Transmission Planning Engineer (PSCAD Specialist)

WSP; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Denver, CO is seeking an experienced Transmission Planning Engineer (PSCAD Specialist) to join our ESSP team. You will collaborate with experienced planners to deliver projects and develop reliable energy infrastructure.

The role focuses on EMT studies, PSCAD model development, and mentoring junior engineers, with opportunities to lead projects and contribute to business development.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of direct EMT transmission planning experience.
• PSCAD experience including complex controls interactions.
• Ability to work in a dynamic team environment to meet customer needs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Must reside and work within the United States.

Responsibilities

• Perform EMT work for network studies, generation and load interconnection tasks, and microgrid modeling.
• Develop generation, load, and asset models based on provided designs and manufacturer models.
• Tune control parameters in PSCAD models to meet performance requirements.
• Develop controls for power plant, grid-forming and inverter-based resources, STATCOMs, and FACTS.
• Execute tasks per scope, schedule, and budget; prepare study reports with findings.
• Perform QA/QC reviews of work produced by others.
• Mentor junior engineers and support team development.
• Maintain knowledge of Transmission Planning guides and industry practices.
• Support business development including proposals and client meetings.
• Identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Skills

PSCAD

EMT studies

Transmission planning

Team leadership

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Engineer in Training Certification

Master’s Degree in Engineering (preferred)

Tools

PSS/E

PSLF

DSA Tools

TARA

PowerWorld

ASPEN

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking an experienced Transmission Planning Engineer (PSCAD Specialist) to join our growing Electrical Studies, SCADA, and Protection (ESSP) team, based in our Denver, CO office. Candidates for our offices in Fort Worth, TX, Orlando, FL, Phoenix, AZ, Overland Park, KS, Pittsburgh, PA, Raleigh, NC, and fully remote will also be considered. In this role, you will work with a team of experienced transmission planners to deliver projects and innovative planning solutions. You will help clients to achieve their goals, address challenges, and support the development of reliable energy infrastructure.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.

The successful candidate will support electromagnetic transient (EMT) transmission planning studies and model development, collaborate with engineers and clients, and produce high-quality technical documentation. The majority of this work will be done using the software PSCAD, meaning a successful candidate will bring multiple years of experience in that software. They must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work under senior engineering guidance, and communicate effectively with team members. Prior leadership experience is preferred.

Your Impact

• Perform EMT work for network studies, generation and load interconnection tasks, and microgrid modeling.
• Develop generation, load, and asset models based on provided designs. When applicable, work with equipment manufacturer models.
• Perform model tuning of control parameters to meet performance requirements using both generic and manufacturer-specific models. When applicable, work with equipment manufacturers on model parameter tuning.
• Develop controls for resources including power plant controllers, grid-following and grid-forming inverter-based resources, synchronous generation, STATCOMs, and FACTS equipment.
• Execute project tasks in accordance with established scope, schedule, and budget requirements.
• Prepare reports including study assumptions, findings, and recommendations.
• Performs quality control reviews of work developed by others.
• Collaborate with and mentor junior engineers to support the development of transmission planning teams.
• Maintain and grow knowledge of Transmission Planning guides, standards, and industry practices.
• Support business development activities, including proposal development, budget estimates, and client meetings.
• Works proficiently both as an individual contributor and as part of a team.
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of engineering work, leveraging automation, AI tools, etc.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Engineer in Training Certification.
• 7 to 10 years of direct experience performing transmission planning studies, including electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies.
• PSCAD experience including complex controls interactions, inverter and rotating generation, detailed FACTS modeling, grid-forming controls knowledge, and sub-synchronous studies.
• Experience developing and tuning PSCAD models for new and existing transmission resources.
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic team environment with a focus on supporting projects that meet customer needs.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing technical topics effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to junior team members and promote adherence to QA/QC.
• Must reside and work within the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Professional Licensure/Certification.
• Hands-on experience with multiple power system software packages such as PSS/E, PSLF, DSA Tools, TARA, PowerWorld, and ASPEN.
• Experience performing system impact studies in multiple US markets & networks
• Expert in NERC compliance with extensive study experience
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.

Disclaimer:

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $115,200yr- $195,800yr

WSP USA isprovidingthe compensation range that the company in good faith believes it mightpayand/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right toultimately paymore or less than the posted range and offeradditionalbenefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.