Sr. Engineer - Balancing Authority

Southwest Power Pool, Inc.; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Hybrid work model

Health insurance (3 plans)

Pension and 401(k) with employer-match

Job summary

Southwest Power Pool, Inc. is seeking a Senior Engineer, Balancing Authority, to ensure reliable, accurate, and efficient performance across the East and West Balancing Authority Areas.

You will oversee interchange processes, contingency reserve deployments, and critical system performance metrics. This role requires strong engineering judgment and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, model and analyze system behaviors, and drive improvements to operational policies and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• 5 years of relevant engineering experience; PE license may satisfy one year.

Responsibilities

• Oversee interchange scheduling processes to ensure accurate Balancing Authority operations.
• Improve system modeling accuracy and real-time situational awareness.
• Develop and maintain performance metrics across East and West Balancing Authority areas.
• Enhance operator reliability by coordinating enhancements with technical teams.
• Support regulatory compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Engineering experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Job description

SPP is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: This position may not be performed remotely from California or New York City, NY, nor can SPP sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Senior Engineer, Balancing Authority Salary range: $97,580 – $126,795

Overview

The Senior Engineer, Balancing Authority, is responsible for ensuring reliable, accurate, and efficient performance across the East and West Balancing Authority Areas. This role strengthens operational reliability by overseeing interchange processes, contingency reserve deployments, and critical system performance metrics. It enhances grid stability by resolving complex operational issues, analyzing system behaviors, and driving improvements to operational policies and procedures. The position partners closely with cross-functional teams and emerging engineers to advance technical capability and operational excellence across the Balancing Authority.

Core Responsibilities

• Ensures accurate interchange performance by providing engineering oversight of scheduling processes and resolving issues to support reliable Balancing Authority operations across the East and West.
• Improves system modeling accuracy by identifying tieline modeling discrepancies and collaborating with modeling teams to correct issues that affect real-time situational awareness and operational reliability.
• Strengthens operational visibility and decision making by developing, maintaining, and evolving performance metrics that monitor and evaluate Balancing Authority effectiveness across both regions.
• Enhances operator situational awareness by identifying opportunities to improve display functionality and coordinating enhancements with technical teams to support real-time reliability management.
• Supports regulatory compliance and industry alignment by monitoring evolving standards, analyzing their operational impact, and driving continuous improvement recommendations.
• Improves system reliability by conducting detailed post-event analysis, identifying root causes of operational inefficiencies, and leading knowledge-sharing efforts to inform corrective actions and strengthen operator capabilities.
• Resolves metering and checkout discrepancies by providing technical expertise during dispute investigations to ensure accurate settlement and data integrity across Balancing Authority processes.
• Constructively engage SPP RTO staff in development of reports and procedures to identify and prevent problems and concerns while maintaining independence
• Provide technical support in the constructive engagement with SPP committees and working groups while maintaining independence
• Participate in and manage special projects as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Engineering, this degree should: Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation). Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
• 5 years of relevant Engineering experience, Professional Engineer License may satisfy one year of experience requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting operations in an RTO/ISO or Balancing Authority environment.
• Familiarity with NERC standards applicable to Balancing Authority operations (e.g., BAL, INT, TOP).
• Experience developing or maintaining operational metrics or dashboards related to reliability performance.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis or post-event evaluations in a system operations or reliability context.
• Experience supporting modeling, metering, or checkout processes in a utility or RTO environment.
• Advanced analytical ability using engineering or data analysis tools (e.g., simulation tools, data visualization platforms)
• Experience in reliability operations, data analysis, power flow analysis, ad hoc reporting

Other Requirements:

• Knowledge of power system fundamentals, interchange processes, contingency reserve concepts, and Balancing Authority operational practices
• Ability to analyze complex operational events, interpret system data, and identify root causes that impact reliability.
• Proficient problem-solving and critical-thinking skills with the ability to make sound technical judgments under time-sensitive conditions
• Effective communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to operators, engineers, and leadership.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional technical teams to resolve system issues and implement improvements.
• Proficient at organizing and conducting technical and analytical studies
• Knowledge of electric market concepts and ability to apply understanding in unique analysis
• Strong interpersonal, team-building, and organizational skills
• Flexibility and aptitude to function with constantly changing conditions and priorities
• programming in any comparable data-oriented environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced knowledge of the calculation principles, functionality
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

SPP is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, SPP makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - SPP

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.