Principal Research Engineer – Grid Modeling

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The Energy and Environment Directorate (EED) 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 (EI&BD), part of EED, 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. Within this division, the Power System Modeling Group (PSMG) develops advanced simulation, analysis, and optimization tools to understand and enhance grid performance across all levels, from the bulk energy system to the distribution grid. We are seeking a Principal Research Engineer with deep expertise in power system modeling, simulation, and resilience. This individual will provide technical leadership for R&D that bridges the transmission and distribution domains, driving innovation in grid modeling, analysis, and operational resilience.

Requirements

BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
PhD with 5+ year of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Proven expertise in both transmission and distribution systems, including their dynamic, operational, and planning aspects.
Demonstrated record of leading interdisciplinary R&D teams and managing complex technical projects.
Experience serving as PI or technical lead on federally funded research projects.
Deep understanding of grid dynamics, stability, and resilience modeling.
Experience integrating suites of tools in co-simulation environments, model exchanges, or analytic workflows such as HELICS, GridLAB-D, or equivalent tools.
Familiarity with distributed energy resources (DERs), transactive energy, or grid-edge technologies.
Knowledge of DOE programs (e.g., OE, CESER, EERE) and related sponsor engagement.
Proven record of securing competitive research funding and producing high-impact publications.
Leadership experience or active participation in IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) or related professional organizations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Lead and conduct innovative R&D in power system modeling, simulation, and resilience for both bulk and distribution systems.
Develop, validate, and apply multi-domain modeling frameworks (e.g., GridLAB-D, HELICS, DCAT, EGRASS, OpenDSS, or similar) for grid planning, analysis, and control.
Serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or Task Lead for Department of Energy (DOE), Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), and other sponsored projects advancing grid reliability and national energy abundance.
Build and guide multidisciplinary research teams, integrating expertise in modeling, data analytics, cybersecurity, and controls.
Mentor early- and mid-career researchers to cultivate technical excellence and leadership across the Power System Modeling Group.
Engage with external collaborators, including utilities, ISOs/RTOs, academia, and national laboratories, to shape the research agenda and accelerate technology transition.
Publish peer-reviewed research, present findings at technical conferences, and represent PNNL as a thought leader in power system modeling and resilience.

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

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