Power Systems Engineer - Grid Analysis

Electric Reliability Council of Texas•Taylor, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

At ERCOT, a Grid Analysis engineer works with operations teams to support the reliability of the Texas electric power grid and wholesale market. The role provides electrical engineering analysis and technical support for electric power system operations by implementing system models, developing monitoring and control tools and procedures, performing studies, analyzing simulated or actual operating results, and recommending solutions to current and future system issues. The engineer designs and performs steady-state analyses using power-flow models such as PSSE, VSAT, or PowerWorld, initially under the direction of a senior engineer or management. The role includes analyzing Constraint Management Plans (CMPs), Remedial Action Schemes (RASs), regional power transfers, and potential wide-area cascading risks; supporting the development and maintenance of ERCOT’s Black Start Plan; and evaluating generator and transmission equipment performance against reliability requirements. The engineer also helps identify future requirements and develop reliability improvements, which may include changes to rules or requirements. The position serves as a technical subject matter expert and involves independent decisions, including work on complex engineering issues requiring in-depth evaluation. It may include coordinating and presenting at stakeholder meetings, leading multifunctional teams and studies, mentoring less experienced engineers and analysts, and collaborating with internal departments and Market Participants. The engineer is expected to maintain knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices and to use power system software, spreadsheets, and databases expertly. The position is based in Taylor, Texas. Employees must work on-site at least two days per week, or more as business needs require. On-site schedules may be flexible or rotated, and employees may choose to work on-site more often or full-time. Remote work, when used, must be performed from the employee’s Texas residence. Salary and level depend on overall experience, with an expected salary range of $110,000 to $151,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
Progressively responsible experience beyond degree requirements, based on level: Engineer 1 requires less than one year in the electric utility industry; Engineer 2 requires 1–2 years as a power system engineer or in a similar role; Engineer 3 requires at least 3 years as a power system engineer or in a similar role; Senior Engineer requires at least 5 years as a power system engineer or in a similar role within the electric utility industry.
Ability to perform electrical engineering analysis and technical support for power system operations.
Ability to perform and interpret steady-state power-flow analyses and system studies.
Ability to analyze complex engineering issues and resolve them creatively and effectively.
Ability to work independently and collaborate with teams, internal departments, and stakeholders.
For remote work, the employee must work from a Texas residence.
Ability to perform the essential functions proficiently, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Power-flow simulation experience with PowerWorld, PSSE, ProMOD, or TARA.
Experience with production cost modeling and/or congestion analysis.
Programming or scripting experience.
Electric utility industry experience for Engineer 2 and Engineer 3 roles.

Responsibilities

Perform power-flow simulations to evaluate Constraint Management Plans (CMPs) and Remedial Action Schemes (RASs) using tools such as PowerWorld, PSSE, and VSAT.
Perform regional power transfer analyses to identify potential wide-area cascading risks.
Develop and maintain ERCOT’s Black Start Plan, including resource selection and restoration planning.
Evaluate generator and transmission equipment performance against reliability requirements and forecast future requirements.
Propose and implement improvements to maintain electric system reliability, potentially including rule or requirement changes.
Provide electrical engineering analysis and technical support for electric power system operations.
Implement system modeling and develop tools and procedures to monitor and control the system.
Perform system studies, analyze simulated or actual operating results, develop solutions to current or future system issues, and report findings and recommendations.
Design and perform steady-state analyses using power-flow models such as PSSE, VSAT, or PowerWorld.
Provide operations-perspective input and analyses on market or protocol design issues.
Structure operations studies and sensitivity analyses to determine the need for CMPs and regional power transfer interfaces.
Serve as a technical subject matter expert for the department and make independent decisions, including on complex engineering issues.
Coordinate, provide presentations, and participate in stakeholder meetings with ERCOT personnel and Market Participants.
Build and maintain 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 user.
Maintain knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices.