HVDC/ HVAC Lead

Elia Grid International•New York, NY

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Elia Grid International (EGI) is a global power systems consultancy seeking an experienced HVDC/HVAC Lead to join its U.S.-based infrastructure team. This role will guide the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations, and related transmission infrastructure, supporting major transmission, interconnection, and project development opportunities. The position involves technical leadership, shaping technical solutions for U.S. transmission opportunities, supporting proposals, reviewing work from OEMs and consultants, and translating technical choices into cost, schedule, permitting, interconnection, and commercial implications. The Lead will collaborate with various stakeholders including project developers, transmission owners, utilities, ISOs/RTOs, OEMs, engineering contractors, and internal EGI teams to ensure reliable, constructible, compliant, and objective-aligned technical solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
Typically 8+ years of experience in HVDC, HVAC substations, transmission engineering, power systems engineering or related infrastructure projects.
Strong knowledge of HVDC converter stations, HVAC substations, transmission facilities and grid interconnection infrastructure.
Demonstrated experience with HVDC VSC technology; LCC experience is considered an advantage.
Experience with the design, specification, procurement, design review, construction support, testing, commissioning or operation of HVDC converter stations and/or high-voltage AC substations.
Strong understanding of primary equipment, protection and control systems, station layouts, grid connection requirements, technical interfaces, reliability standards and operational constraints.
Experience working with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, transmission owners, OEMs, engineering contractors, developers or regulatory stakeholders.
Ability to translate project strategy, interconnection requirements, system study outcomes, regulatory constraints and cost/schedule considerations into practical engineering solutions.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to commercial, legal, financial and executive stakeholders.
Fluency in English and willingness to travel within the U.S. and internationally as required.
Candidates must be authorised to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
Experience with U.S. transmission owner requirements, utility interconnection practices, NERC reliability expectations and ISO/RTO processes, including CAISO, PJM, SPP, MISO, NYISO or ISO-NE.
Familiarity with FERC requirements and relevant IEEE, IEC and CIGRÉ guidance applicable to HVDC, HVAC substations and high-voltage transmission systems.
Experience with offshore wind, long-distance transmission, converter station development, FACTS, multi-terminal HVDC or complex grid integration projects.
Professional Engineer registration, or progress toward PE registration, is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Lead the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure.
Support U.S. transmission development opportunities, including ISO/RTO solicitations, FERC Order 1000 processes, utility RFPs and other project development initiatives.
Define and review technical architectures, equipment strategies, design basis documents, specifications, single-line diagrams, protection and control concepts, and interface requirements.
Review and challenge technical work performed by OEMs, engineering contractors and external consultants, ensuring that assumptions, deliverables, cost inputs, schedules and risks remain aligned with project strategy.
Ensure proper integration between new project facilities and incumbent transmission owner substations, including protection coordination, control and communication interfaces, outage constraints and grid connection requirements.
Evaluate alternative technical solutions in terms of reliability, constructability, cost-effectiveness, schedule impact, permitting risk and competitive positioning.
Support procurement and tendering activities, including technical scope definition, bid evaluation, clarifications, design reviews and contract negotiations.
Translate system studies, interconnection requirements and regulatory constraints into practical engineering requirements.
Identify and manage technical risks related to design maturity, equipment strategy, integration, commissioning, operational readiness, schedule, cost and compliance.
Contribute to the development of EGI’s HVDC/HVAC expertise, technical partnerships and U.S. market positioning.