Lead Market Operations Engineer - Demand Response

ERCOT•Austin, TX

21h•$145,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides advanced engineering and analytical support for the Texas wholesale electricity market and ERCOT grid operations. Monitors system conditions and market performance, applies electricity market theory to understand market behavior and outcomes, and anticipates and resolves issues within the ERCOT Protocols framework. Works with limited supervision and serves as a technical resource to Market Participants, the PUCT, industry and stakeholder groups, and internal departments. Develops improved analytical tools, validates proposed market system changes, and supports demand integration, load profiling and demand response initiatives. Provides guidance to less experienced team members. At the lead level, sets the technical vision and direction for wholesale market engineering and demand integration. Serves as a subject matter expert, directs engineering studies and modeling, shapes market design and ERCOT Protocols, and leads strategic demand response initiatives. Advises senior executives, Board members, regulators and stakeholders, and represents ERCOT in industry forums. The position is based in Taylor, Texas, with at least two on-site days per week or more as business needs require. Remote work must be performed from the employee’s Texas residence.

Requirements

Senior level: At least 5 years of job-related work experience beyond degree requirements.
Lead level: At least 8 years of job-related work experience beyond degree requirements.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
Ability to work on-site in Taylor, Texas at least 2 days per week, or more as business needs require.
Remote work must be performed from a Texas residence.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing data analysis and engineering studies in the electric utility or wholesale electricity market environment.
Ability to communicate technical subject matter effectively to diverse audiences.
Proficiency in SQL and/or SAS.
Experience with data analysis using Python.
Knowledge of ERCOT markets, ERCOT Protocols and the ERCOT stakeholder process.
Knowledge of demand response programs in ERCOT and/or other jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze ERCOT wholesale market and grid conditions, recommending design and system modifications to efficiently integrate demand-side participation.
Anticipate and resolve wholesale market and grid operations issues using power engineering knowledge and experience.
Perform engineering studies using ERCOT network models to analyze system conditions and events.
Prepare and validate electric power system models and apply electricity market theory to explain market behavior and outcomes.
Maintain advanced knowledge of competitive energy markets, industry trends, ERCOT Protocols and grid operations to advance demand integration.
Generate and maintain market reports in response to requests and Protocols.
Develop data acquisition, analysis and reporting solutions using tools such as SQL, SAS and Python.
Support development and revision of Protocols, guides and business procedures related to the wholesale market and demand integration.
Respond to Market Participant questions about daily market and grid operations, including load profiling and modeling.
Support load sampling, data collection and analysis, and maintenance of profiling and modeling systems for demand integration.
Lead cross-functional, matrixed teams and drive demand response initiatives to completion.
Develop and apply approaches to quantify the impact of ERCOT and Market Participant demand response programs.
Provide technical assistance to management, the PUCT, industry and stakeholder groups, including support for demand response program development.
Attend stakeholder, industry and PUCT meetings; provide technical input and prepare and deliver presentations.
Work independently, exercise sound judgment and escalate issues to the Supervisor and/or Manager when necessary.
Build strong working relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers and analysts.
Set the technical vision and long-range priorities and roadmaps for wholesale market engineering, anticipating market, grid and load trends.
Develop new theories, methods and market-design concepts that shape the future ERCOT market construct.
Evaluate market performance and emerging risks and propose strategic market design and system enhancements aligned with ERCOT reliability and market objectives.
Anticipate enterprise-wide issues and develop durable solutions, exercising wide latitude in decisions with impact beyond the department.
Define strategy and standards for engineering studies and power system modeling, including forward-looking scenario analysis, and direct others performing that work.
Provide strategic direction for load profiling, modeling and demand integration, anticipating reliability impacts of substantial new load growth and overseeing supporting data and systems.
Set scope and direction for multi-phase projects that implement and enhance market operations systems in alignment with long-term priorities.
Shape the long-term evolution of ERCOT Protocols, guides and procedures, including those enabling demand response participation.
Develop and drive demand response program strategy across departments and hold teams accountable for implementation.
Influence regulatory direction by providing strategic input to the PUCT and other regulators on proposals and rulemakings.
Represent ERCOT as an industry thought leader on panels, committees, advisory boards and working groups, bringing relevant industry insights back to inform ERCOT strategy.
Build consensus among stakeholders with differing interests, including Market Participants and the Independent Market Monitor.
Advise senior executives, Board members and regulators on strategic challenges, opportunities and tradeoffs, communicating complex technical subjects to diverse audiences.
Define the vision for data acquisition, analytical tools and reporting capabilities, and sponsor innovation and oversee market reports.
Serve as the escalation point for complex Market Participant disputes and questions, identifying systemic causes and driving procedural or design changes.
Identify and drive business process improvements, and track and forecast demand response trends and potential impacts on ERCOT.
Build strategic partnerships with universities and other RTOs/ISOs, publish conceptual papers, and mentor and coach future technical leaders.