Senior Principal Engineer - ERCOT Interconnection and Planning

EPE Consulting, Ltd.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous PTO and paid holidays

Employee Ownership Program

401K with up to 4% match

Job summary

EPE Consulting, Ltd. is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer in Austin, Texas, to lead technical teams specializing in Generation, Load Interconnection, and Transmission Planning in the ERCOT region. This role requires a minimum of 6 years of experience in the electric energy industry and a deep understanding of ERCOT standards.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong mentoring skills, communication proficiency, and be able to influence decision-making amidst uncertainty. The position allows for flexible work and offers comprehensive health benefits, generous PTO, and an Employee Ownership Program.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in the electric energy industry.
• Strong understanding of ERCOT and TSP interconnection requirements.
• Proven ability to connect technical depth with commercial strategy.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex load and generation interconnection studies.
• Mentor a small team of engineers fostering a culture of excellence.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to generation and large load developers.

Skills

Interconnection studies

Transmission Planning

Client communication

Mentoring

Problem-solving

Tools

IBR modelling

EMT studies

PSCAD

Job description

Overview

We are designing the grid of the future!

EPE is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer with a background in Generation, Load Interconnection, or Transmission Planning studies in the ERCOT region. This role is ideal for a technical expert who thrives on solving hard problems, building trusted relationships and enjoys mentoring others.

Responsibilities

How you can make an impact:

Technical Leadership & Team Development

• Perform complex load and generation interconnection studies in line with TSP and ERCOT’s methodology.
• Perform model benchmarking for both generation and load projects in accordance with existing or emerging requirements to assist clients in demonstrating compliance.
• When required, step in to support more junior staff members leveraging your technical skills to assist them in troubleshooting complex issues.
• Mentor and empower a small team of engineers fostering a culture of excellence, accountability and innovation.
• Demonstrate extreme ownership by taking responsibility for outcomes, decisions, and overall project success.
• Enhance internal capability by coaching staff on both technical and client-facing skills.
• Enhance delivery frameworks, QA/QC processes to ensure projects are delivered effectively to the highest quality standards.

Client & Market Impact

• Serve as a trusted advisor to generation and large load developers helping them navigate ERCOT’s evolving interconnection landscape.
• Translate complex technical issues into clear and actionable insights that accelerate client decision-making and support project success.
• Leverage strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills to gather necessary input and make informed recommendations even in situations where there is inherent ambiguity.
• Lead reviews of interconnection studies and identify creative pathways to remove roadblocks and expedite projects.

Qualifications

Bring your passion, here's what’s needed:

• 6+ years of experience in the electric energy industry supporting Generation, Load Interconnection, or Transmission Planning studies
• Strong understanding of ERCOT and TSP interconnection requirements and standards.
• Direct experience working at ERCOT, a Utility in its footprint, or as a consultant on behalf of these entities.
• Experience in IBR modelling and/or load modelling.
• Proven ability to connect the dots between technical depth and commercial strategy.
• Exceptional communicator who can influence and make decisions confidently under uncertainty.
• Strong written and verbal communication and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Beneficial Experience

• Experience performing interconnection or transmission planning studies outside of ERCOT.
• Experience with EMT (ideally PSCAD) studies.

Lead the change!

Be a part of an innovative team shaping the grid of the future through advanced energy intelligence. For more than half a century, Electric Power Engineers (EPE) has partnered with power and energy clients across the globe, providing consulting expertise and energy intelligence software solutions for complex engineering and grid modeling challenges. As leaders in the renewables space, we are focused on building a modern, secure, and resilient grid. Join us in making an impact on the communities we serve and the environment in which we live. Together we can transform the future of energy.

How we support you:

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits including medical, dental, and vision with 100% premium coverage options
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• MyShare Employee Ownership Program
• Work with industry leaders
• 401K, up to a 4% match (100% vested from day 1)
• Flexible Work including hybrid and remote possibilities base on position.

Location: This position is open to remote US/Canada

Travel: Occasional travel may be needed (10% or less)

EPE is an equal opportunity/AA/Disability/Veteran employer. The EEO is the Law poster, and its supplement are available using the following links:EEOC is the Law Poster

Third-Party Recruiting Notification

EPE does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited third-party resumes forwarded by recruiters to EPE via our career page or to any of our managers or employees will be considered public information, may be treated as a direct application from the person identified in the resume, and will not be eligible for placement fee payment to the agency. EPE will not pay a fee to a third-party recruiter or agency without a previously signed third-party agreement and has not coordinated their recruiting activity with the appropriate member of the Talent Acquisition team.

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