Lead Engineer — Grid Stability Studies

Duke Energy•Plainfield, IN

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides technical leadership for Dynamic Stability studies within Duke Energy Grid Stability & Advanced Studies. The Lead Engineer serves as a subject matter expert in power system dynamic performance and advanced transmission studies supporting transmission expansion planning, large load interconnections, regulatory compliance, and special system investigations. As the technical specialist level in the engineering hierarchy, this role provides leadership, technical direction, mentoring, and oversight for complex engineering programs and studies with broad organizational impact. The Lead Engineer exercises independent judgment, establishes technical approaches, develops engineering processes and standards, and guides engineers across the organization. The position is a primary technical resource for dynamic stability studies in Duke Energy's Midwest territory and supports other advanced studies. It works with internal stakeholders, neighboring utilities, regional transmission organizations, consultants, and project developers to evaluate system performance and identify reliability solutions that enable grid growth. The role also represents Duke Energy in industry and regulatory forums. The preferred work location is Plainfield, Indiana, though other locations within Duke Energy's service territory may be considered. The position is hybrid after the onboarding period, with work performed remotely and onsite. Hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute—no greater than 50 miles one way—to their assigned Duke Energy facility and are expected to report there as directed, averaging three full workdays per regular workweek. Some business units may require visits to field sites or plants. Travel is 5–15%. Relocation assistance is not provided, as applicable. The role is not visa-sponsored and requires the ability to work lawfully in the United States without current or future employment-based immigration sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program; a master's degree in engineering may be considered in lieu of the bachelor's engineering degree.
8 years of related work experience.
Registration as a Professional Engineer.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Electric Power Systems or a related discipline.
Experience in the electric utility industry.
Experience with transmission planning, stability studies, interconnection studies, or advanced system studies.
Experience with MISO and/or PJM planning processes, model development, regional planning studies, and stakeholder coordination.
Experience with transmission planning and stability analysis software, including PSS®E, PSCAD, TSAT, TARA, PowerWorld, or similar applications.
Strong understanding of dynamic stability analysis, EMT studies, harmonics analysis, oscillatory stability, and inverter-based resource performance.
Experience with transmission system protection principles, protection system design, relay settings, and protection coordination associated with transmission facilities and interconnections.
Experience supporting large load, data center, renewable generation, inverter-based resource, or generator interconnection projects.
Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, including TPL-001, CIP-014, MOD-026, MOD-027, MOD-032, and MOD-033.
Experience coordinating and overseeing technical work performed by consultants and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while providing technical leadership.
Strong analytical, technical writing, presentation, and communication skills.
Experience representing utilities before regional entities, industry organizations, working groups, or regulatory bodies.
Proficiency in engineering theories, principles, project management, problem solving, and development of technical recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and influence technical decisions across multiple organizations.

Responsibilities

Perform transmission studies, including Dynamic Stability, Electromagnetic Transient (EMT), and other advanced power system analyses.
Support reliability assessments for transmission expansion plans, large load interconnections, generation interconnections, and emerging system conditions.
Provide technical leadership and guidance for complex engineering studies, analytical methodologies, and modeling practices.
Coordinate with MISO and PJM planning organizations on regional planning activities, model development, study assumptions, project evaluations, and stakeholder initiatives.
Participate in MISO and PJM technical working groups, stakeholder processes, and regional planning activities.
Coordinate with large load developers, generation developers, neighboring utilities, and consultants to ensure accurate modeling information and study assumptions.
Provide technical oversight of consultant-performed studies, reviewing methodologies, assumptions, results, recommendations, and deliverables.
Participate in site visits, testing activities, and commissioning support as needed to evaluate system performance and validate study assumptions.
Coordinate with Transmission Planning, Operations, Protection & Control, Generation, and other engineering organizations to keep models, assumptions, and planning criteria current and consistent.
Lead the identification, analysis, and resolution of complex power system issues affecting transmission reliability and grid performance.
Prepare and present technical studies, reports, recommendations, correspondence, and presentations to leadership, stakeholders, and external organizations.
Manage project schedules, technical deliverables, stakeholder interfaces, and study execution for assigned initiatives.
Support development and continuous improvement of study methodologies, modeling practices, technical standards, and planning processes.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers within the organization.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with regulators, regional entities, neighboring utilities, consultants, developers, and internal stakeholders.
Represent Duke Energy positively and professionally with external stakeholders, industry organizations, and regulatory bodies.
Support compliance with applicable NERC Reliability Standards and regional planning requirements.