Systems Operations Engineer

Leidos; Bethesda, Phoenix (MD, AZ); On-site; USD 87,100 - 157,450; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Systems Operations Engineer to ensure the reliability of the Bulk Electric System. The ideal candidate will manage operational studies, ensure compliance with NERC standards, and provide engineering support to the Energy Control Center. Candidates should have a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, six years of experience in power system operations, and proficiency in analysis tools like PSS E and PowerWorld. Competitive compensation ranges from $87,100 to $157,450.

Qualifications

• Minimum six years of experience in power system operations engineering.
• Experience supporting real time operations within an Energy Control Center.
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards and WECC regional criteria.

Responsibilities

• Perform operational studies and reliability assessments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable NERC Reliability Standards.
• Provide engineering support for CAISO market interface.

Skills

Power system analysis

Proficiency with NERC Reliability Standards

Effective communication

Technical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSS E

PowerWorld

APA

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Systems Operations Engineer supports real time and near real time reliability of the Bulk Electric System. This position performs daily, weekly, and seasonal operating studies and reliability assessments to ensure secure system operations and compliance with applicable NERC Reliability Standards and Operating and Interconnection Agreements. This role provides operational engineering support to the Energy Control Center and interfaces regularly with both internal and external engineering and reliability stakeholders to maintain reliable and compliant system performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform next day and short-term operational studies, including power flow, contingency analysis, voltage and transient stability, transfer capability assessments, and Real Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA), to ensure the system operates within established System Operating Limits (SOL) and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL).
• Conduct pre and post operating assessments to evaluate system performance, validate contingency results, and identify emerging reliability risks that could impact SOL or IROL compliance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable NERC Reliability Standards, including TOP, IRO, FAC, TPL, PRC, and MOD, with particular focus on maintaining and documenting methodologies supporting SOL and IROL determinations.
• Support and maintain the Energy Management System (EMS), including State Estimator and contingency analysis applications, by ensuring accurate transmission network modeling, system topology, telemetry validation, and equipment ratings.
• Develop real time operational solutions to mitigate RTCA identified violations, including transmission reconfiguration, generation redispatch, and implementation of operating procedures to address thermal, voltage, or stability constraints.
• Provide technical guidance to Energy Control Center operators during normal and emergency conditions, including support for IROL exceedances, emergency mitigation plans, and system restoration activities.
• Provide engineering support for CAISO market interface and outage coordination processes, ensuring proposed outages and dispatch conditions do not result in SOL or IROL violations.
• Coordinate model development, validation, and data exchange with CAISO and WECC, maintaining accurate power flow and dynamic models that support EMS, State Estimator, and RTCA applications.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders, including generation owners, neighboring balancing authorities, and load serving entities, to resolve operating issues and maintain reliable and secure system operations.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote technical development in EMS applications, RTCA processes, and SOL and IROL methodologies.

Work Location

Work Location: Onsite in Phoenix, AZ.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum six years of experience in power system operations engineering, transmission planning, or reliability coordination within the Western Interconnection
• Proficiency with power system analysis tools such as PSS E, PSLF, TARA, PowerWorld, or equivalent
• Proficiency with short circuit analysis tools such as APA or Aspen Oneliner
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards and WECC regional criteria
• Experience supporting real time operations within an Energy Control Center environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of power system engineering principles and their application in system analysis and operations
• Demonstrated ability to analyze technical issues, evaluate alternatives, and develop well supported engineering recommendations
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present technical findings to diverse stakeholders
• Professional Engineer license preferred
• In depth knowledge of WECC Bulk Electric System characteristics and CAISO operating procedures, including direct experience supporting outage coordination and market interface processes
• Experience with Energy Management System applications, including State Estimator and network modeling tools

Pay Range

$87,100.00 - $157,450.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.