Planning Engineer Sr

ERCOT•Taylor, TX

3d•$110,000 - $151,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides electrical engineering analysis and technical support for planning and operating the electric power system. The role implements system modeling, develops tools and procedures to monitor and control the system, performs stability assessments, analyzes simulated or actual operating results, develops solutions to current or future system stability issues, and reports findings and recommendations. At Engineer 2 and Engineer 3 levels, the position designs and performs steady-state and dynamic contingency analyses using power system simulation models such as PSSE, VSAT, or TSAT. It runs scenarios and input variations, evaluates study accuracy and confidence, helps develop conclusions and recommendations, prepares reports and presentations, structures stability studies to determine operating limits, assists with study reports and procedures for ERCOT management, NERC, and other entities, and reviews stakeholder reports for technical accuracy. At the senior level, the position also serves as a departmental subject matter expert, makes independent decisions except in unusually complex engineering situations, and resolves complex issues through in-depth analysis. It may coordinate presentations and stakeholder meetings with ERCOT personnel, Market Participants, and regulatory agencies. The senior engineer builds working relationships across teams, guides projects and teammates, mentors less experienced engineers and analysts, leads multifunctional study teams, demonstrates expert use of power system applications and related software, and maintains knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices. The position level may be Engineer 2, Engineer 3, or Senior Engineer depending on the candidate's experience. The role is expected to be on-site at least two days per week, with additional on-site attendance potentially required based on management discretion and business needs. Remote work schedules must be performed within Texas, subject to stated exceptions for business travel or approved temporary arrangements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or a combination of education and experience providing knowledge equivalent to a major in such fields.
Engineer 2: at least 1 to 2 years of progressively responsible experience beyond degree requirements as a power system engineer or in a similar role.
Engineer 3: at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience beyond degree requirements as a power system engineer or in a similar role.
Senior Engineer: at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience beyond degree requirements as a power system engineer or in a similar role within the electric utility industry.
Expert use of power system software applications and tools, spreadsheet programs, and database programs is expected at the senior level.
Ability to perform the essential functions proficiently, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Electric utility industry experience for Engineer 2 and Engineer 3 candidates.
Experience performing large-scale dynamic stability analyses using power system simulation tools such as PSSE and TSAT.
Experience evaluating and updating power system dynamic models, especially inverter-based resource (IBR) models.
Experience programming and developing simulation automation tools using Python.
Experience assisting in improvements to transmission planning processes and familiarity with NERC reliability standards.
Experience with the Energy Management System (EMS).

Responsibilities

Provide electrical engineering analysis and technical support for electric power system planning and operations.
Implement system modeling and develop tools and procedures to monitor and control the system.
Perform system stability assessments and analyze simulated or actual operating results.
Develop solutions to current or future system stability issues and report findings and recommendations.
Design and perform steady-state analyses and dynamic contingency analyses using power system simulation models such as PSSE, VSAT, or TSAT.
Run scenarios and input variations to produce robust results; analyze study accuracy and assign confidence metrics.
Help formulate conclusions and recommendations and prepare reports and presentations.
Structure stability studies to determine system operating limits.
Assist in preparing study reports and procedures for ERCOT management, NERC, and other entities.
Review stakeholder reports for appropriate technical content and accuracy.
At the senior level, serve as a technical subject matter expert and make independent engineering decisions except in unusually complex scenarios.
Analyze and resolve complex engineering issues through in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
Coordinate presentations and participate in stakeholder meetings with ERCOT personnel, Market Participants, and industry regulatory agencies as applicable.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with the team and other internal departments.
Provide professional expertise to guide projects and help teammates assigned by the manager.
Mentor and advise less experienced engineers and analysts.
Lead multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments, and perform studies.
Use power system software applications and tools, spreadsheet programs, and database programs as an expert.
Maintain knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices.