Power Systems Engineer 3

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy. The Energy Systems Resilience Group (ESRG) focuses on advancing modeling, simulation,and integra on of emerging power system technologies, including inverter-based resources(IBRs), power electronics, advanced grid controls, and distributed energy systems. ESRG’s capabilities span transmission and distribution modeling, electromagnetic transient studies, dynamic and stability analysis, and systems engineering to support reliability and resilience of an increasingly converter-dominated grid.

Requirements

BS/BA degree in Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of relevant work experience; OR MS/MA in Electrical Engineering and 3+ years of relevant work experience; OR PhD in Electrical Engineering with 1+ year of relevant work experience.
Relevant work experience includes planning or operation of electric utility transmission or distribution systems.
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
Ability to pass a Federal background investigation.
Ability to pass pre-employment drug testing.
Ability to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Nice To Haves

Experience with distribution and/or transmission studies including load flow, short-circuit, stability, and protection.
Microgrid field experience (generation, energy storage, renewables) and campus-scale resilience assessments.
Knowledge of SCADA and grid communications systems; familiarity with cybersecurity implications.
Awareness of inverter-based resources, power electronics, and grid-forming/grid-following control concepts.
Experience doing geospatial analysis using GIS tools.
Experience with DOD/DOE programs; prior or current national security clearance is beneficial.
Military service experience is a plus (mission orientation, field-readiness).
Strong written and verbal communication; ability to lead tasks and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to research, design, modeling, integration, and field validation of power system technologies.
Analyze, model, and simulate power systems, including protection, stability, reliability, and operational characteristics.
Evaluate design options and system integration plans.
Select components and equipment based on technical specifications, reliability, and system-level requirements.
Develop and apply techniques for integrating diverse energy resources (renewables, storage, conventional generation) and points of consumption.
Perform risk analysis to assess failure modes, disruption likelihood/consequence, and mitigation strategies.
Contribute to secure and reliable architectures that incorporate communications systems and grid cybersecurity considerations.
Plan and execute hands-on installation of novel devices in laboratory and field testbeds; maintain documentation and safety/compliance practices.
Model inverter-based resources and power-electronics interactions at an awareness level sufficient to inform system design and testing.
Collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams; communicate progress to sponsors and stakeholders; publish and present research outcomes where appropriate.