Transmission Planning Engineer

ThinkingAhead; Boerne (TX); Remote; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

401k match included

Job summary

ThinkingAhead is seeking a Transmission Planning Engineer to build out a standalone transmission planning capability in Texas. This remote, full-time role supports a growing practice with a strong distribution planning team nearby and opportunities to shape standards and templates.

You’ll run studies from day one, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to business development while working with clients and internal teams to deliver robust, compliant planning solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with power systems focus.
• 5+ years in transmission planning at utility, ISO/RTO, or consulting.
• Proficiency with power system analysis software (PSS/E/PowerWorld/PSLF).
• Knowledge of NERC planning standards and ERCOT processes.
• Strong writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform transmission planning studies including power flow, contingency, short circuit, voltage and stability analyses.
• Evaluate impacts of load growth, interconnection, and expansion; propose upgrade options with cost estimates.
• Prepare technical reports, client-ready presentations, and recommendations.
• Help establish study methodologies and best practices for the transmission practice.
• Mentor junior engineers and support business development through client discussions.

Skills

Power systems

PSS/E

PowerWorld

PSLF

NERC standards

Technical writing

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (power systems focus)

Tools

PSS/E

PowerWorld

PSLF

Job description

Transmission Planning Engineer (Texas, Remote)

Location: Remote, Texas residents only
Type: Full-time, direct hire
Department: System Planning

About the Role

We’re a power engineering consulting firm with an established planning group, currently weighted toward distribution. We’re building out our transmission planning capability and need a Transmission Planning Engineer to be its first dedicated hire.

You’ll be hands‑on from day one, running studies and delivering for clients. As the practice grows, you’ll also help shape how the team does transmission work: standards, templates, review processes, and the development of junior engineers. You’ll have a strong distribution planning team around you and the room to build something.

What You’ll Do

• Perform transmission planning studies, including power flow, contingency (N-1 and beyond), short circuit, and voltage and stability analysis
• Evaluate system impacts of load growth, generation interconnection, and system expansion
• Develop and compare transmission upgrade alternatives, including cost estimates and project justification
• Assess compliance with NERC reliability standards and applicable ERCOT planning criteria
• Prepare clear technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for clients
• Work with distribution planners to support coordinated, system-wide planning
• Establish study methodologies, models, and best practices for the transmission practice
• Mentor and train junior engineers by reviewing their work, teaching technical fundamentals, and helping them build independence as the team grows
• Support business development through proposal input and client technical discussions

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (power systems focus preferred)
• 5+ years of transmission planning experience at a utility, ISO/RTO, or consulting firm
• Hands‑on proficiency with power system analysis software such as PSS/E, PowerWorld, PSLF, or similar
• Working knowledge of NERC planning standards and Texas/ERCOT planning processes
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Must reside in Texas

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or a clear path to licensure
• Experience mentoring or leading junior engineers
• Experience with interconnection studies, including generation, large load, or storage
• Familiarity with transmission project development and cost estimation
• Python or other scripting experience for automating studies
• Consulting or client‑facing experience

Why This Role

• Be the founding transmission planner in a firm that’s investing in the practice
• Real ownership and influence over how the group grows
• Meaningful mentorship responsibility with a path toward technical leadership
• Remote flexibility within Texas
• 145-175k base + 200% 401k match up to 4.5% + Bonus

Compensation

$401,000 per year