Sr Advisor – Transmission Assets Engineer

Switchgear Magazine; California (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Switchgear Magazine is seeking a Sr Advisor – Transmission Assets Engineer to provide expert support and leadership in compliance with the Transmission Control Agreement and the enforcement of maintenance standards. The role involves significant collaboration, technical problem-solving, and mentorship of team members. Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in engineering, at least 10 years of relevant experience, and preferred expertise in high voltage equipment and California's transmission grid regulations. The position emphasizes reliability and compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of related experience, including five years at lead level.
• California Professional Engineering license preferred.
• Experience in high voltage Transmission Facility Equipment required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement ISO reliability standards.
• Provide technical expertise for compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Lead mitigation and enforcement of operating requirements.
• Train and mentor team members.

Skills

Expert technical leadership

Protective relaying expertise

Collaboration

Technical issue resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

GIS mapping software

Job description

Sr Advisor – Transmission Assets Engineer

Job Description Under the general direction of the Manager, works on complex assignments and acts as technical expert to department staff, and provides expertise in support of Transmission Asset activities. Ensures the ISO is in compliance with the Transmission Control Agreement (TCA) and is responsible for implementation and enforcement of the ISO Transmission Maintenance Standards with respect to transmission facility (substation, protection, transmission lines and associated equipment) maintenance. Investigates transmission system events and supports management of system operation Inverter Based Resource (IBR) operational issues. Supports the ISO planning process phase three competitive solicitation process. Fosters a collaborative team environment. Trains, mentors and supports team members to build institutional knowledge and bench strength in transmission planning, function, and maintenance.

What You Will Be Doing

• Develops, implements, and modifies, through appropriate stakeholder processes, ISO reliability standards, generator interconnection contract requirements, and various procedures, guidelines and policies related to transmission that may have significant economic impact to the marketplace. Provides expert technical leadership for the implementation and enforcement of the ISO Transmission Maintenance Standards. Plans maintenance reviews of each PTO’s transmission line maintenance records and facilities. Analyzes results from the annual maintenance reviews, standard maintenance reporting system, and availability measures to identify any positive or negative trending, and makes appropriate recommendations to the ISO and PTOs that will result in overall improvements to grid reliability.
• Serves as a senior staff expert for the organization on protective relaying and IBR related issues. Provides transmission line and/or protective relaying expertise and joint oversight in implementing the CAISO Transmission Planning Process Phase III competitive solicitation process. Provides protection engineering consulting to internal work groups and external entities as assigned, including mentoring.
• Responsible for insuring the long-term reliability and cost effectiveness of the ISO Grid through the investigation and mitigation of operational concerns and enforcement of Inverter Based Resource requirements. Leads mitigation and enforcement of operating and contractual requirements related to transmission. Investigates system events and works with internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues. Resolves transmission facility maintenance related stakeholder issues. Partners with and supports the Regional Transmission Engineering, Grid Operations, and others within the ISO to understand and resolve identified transmission facility related issues.
• Ensures that Transmission Assets remains in compliance with FERC, NERC and other regulatory requirements relating to transmission maintenance. Responsible for Transmission Assets transmission facility compliance reporting requirements.
• Fosters reliability of the ISO Grid and the image of the ISO by effectively representing the corporation at various industry forums including NERC, WECC, RTGs, and stakeholder groups.
• Fosters a collaborative team environment. Trains, mentors and supports team members to build institutional knowledge and bench strength in transmission planning, function and maintenance. Actively participates in staff meetings, and identifies improvements to department practices, policies and processes. May perform lead responsibilities as assigned. Leads the Transmission Maintenance Coordination Committee (TMCC) in the absence of the Manager.
• The position requires travel within the ISO’s footprint five to seven times a year to inspect substation and high voltage equipment.

Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline: A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Engineering with emphasis in power systems. Advanced degree preferred.

Amount Of Experience: Ten (10 or more years related experience, including five (5) years at lead level or equivalent.

Certifications: California Professional Engineering license preferred.

Type Of Experience: Experience in high voltage Transmission Facility Equipment and Transmission Facility Maintenance or directly related experience. Experience with California or other WECC transmission grid highly desired. Experience or ability to learn and use other software applications including GIS mapping software applications desired.