeholder consensus

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Job description

WHO WE ARE

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the nation’s leading association for U.S. investor-owned electric companies—the organizations powering American homes, businesses, and communities. Our members deliver electricity to more than 250 million Americans across all 50 states and Washington, DC, and together the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs nationwide.

With over 50 International Members and hundreds of Associate Members, EEI sits at the center of global conversations about energy’s future. Joining EEI means joining a team that shapes policy, drives technical standards, and helps chart the course for a cleaner, more resilient grid.

EEI employees are required to work in office Monday-Thursday and have the option to work remotely on Fridays.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a rare chance to serve as a top-level technical authority at the intersection of engineering, policy, and industry leadership. As Senior Principal Engineer in EEI’s Reliability department, you will be a go-to expert for member companies and a recognized voice in national conversations about grid reliability and resilience—working directly with NERC, FERC, and the DOE.

You won’t just advise from the sidelines. You will lead technical committees, drive industry consensus, and ensure that EEI’s positions are heard—and acted upon—at the highest levels of the regulatory process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as EEI’s subject matter expert on transmission and distribution questions, providing authoritative technical guidance to member companies.
• Plan, organize, and lead technical discussions with EEI’s Reliability Technical Committee—setting agendas, coordinating subject-matter experts, and facilitating substantive discussions on NERC and industry reliability and resilience issues.
• Draft and deliver analytical evaluations and formal comments on NERC Reliability Standards, reliability guidelines, and technical documents; build member consensus and ensure timely, high-quality submissions.
• Inform the development of EEI’s technical positions for FERC and DOE rulemakings and proceedings, collaborating closely with policy and legal colleagues.
• Proactively engage with NERC, FERC, and peer organizations to identify emerging risks to the grid—and champion solutions—before they become crises.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in the electric power industry with a focus on grid planning, operations, or reliability.
• Deep understanding of transmission and/or distribution system operations, engineering, or planning of the bulk-power system.
• Working knowledge of the NERC standards development process.
• Exceptional communicator—written and verbal—with the ability to translate complex technical topics for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and deliver on time.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Direct experience engaging with NERC, FERC, or regional transmission organizations.

Compensation

The salary range for role is $158,843 – $190,629. Starting annual salary will be determined on individual qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401k, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness incentives and programs, transportation subsidy, and professional development opportunities. The role is eligible for a performance based bonus.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EEI is committed to providing a productive and safe environment. To achieve that goal, we conduct background and reference check investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Equal Opportunity Employment M/D/F/V.