Transmission Planning Engineer – Lead/Principal

Elevate Energy Consulting; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Annual home office stipend

Performance-based bonus

Travel opportunities

Company holidays

Job summary

Elevate Energy Consulting is seeking a Lead/Principal Engineer to drive advanced transmission planning across multiple clients. The role covers steady-state, stability, dynamics, and short-circuit studies, with emphasis on IBRs and large loads.

You will identify risks, develop mitigations, and deliver rigorous analyses for stakeholders. You will coordinate with clients, prepare technical reports, and present findings at industry forums.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering with power systems focus.
• 8+ years in transmission planning, modeling/studies, or related fields.
• Experience with steady-state, dynamic, and short-circuit studies.
• Proficiency with power system analysis tools and data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present to clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute project study plans and methodologies with clients and partners.
• Develop base case scenarios and coordinate model updates.
• Conduct steady-state powerflow and contingency analysis.
• Perform reactive studies, PV/QV, and transfer analyses as needed.
• Conduct dynamic stability studies and evaluate system performance.
• Identify network upgrades and mitigation actions; coordinate plans with clients.
• Assess grid reliability risks including voltage and frequency instabilities.
• Develop mitigation strategies using FACTS devices and controls tuning.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to clients and stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects, timelines, and deliverables.

Skills

Power systems modeling

Transmission planning

Steady-state analysis

Dynamic stability analysis

PSS/E

PSLF

PowerWorld

Python automation

Excel analytics

Education

Electrical Engineering degree (BS or MS)

Tools

PSS/E

PSLF

PowerWorld

TARA

PSCAD

E-TRAN

ASPEN

Job description

Elevate Energy Consulting supports clients across the electricity ecosystem as we work toward a reliable, resilient, and affordable energy future. We bring expertise in power system planning, design, controls, protection, and operations to solve complex challenges, while helping clients navigate North American regulatory requirements.

Our work spans modeling and studies, protection settings, event analysis, optimization, systems integration, process improvements, and compliance support. We deliver practical, technically sound solutions with a clear goal: to elevate our clients and strengthen the power system for the future.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for leading and executing advanced transmission planning activities across multiple clients and projects including transmission reliability (TPL-001) studies, large load and generation interconnection studies, CIP-014 studies and evaluation, Transmission Planner and Planning Coordination NERC study obligations and other related tasks. Work includes steady-state, stability, dynamics, and short-circuit study analysis, including base case development, contingency selections, network upgrade development, technical report writing and coordination of study results with stakeholders. The position supports the integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) and large loads by identifying system risks, conducting studies, developing mitigation strategies, and delivering technically rigorous analyses to inform clients and stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in transmission planning stability and dynamic modeling, and translating complex technical results into actionable insights.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Lead/Principal Engineer shall be responsible for supporting projects and conducting high-quality work related to the following core responsibilities:

• Lead and execute the development of project study plans and methodologies in coordination with project leaders, clients, and project partners.
• Develop base case scenarios, review models, and coordinate updates with affected parties.
• Conduct steady-state powerflow analysis and contingency analysis.
• Perform reactive studies, PV/QV analysis, transfer analysis, etc., as needed.
• Conduct dynamic stability studies.
• Evaluate system performance deficiencies and identify solution options to mitigate performance issues.
• Identify network upgrades and corrective actions and coordinate transmission plans with client.
• Evaluate system strength and grid conditions through metrics such as short-circuit ratio (SCR), interaction factors, and other methods, to determine weak grid conditions or other high-risk areas.
• Identify and assess grid reliability risks including voltage instability, frequency instability, and other power quality concerns; determine the need for corrective actions and mitigations.
• Develop and evaluate mitigation strategies including FACTS devices (e.g., STATCOMs, SVCs), synchronous condensers, controls tuning, equipment placement and sizing, network upgrades, etc.
• Evaluate system design, protection and control configuration and settings, remedial action schemes, etc., to determine applicable upgrades or improvements as needed.
• Develop advanced automation tools to improve the efficiency of transmission planning studies conducted, visualization of results, reporting, etc.Stay informed of industry trends and assigned requirements updates – NERC, FERC, ISOs, etc.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation of study findings; engage with clients and decisionmakers with study findings, recommendations, and actionable next steps.
• Support client engagements through technical presentations, review meetings, and other communications; engage in and represent Elevate at industry forums related to these topics.
• Manage project execution across multiple clients including timelines, deliverables, meetings, etc.

Qualifications

Candidates should have the following required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering with a specialization in power systems and modeling/studies from an accredited college or university.
• 8+ years of professional experience in transmission planning, modeling/studies, IBRs, large loads, or other related fields with a focus on dynamics and stability studies.
• Technical experience performing steady-state contingency analysis, dynamic/stability simulations, and short   circuit studies.
• Experience using power system analysis tools such as PSS®E, PSLF, PowerWorld, or TARA, and familiarity with data analysis in Microsoft Excel or Python automation.
• Excellent communications skills including written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills, compelling presentation skills, and the ability to establish strategic relationships.
• A highly motivated self-starter and driven individual with the ability to work independently and in the face of uncertainty.

Additionally, candidates should have the following preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering with a focus on dynamics and stability studies
• Strong proficiency with analysis tools such as PSS®E, PSLF, TARA, and/or ASPEN; Python automation proficiency.
• Experience performing EMT studies using PSCAD and E-TRAN
• Ability to communicate effectively internally and externally, and manage project and client relationships.

Physical requirements for this role include:

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a computer.
• Ability to travel to job sites, both in an office environment and in the field.

Company Benefits

• Up to 20% performance-based bonus structure
• Full suite of health benefits including medical, dental, vision
• Annual home office stipend
• Annual employee health and wellness stipend
• Competitive time off and company holidays
• The final title for this role will be determined based on the qualifications of the candidate and on performance through the interview process.
• A background check will be conducted prior to employment.
• All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States or Canada and must complete employment eligibility verification documentation upon hire, in compliance with federal law.
• This is a fully remote role with some travel expected; a passport is required for North American and other international travel.
• This position has been classified as exempt.