Systems Operations Engineer

Leidos LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks a Systems Operations Engineer to ensure real time reliability of the Bulk Electric System from our Phoenix site. You will perform operating studies, validate SOL/IROL, and interface with the Energy Control Center to maintain compliant system performance.

You will maintain EMS and support CAISO/WECC coordination, provide guidance during normal and emergency conditions, and mentor junior engineers while delivering mitigation plans for RTCA issues.

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, 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.

Responsibilities

• Perform next day and short-term operational studies: power flow, contingency analysis, and RTCA.
• Conduct pre/post operating assessments to evaluate performance and risks.
• Ensure compliance with NERC standards, focusing on SOL and IROL determinations.
• Support and maintain EMS including State Estimator and contingency analysis.
• Develop real-time operational solutions to mitigate RTCA violations.
• Provide guidance to Energy Control Center operators during normal and emergency conditions.
• Coordinate outages with CAISO and WECC to avoid SOL/IROL violations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain reliability.
• Mentor junior engineers in EMS applications and RTCA processes.

Skills

Power system analysis

Real-time operations

NERC standards knowledge

EMS and State Estimator

Outage coordination

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer license preferred

Tools

PSS/E

PSLF

TARA

PowerWorld

APA / Aspen Oneliner

Job 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

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

About Leidos

At Leidos, we pride ourselves on being a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Our Power Delivery Services Team is the go-to for utilities and mobile operators who need reliable power and telecommunication expertise. We've worked with over 50 investor-owned utilities, over 160 municipals/cooperatives, and we're continuing to expand our reach. Plus, we've got an amazing group of industry-leading construction partners who help us deliver meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader has been confirmed time and time again. Engineering News-Record (ENR) has ranked Leidos among the Top 10 T&D Firms and Top 10 Power Firms. PowerDelivery PDSPLANNING If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026.

Original Posting

March 13, 2026. 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.

Pay Range

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.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.