Transmission Planning Manager

LVI Associates; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates is seeking a Transmission Planning Manager to provide technical leadership and drive complex planning initiatives for utility and ISO/RTO clients. This role leads reliability studies, supports grid modernization projects, and develops long-term transmission strategies for electric systems.

You will mentor engineering teams, present technical findings to executives and regulators, and collaborate across design, operations, and markets to deliver integrated solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years in power systems with focus on transmission planning and studies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and large technical studies.
• Strong client-facing experience with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, or consulting firms.

Responsibilities

• Lead transmission planning and power system studies for clients.
• Perform and review power flow, contingency, stability and transfer analyses.
• Guide expansion planning and reliability assessments for grid needs.
• Develop mitigation strategies and evaluate performance under contingencies.
• Mentor engineers and collaborate across protection, operations, and design teams.
• Present findings to clients, regulators, and executives; support BD activities.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Mentoring

Power systems engineering

Transmission planning

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

PSLF

PowerWorld

PSCAD

ETAP

Python scripting

Job description

We are seeking a Transmission Planning Manager to provide technical leadership and lead complex transmission planning initiatives for utility, ISO/RTO, and energy industry clients. This role is ideal for a highly experienced power systems professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership and client engagement skills.

The successful candidate will lead a variety of transmission planning and reliability studies, support grid modernization initiatives, evaluate system performance under changing operating conditions, and help clients navigate reliability, interconnection, and transmission expansion challenges. This individual will serve as a technical subject matter expert, mentor engineering teams, and play a key role in developing long-term planning strategies for electric transmission systems.

This position is best suited for candidates with significant experience at electric utilities, ISOs/RTOs, or power systems consulting organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee transmission planning and power system studies for utility, generation, and transmission clients.
• Perform and review power flow, contingency, short circuit, voltage stability, transient stability, and transfer capability analyses.
• Lead transmission expansion planning and reliability assessments to support evolving grid needs and future resource integration.
• Evaluate transmission system performance under normal and contingency conditions and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support generator interconnection, renewable integration, load growth, and large customer connection studies.
• Conduct and review NERC reliability assessments and planning evaluations.
• Provide technical leadership on regional transmission planning efforts and long-range system development initiatives.
• Interpret study results and present technical recommendations to clients, regulators, and executive stakeholders.
• Support proposal development, project scoping, business development, and client relationship management activities.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers while fostering technical excellence across project teams.
• Collaborate with protection engineering, operations, markets, generation, and transmission design teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Maintain awareness of emerging industry trends, planning methodologies, and regulatory developments affecting transmission systems.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in power systems engineering, with a significant focus on transmission planning, system planning, and power system studies.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale technical studies and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong client-facing experience with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, transmission owners, or power engineering consulting firms.
• Experience presenting technical findings to executive leadership, stakeholders, and regulatory organizations.

Technical Expertise

Candidates should possess experience in several of the following areas:

• Transmission Planning
• Reliability and Resource Adequacy Studies
• Power Flow Analysis
• Dynamic and Transient Stability Analysis
• Transfer Capability and Congestion Analysis
• NERC Compliance and Planning Standards
• Transmission Expansion Planning
• Long-Term Grid Modernization Planning
• Voltage Stability and Reactive Power Analysis

Software & Tools

Strong experience with several of the following:

• PSLF
• TARA
• PowerWorld
• PSCAD
• TSAT
• Aspen OneLiner
• CAPE
• PROMOD
• ETAP
• Python or other scripting/programming tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or P.Eng. license.
• Prior experience working within an ISO/RTO environment such as PJM, MISO, ERCOT, SPP, CAISO, NYISO, or ISO-NE.
• Experience supporting transmission planning regulatory filings, stakeholder processes, or regional planning initiatives.
• Proven track record of technical leadership, business development, and client growth.
• Experience managing engineering teams and mentoring technical staff.

Travel

Minimal travel is expected; however, candidates should be willing to attend client meetings, industry conferences, planning workshops, and occasional on-site engagements as needed.

Ideal Background

We are particularly interested in candidates who have built their careers within:

• Electric Utilities
• Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)
• Transmission Owners and Operators
• Engineering Consulting Organizations focused on transmission and system planning

This role is intended for a recognized technical leader who can guide strategic transmission planning efforts, solve complex grid reliability challenges, and help shape the future of the electric power system.