Operations Engineering Manager

Wind Energy Transmission Texas•Austin, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Operations Engineering Manager (engineering manager) will be responsible for leading WETT’s operations engineering team. In this role, the engineering manager will oversee multiple functions which include outage studies and coordination, system modeling, fault event analysis, equipment performance analysis, asset management, and operations controls. The engineering manager is responsible for providing technical support and analysis to system operations and field operations staff, responding to technical requisitions, and developing technical procedures and specifications. Additionally, the engineering manager will be responsible for leading the development of WETT’s synchronous condenser program to ensure adequate technical support and oversight is provided by internal engineering resources. This position will be located in Austin, TX, and will report to the Operations Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology is required.
Minimum 10 years work experience in transmission system operations engineering or substation/protection and control design is required.
Candidate must be familiar with ERCOT nodal protocols and operating guides.
Experience with ERCOT System Operations Test Environment (SOTE).
Experience with ERCOT Network Operations Model Change Request (NOMCR) process.
Experience with Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSSE).
Experience with Open Systems International (OSI) / AspenTech SCADA systems.
Experience with Siemens T3000 distributed control systems.
Ability to use and quickly comprehend computer-based systems utilized for content management, data entry, data tracking, and work processes.
Ability to create presentations, charts, tables, and graphs for data illustration.
Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook).
Experience with utilizing various ERCOT tools such as outage scheduler, SOTE, and MAGE.
Knowledge of PSSE or other similar power system modeling programs.
Comprehensive understanding of power systems.
Comprehensive understanding of transmission protection systems and schemes.
Comprehensive understanding of synchronous machine technology.
Comprehensive understanding of SCADA systems.
Comprehensive understanding of electrical power devices such as transformers, reactors, capacitor banks, and circuit breakers.
Comprehensive understanding of NERC standards related to protection system equipment and system operations.
Comprehensive understating of industry codes and standards such as IEEE, NESC, and NFPA 70/70E.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license in power systems is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead a team of technical staff, including WETT’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) team and system operations engineering team.
Provide technical direction and oversight for system outage studies. Coordinate outage requirements and switching solutions with various stakeholder such as ERCOT, project management, construction, and field operations teams.
Conduct system studies and determine real time and future system conditions, contingencies, and base case violations.
Develop and lead engineering program focused on WETT’s synchronous condenser assets. This program will focus on real time monitoring and operational support, equipment performance, and resolution of technical issues. Additionally, a strong relationship with the original equipment manufacturer and associated contract staff will need to be established throughout the lifecycle of the assets.
Lead WETT’s asset management program and establish asset integration requirements, real time monitoring criteria, predictive and corrective action criteria, performance trending, and routine equipment testing requirements.
Provide technical responses to inquiries originated by regulatory jurisdictions.
Assist WETT operations with technical review of applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards and develop appropriate recommendations to ensure compliance.
Review relay event reports to determine fault type, magnitude, and location. Coordinate with WETT field operations and protection and control engineering on corrective actions when required.
Support field operations team during protection system testing by reviewing applicable settings logic schemes and coordinating the development of test plans with WETT’s consultants.
Review, trend, and provide technical recommendations on equipment performance data such as dissolved gas analysis (DGA), bushing health, and partial discharge monitoring.
Conduct regular analysis of equipment test results, trend historical data, and provide proactive recommendations.
Lead SCADA design integration, testing, and commissioning when new projects/assets are energized.
Develop detailed reports which highlight WETT’s equipment performance health.
Assist system operators during real time events and emergencies.
Assist field operations with troubleshooting, equipment repairs and replacement, and test analysis.
Provide technical shift support to system operators and operations field staff (i.e. system operating parameters and voltage analysis; relay operation review, system alarm investigation).
Lead WETT’s Network Operations Model Change Request (NOMCR) process with ERCOT.
Conduct design reviews and provide input on new projects - review and provide feedback on applicable project drawings and operational design requirements.
Attend various industry working groups such as: voltage profile working group, operations working group, network data support working group, and user groups applicable to WETT operations.