About The Position
NREL is seeking an enthusiastic and driven power distribution system researcher within the Strategic Energy Analysis and Decision Sciences (SEADS) directorate. The SEADS directorate contributes to an exciting portfolio of energy analysis, grid futures studies, applying advanced modeling and simulation tools to optimally plan, design, and analyze distribution and bulk power systems. You would join us in researching, supporting and advancing electric distribution systems research, using power-flow modeling, optimization, machine-learning, neural networks, capacity modeling, forecasting techniques, statistical analysis, and data analysis among other research techniques. You would join a highly collaborative team of distribution researchers who are focused on delivering a reliable, affordable, and resilient grid of the future. This team works with distribution utilities, regulators, and government entities across the U.S. and internationally, and works across multiple Department of Energy offices. The team focuses on major challenges including capacity expansion of the distribution system to enable load growth from buildings and vehicles, large loads, and integration of distributed energy resources. Examples of ongoing research and analysis include: Integrated distribution planning Advanced hosting capacity analyses Grid interconnection planning Capacity expansion of distribution systems Building electrification and flexibility DER grid services and markets Grid resilience analysis for distribution planning Our work informs technology developers, policymakers, and utilities by developing and analyzing future grid scenarios that answer critical questions about how the electric grid is transforming. This position seeks an enthusiastic and driven candidate who can advance and grow distribution systems research at NREL.
Requirements
- Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
- Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, data science, or related discipline
- Experience in at least one aspect of; distributed generation integration, distribution system analysis, distribution system planning, distributed energy resources, energy storage, building and vehicle electrification, flexible loads, or grid resilience.
- Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
Nice To Haves
- Advanced modeling and analyses of distribution systems
- Experience with power-flow modeling (e.g., OpenDSS, Synergi, CYME, WindMil, etc.)
- Experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, Julia, R, etc.)
- Experience working with large grid and/or distributed generation datasets and constructing databases
- Experience working with code development and collaborative coding efforts involving version control
- Developing innovative research topics that expand the research space
- Contribute to the projects and teams that contribute to the advancement of science leading to innovating power grid operations and planning
- Collaborating with research experts from wide group of skillsets
- Communicates an inspiring vision of the future across the organization
- Empathizes and actively listening in client-relationships
- Writing and publishing results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals and/or technical reports
- Experience communicating energy modelling results to a wide range of audiences including policymakers and other decision makers.
- Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
Benefits
- Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement.
- NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component.
- Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Administrative and Support Services
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
