Power Systems Advisory Engineer

NRTC•Herndon, VA

1d•Remote

About The Position

NRTC is Member Driven and Technology Focused – providing solutions that help our 1,500 electric and telephone members bring all the advantages of today’s evolving technology to rural America. NRTC’s solutions are developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, and include integrated broadband, managed services, smart grid, mobile solutions. We are a dynamic, growing cooperative with more than 800 employees operating out of eight office locations. Job Summary We are looking to add experienced staff to our Smart Grid team to help our utility cooperative members develop smart grid technology roadmaps. Our approach is to educate and support our members as we work with them through a consultative process. The Engineering & Grid Planning Advisor supports NRTC member electric cooperatives by providing practical engineering insight, planning support, and implementation guidance that complements NRTC’s smart grid advisory services. This role helps cooperatives translate strategy into action by supporting system studies, planning activities, and project execution while recognizing the operational realities and resource constraints common across the cooperative network. This position operates in a dynamic environment, working across multiple member cooperatives and partnering closely with NRTC advisory teams to deliver exceptional member value.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of electric distribution system planning, including load forecasting, circuit performance, voltage and reactive power management, capacity constraints, and contingency analysis
Experience performing and/or reviewing power system studies such as load flow, short circuit, protection and coordination, and reliability or resiliency assessments
Working knowledge of distributed energy resources (DER) and distributed generation (DG) integration, including interconnection screening, system impact evaluation, mitigation strategies, and hosting capacity–style approaches
Familiarity with grid modernization and field automation concepts, including distribution automation devices and SCADA considerations
Proficiency in distribution system modeling and analysis tools and the ability to apply results to real‑world operational and planning decisions
Ability to structure, document, and defend engineering analysis, including defining assumptions, validating data, and clearly explaining results
Strong advisory skills, including the ability to lead discovery, diagnose root causes, and translate ambiguous issues into well‑defined engineering problems
Ability to develop and communicate multiple solution options with clear tradeoffs related to cost, risk, timeline, and operational impact
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences
Ability to self‑manage and support multiple member utilities in a shared‑services or remote environment while delivering high‑quality, defensible work products
Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET‑accredited institution or equivalent combination of technical education and relevant experience required
Six (6) or more years of experience working with electric utilities; experience with electric cooperatives strongly preferred
Demonstrated proficiency with engineering modeling software and Microsoft Office tools
Proven experience applying engineering expertise in a client‑facing, advisory, or shared‑services context

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred; ability to obtain licensure within six (6) months of employment required if not currently licensed

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted engineering advisor to member cooperatives by clarifying objectives, understanding operational constraints, and translating needs into practical engineering approaches and phased roadmaps
Lead discovery conversations with engineering, operations, and leadership stakeholders to define problems, constraints, decision criteria, and success measures; document findings in clear, action-oriented summaries
Communicate complex technical concepts in decision-ready language for both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive-level briefings and board-ready materials
Execute and/or review distribution planning and power system studies, including protection and coordination, arc-flash, fault duty, voltage management and optimization, and power quality assessments, with clear mitigation recommendations
Develop study scopes, assumptions, and methodologies that reflect cooperative realities and align recommendations with implementable next steps
Provide distributed generation and interconnection planning support, including screening, system impact evaluations, and mitigation options for generators, batteries, and behind-the-meter resources. Support the development and improvement of member DG processes by creating repeatable engineering screens, standard work, data requirements, timelines, and templates
Lead reliability and system modernization planning, including feeder improvement concepts, device strategies (reclosers, sectionalizers, DA devices), and integration considerations for SCADA and field automation
Partner with member teams to translate reliability goals (e.g., SAIDI/SAIFI) into prioritized, fundable portfolios of projects and operational improvements
Contribute to wildfire risk mitigation planning by aligning engineering approaches to risk reduction outcomes, coordinating with internal advisory resources and external partners as needed
Provide owner’s engineer support on select projects, including design and study reviews, validation of assumptions, procurement/specification input, and implementation oversight
Own end-to-end delivery of assigned projects, including scoping, scheduling, internal coordination, quality assurance, and timely completion of deliverables
Produce high-quality, defensible technical deliverables such as models, memoranda, reports, and diagrams suitable for reuse and audit
Support development and refinement of engineering service offerings through standard scopes, estimating tools, reusable templates, and “starter packages” that improve consistency, utilization, and speed to launch
Identify opportunities to extend or deepen member engagements and coordinate with advisory teams to support continuity from assessment through planning, engineering, and implementation
Other duties as assigned