Senior Reliability Engineer, Reliability Models & Studies

SERC Reliability Corporation; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO package

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with contributions up to 14%

Job summary

SERC Reliability Corporation seeks an experienced Senior Reliability Engineer in Charlotte, NC, to lead transmission assessments and improve reliability models. The candidate should hold at least a Bachelor's degree in engineering, have 10+ years in the electric utility field, and possess strong programming and communication skills. The role demands leadership in complex assessments and stakeholder engagement. Benefits include generous PTO, health insurance, and a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of experience in the electric utility industry.
• Preferred experience in operations, planning, and regulatory activities.
• Strong understanding of the Electric Reliability Organization framework.

Responsibilities

• Perform transmission assessment studies including steady state and stability.
• Lead regional transmission assessments and identify emerging reliability risks.
• Contribute technical input on NERC Reliability Standards.

Skills

Transmission assessment studies

Complex project management

Engineering analysis and programming

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Python

PSSE

TARA

SERVM

Job description

SERC OVERVIEW

SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC) is one of six Regional Entities in North America authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) through delegation agreements with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). SERC is responsible for promoting the reliability and security of the bulk power system across the southeastern and central United States.

SERC's footprint spans approximately 630,000 square miles and serves more than 97 million people, including all or portions of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

The electric grid is essential to public health, safety, and economic stability. SERC's mission is to reduce risks to the reliability and security of the bulk power system through effective and efficient oversight, analysis, and collaboration.

To support this mission, SERC maintains a multidisciplinary team of experts and works closely with industry stakeholders, neighboring Regional Entities, NERC, and federal partners. These partnerships enable informed, pragmatic, and impactful approaches to emerging and evolving reliability challenges.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Reliability Models & Studies team is part of SERC's Reliability Assessment, Performance Analysis, and Technical Services (RAPA) Department. The team leads the development of steady-state and dynamic models, evaluates transmission reliability and resource adequacy, identifies emerging risks, provides input to regional reliability assessments to support the resilience of the bulk power system, and leads technical committees.

The Senior Reliability Engineer is a senior-level technical and professional role responsible for advancing SERC's model development and reliability studies in support of the organization's mission to reduce risks to the bulk power system.

The engineer will exercise independent technical judgment, influence regional and ERO-wide initiatives, and represent SERC in engagements with stakeholders (NERC, neighboring Regional Entities, and regulatory partners). This role will also serve as a subject matter expert for state outreach and stakeholder engagements, contribute to training and technical communications, and support the continuous improvement of SERC's assessment processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform transmission assessment studies, including steady state, stability, and short circuit.
• Lead and contribute to regional transmission and resource adequacy assessments, including interpretation of steady-state, stability, short-circuit, deterministic, and probabilistic studies.
• Exercise professional judgment to identify, assess, and communicate emerging reliability risks and trends affecting the SERC footprint.
• Provide technical leadership and facilitation for SERC technical committees and working groups, supporting consensus-driven, risk-informed outcomes.
• Represent SERC's regional perspectives in ERO initiatives, working groups, and task forces, influencing policy, methodology, and technical direction.
• Drive continuous improvement of SERC's data quality, data validation, modeling, study, and assessment processes, applying project management and process improvement principles.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with NERC and neighboring Regional Entities to enhance coordination, alignment, and consistency.
• Lead technical discussions with stakeholders and regulatory partners on transmission and resource planning topics to support issue resolution and shared understanding.
• Support SERC's enterprise reliability risk management efforts by integrating assessment results into risk identification, analysis, and communication.
• Contribute to technical publications, reports, and stakeholder communications that support transparency and situational awareness.
• Support and deliver stakeholder outreach and training on planning, assessment, and operational topics.
• Provide technical input on NERC Reliability Standards development activities and FERC rulemakings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related industry experience is required; a master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the electric utility industry or an equivalent field. Can be considered for non-senior engineer if senior qualifications are not met.
• Preferred experience in operations, planning, and/or regulatory activities, particularly with exposure to NERC and FERC.
• Working knowledge of protection and control systems is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives; program or project management experience preferred.
• Advanced programming skills and experience in engineering analysis are preferred, including the ability to develop Python scripts to enhance analytical processes.
• Extensive experience in the electric utility industry, with demonstrated expertise in transmission planning, resource planning, and power system modeling.
• Strong understanding of the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) framework, roles, and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with industry stakeholders and regulatory partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience engaging in senior leadership and technical audiences through meetings, presentations, and formal reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; experience with industry tools such as PSSE, TARA, SERVM, or similar platforms preferred.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries while exercising independent technical judgment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Demonstrated strengths in research, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment.

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

• 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