Power Systems Research Engineer

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Power Systems Research Engineer to work in our Power and Energy Systems Department within the Energy and Environment Science & Technology (EES&T) Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory. This will be a senior or staff level position based on experience. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Energy Systems Laboratory in Idaho Falls with every other Friday off. In this role you will participate in ideation, planning, coordination, and implementation of power systems projects. Experience in power systems dynamic and transient modeling and simulation, power systems machine learning applications, protection, and stability analysis is required. Experience with power system testing using digital real-time simulation environments and using power and/or controller hardware-in-the-loop is a plus. Electric grid operations experience, human factors for control rooms and/or high-, medium- and low-voltage direct current experience are also pluses.

Requirements

• Experience in power systems dynamic and transient modeling and simulation, power systems machine learning applications, protection, and stability analysis is required.
• Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution and 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree/PhD in engineering or directly related field and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level 4: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or directly related field from an ABET-accredited institution and 9 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree in engineering or directly related field and 6 years of relevant experience; or PhD in engineering or directly related field and 4 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with power system testing using digital real-time simulation environments and using power and/or controller hardware-in-the-loop is a plus.
• Electric grid operations experience, human factors for control rooms and/or high-, medium- and low-voltage direct current experience are also pluses.
• Electric power systems engineering experience in transmission, distribution, protection, controls, planning, operations, stability, or grid modernization.
• Experience testing or validating power system hardware, software, controls, models, algorithms, or analytical tools.
• Experience applying IEEE, CIGRE, NERC, IEC, ANSI, NEMA, or other utility standards and technical guidance.
• Experience with digital real-time simulation, controller hardware-in-the-loop, or power hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience with utility operations, protection coordination, interconnection, distributed energy resources, inverter-based resources, power quality, resilience, or advanced grid technologies.
• Experience participating in standards committees, technical working groups, or industry forums.
• Ability to translate research concepts into practical, validated, utility-relevant engineering solutions

Responsibilities

• Lead and support power systems research projects involving emerging hardware, software, controls, models, and analytical tools.
• Develop and execute test plans, validation methods, performance metrics, and technical approaches for pre-commercial power system technologies.
• Apply electric utility standards, guides, and recommended practices, including IEEE and CIGRE guidance, to project planning, testing, validation, and reporting.
• Perform power system modeling and simulation, including dynamic, transient, protection, control, and stability studies.
• Use laboratory, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop environments to evaluate advanced power system technologies.
• Collaborate with utilities, vendors, government agencies, universities, standards organizations, and industry partners.
• Prepare technical reports, validation reports, publications, proposals, presentations, and sponsor deliverables.
• Support proposal development and business development for new research opportunities.
• Contribute to standards, working groups, technical committees, and industry forums as appropriate.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical direction to project teams.

Benefits

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336).
• At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior