Transmission Planning Engineer

ICF International; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible workplace arrangements

Tuition reimbursement

401k matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

ICF International is seeking a senior transmission planning engineer to own complex engagements, lead a team, and shape the direction of our practice. You will guide steady-state, transient, and interconnection studies across regional ISOs/RTOs, developing long-range expansion plans and contributing to business development.

The ideal candidate will have experience leading multi-discipline studies, strong report writing skills, and a focus on client relationships in a dynamic grid environment.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.
• 2+ years of experience in transmission planning, power system studies, or related electrical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead or study manager on transmission planning engagements, owning scope, schedule, quality, and client relationship.
• Perform steady-state load flow and contingency analysis for utility transmission planning and interconnection studies.
• Conduct transient stability and dynamic simulation studies, including modeling of conventional generation and inverter-based resources.
• Lead large load interconnection studies covering data center, hyperscaler, industrial, or high-demand customers.
• Develop and assess long-range transmission expansion plans considering load growth and generation retirements.
• Develop Python-based automation to improve study execution and model management.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through technical review and collaboration.
• Participate in business development through proposals, scoping, and client presentations.

Skills

PSS/E

PSLF

Python

PSCAD

ETAP

Power system studies

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Tools

PSS/E

PSLF

ASPEN

CAPE

ETAP

PSCAD

Python for automation

Job description

Ready to make a difference?

We are a relentlessly client-focused group re-imagining, re-designing, and re-engineering the way electric utilities tackle industry problems. Our transmission planning team delivers technically rigorous power system studies and strategic planning support to utilities, developers, and grid operators navigating one of the most dynamic periods in the history of the electric grid - from large-scale renewable interconnection and large load growth to FERC-driven transmission reform. We are seeking an experienced senior engineer ready to own complex engagements, lead a team, and shape the direction of our practice.

Why you will love working here:

• Quality of life: Flexible workplace arrangements, work-life balance
• Investment in the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities
• Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!)

The Ideal Candidate

You are a technically deep transmission planning engineer with a track record of leading complex, multi-discipline power system studies from kickoff through final deliverable. You take ownership of your work and your clients. You move fluidly between steady-state contingency analysis, transient stability, interconnection processes, and long-range buildout assessments without losing the thread. You write clearly, communicate confidently with utility decision-makers, and actively develop the engineers around you. You bring solutions, not just analyses, and you are motivated by the challenge of a grid that is changing fast.

What you will be doing:

Daily and weekly responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as technical lead or study manager on transmission planning engagements, owning scope, schedule, quality, and client relationship
• Perform steady-state load flow and contingency analysis (PSS/E, PSLF, PowerWorld) for utility transmission planning and interconnection studies
• Conduct transient stability and dynamic simulation studies, including modeling of conventional generation and inverter-based resources (IBR)
• Lead generation and large load interconnection impact studies, including feasibility, facilities, and cluster/serial study processes across CAISO, MISO, PJM, ERCOT, WECC, and other regional footprints
• Develop and assess long-range transmission expansion plans evaluating load growth scenarios, generation retirement, renewable buildout, and infrastructure needs
• Support FERC Order 1920 proactive transmission planning and Order 2023 interconnection reform compliance work for utility clients
• Perform NERC reliability standards studies and assessments including TPL-001, FAC-001/002, TOP-001, and MOD series standards
• Author and QA technical study reports for regulatory filings, client deliverables, and interconnection submissions
• Develop Python-based automation and tooling to improve study execution efficiency, model management, and output quality
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through technical review, guidance, and day-to-day collaboration
• Participate in business development through proposal writing, scope development, client presentations, and identification of new opportunities
• Monitor evolving FERC policy, regional planning standards, and grid technology trends to inform client strategy and internal capability development

What we need you to have (minimum qualifications):

• BS in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university
• 2+ years of experience in transmission planning, power system studies, or related electrical engineering

What we would like you to have:

• Hands-on experience with PSS/E, PSLF, or equivalent transmission planning software
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing technical study engagements as primary point of contact
• EIT or PE registration, or active pursuit of licensure
• Deep familiarity with regional ISOs/RTOs - including CAISO, MISO, PJM, ERCOT, WECC, SERC, NYISO, NEISO, and/or SPP - and their interconnection processes and planning criteria
• Experience with IBR and BESS dynamic modeling under NERC MOD-026/027/031/032/033
• Familiarity with long-range transmission expansion planning methodologies and scenario-based planning frameworks
• Experience with large load interconnection studies for data center, hyperscaler, industrial, or other high-demand customers
• Proficiency in Python for power system study automation, model management, and data workflows
• Short circuit analysis experience using ASPEN, CAPE, or ETAP
• Familiarity with electromagnetic transient software (PSCAD, EMTP) as a supplemental capability
• Strong technical report writing skills; ability to communicate complex results clearly to non-engineering audiences and utility executives
• Experience contributing to business development proposals and client scoping discussions

To learn more about this team and how our grid engineering solutions help electric