Senior Reliability Engineer, RAPA & TS

SERC Reliability Corporation; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SERC Reliability Corporation in Charlotte, NC, is seeking a Senior Reliability Engineer to lead cross‑functional reliability assessments and studies within the Reliability Assessment, Performance Analysis (RAPA) and Technical Services teams. The role focuses on transmission planning, resource adequacy, and modeling to improve grid reliability.

The candidate will coordinate with NERC and regional partners, supervise projects, mentor staff, and communicate findings to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering; Master's/PhD preferred in Power Systems.
• 10+ years of electric utility industry experience in transmission planning and policy (or base-level if senior not met).
• Experience with transmission planning studies and resource adequacy probabilistic studies.

Responsibilities

• Perform transmission adequacy studies including steady state, stability, and short circuit.
• Conduct resource adequacy studies using deterministic and probabilistic methods.
• Lead stakeholder committees and develop value-based reliability solutions.
• Represent SERC on NERC initiatives, working groups, and task forces.
• Lead data quality, modeling, and study process improvements through project management.
• Develop collaboration with NERC and neighboring REs for coordination.
• Lead discussions with stakeholders to communicate SERC's position on transmission and resource planning.
• Provide input to reliability risk management and identify trends.
• Share knowledge across projects and publish newsletter articles.
• Train stakeholders in planning and operation processes.

Skills

Leadership

Transmission planning

Electric utility knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree or PhD in Power systems

Tools

PSSE

TARA

SERVM

Job description

SERC OVERVIEW:

The electric grid is vital to our everyday lives. It is fundamental for the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, and provides the platform for our economy and our societal and technological advances. SERC's mission is to reduce risks to the reliability and security of the electric grid (also known as the bulk power system), not only for today but also for the future.

To achieve this mission, we maintain a diverse team of experts across numerous disciplines in order to address the complex, evolving, and dynamic challenges facing the grid. Our team also partners with the best and brightest individuals from both the power industry and the federal government to understand and address the challenges facing the grid. These key partnerships make our work more informed, pragmatic, responsive, and impactful.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Reliability Engineer of Reliability Assessment, Performance Analysis (RAPA), and Technical Services coordinate projects and initiatives that cross multiple program areas within RAPA (Performance Analysis (PA), Reliability Assessments (RA), Modeling & Studies data validation, joint analysis efforts, etc.). This position will also support transmission and resource adequacy studies, and conduct reliability assessments working collaboratively with SERC stakeholders. Key skills will include leadership, transmission planning experience, and advanced electric utility industry knowledge.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Experience performing transmission adequacy studies including steady state, stability, and short circuit.
• Experience performing resource adequacy studies using deterministic and probabilistic methods.
• Provide facilitation and direction to SERC stakeholder technical committees and working group leadership and develop value-based solutions to address reliability risk.
• Represent SERC region perspectives on Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) initiatives, working groups, and task forces.
• Lead efforts to apply project management techniques and controls to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of SERC's data quality, modeling, and study and assessment processes and procedures.
• Develop collaborative relationships with NERC and neighboring Regional Entities (RE) to strengthen coordination efforts and improve existing processes and procedures.
• Lead discussions with stakeholders, NERC, and the Regions to communicate SERC's position on diverse topics concerning transmission and resource planning to find resolution where necessary.
• Provide input to the SERC's reliability risk management program to represent the risks identified for modeling/studies and reliability assessment. Assist in identifying, analyzing, and communicating trends for awareness.
• Ability to provide guidance and share knowledge on multiple projects at the same time.
• Share knowledge and publish newsletter articles as required.
• Ability to train stakeholders in planning and operation process for SERC.
• Use industry knowledge to provide comments to NERC reliability standards development and Rulemaking by FERC.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is required. Master's degree or PhD in Power systems is preferred.
• Minimum ten (10) years of electric utility industry experience in transmission planning and policy is required.
  • Can be considered for base-level engineer if senior qualifications are not met.
• Extensive knowledge of electric utility and experience in transmission and resource planning, power system modeling, steady state, dynamic, and short circuit studies is required.
• Experience with computer programs (PSSE, TARA, SERVM) used in transmission planning studies, and resource adequacy probabilistic studies is required.
• Excellent written and oral communication with the ability to make concise summaries of issues and discussions to support reliability studies and assessments.
• Working knowledge of protection and control systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people to manage stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management, cross-functional teams, and external stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of the NERC Reliability Standards.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize work assignments in the best interest of the company.
• Demonstrated abilities regarding research, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Some overnight travel is required.
• Experience with program management preferred.

COMMITMENT TO CULTURE:

SERC is dedicated to being a highly desirable place to work through culture and purpose. We place a strategic focus on critical elements such as Innovation & Collaboration, Organizational Development & Talent Management. Through this strategic focus, SERC has identified its four values we believe keep us on the path of the relentless pursuit of better.

COMPANY VALUES:

• Leader - Is trustworthy, principled, and respectful and strive to create value that reduces risk. Has a positive vision and is actively building support to execute it. A leader takes personal accountability for the outcomes of their choices and actions, acts with professionalism and adapts to change in a calm and positive manner. A leader will, when appropriate, ask questions and recommend alternative solutions to new processes or procedures.
• Collaborative - Partner and engage, both internally and externally, to drive meaningful action by leveraging skills, knowledge and tools. This would include effective written and verbal communication to ensure ideas and messages are clearly and concisely conveyed, being responsive to all stakeholders, understanding goals and objectives while exceeding key metrics and targets. Encourages dialog and candor while making it safe for others to voice their opinion to ensure all alternative viewpoints are heard, they are an active listener.
• Expert - Being credible, objective, disciplined, and sought after to help with continuous learning, improvements, and innovations. Exhibit knowledge of and ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulations. Take initiative to set priorities and convey important information in a timely and efficient manner. Employ good judgment when evaluating a problem by analyzing risk and identifying consequences while demonstrating a sense of organizational stewardship.
• Purposeful - Proactively demonstrate initiative, intentionality and resourcefulness to help anticipate and navigate current and future challenges. Committed to the quality of work and ensures work is delivered at appropriate deadlines while seeking operational efficiencies. Initiate appropriate follow-up while leveraging industry knowledge and business acumen to make appropriate decisions. Treat others with compassion and empathy and embrace the organization's mission and vision while providing meaningful contributions to organizational endeavors.

If the traits and characteristics listed in our values resonate with you, we encourage you to apply!

SALARY/BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is DOE. We offer a generous PTO package; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan with an organization contribution of up to 14%.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Hybrid work environment
  • Option 1: Dedicated office; Report to office 3-days per week
  • Option 2: Non-Dedicated Office (Hoteling); Report to office 2-days per week
• ability to travel as needed.

SERC is an Equal Opportunity Employer