Senior Engineer, Grid Transition

New York ISO•Rensselaer, NY

4d•$105,700 - $176,400•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Engineer, Grid Transition supports special studies evaluating the performance of equipment and power systems with significant penetration of intermittent generation and inverter-based resources (IBRs). The role supports teams across system and resource planning and system operations, works across a matrixed organization, and collaborates closely with the Principal, Grid Transition to identify solutions for changing resource-mix dynamics. The position requires a strong power systems background, including expertise in frequency response, inertia and fast-frequency-response controls, voltage regulation and controls, IBR control designs, and experience conducting electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies for equipment and IBR integration. Work may include sub-synchronous torsional interaction studies, grid stability studies in RMS and EMT domains, and advanced methods for identifying system resonances. The Senior Engineer works independently across multiple tasks with minimal direct guidance and oversees tasks assigned by management. The role is based onsite in Rensselaer, New York, several days per workweek, with remote work available on the remaining days. Onsite requirements may increase to meet business needs. Travel may be required for meetings, conferences, and training; work may also be required on nights, weekends, or holidays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Seven years of related experience in power-system planning for the Senior Engineer level, with mastery of topics relating to intermittent and/or inverter-based resources.
Proficiency in power-system simulation programs, from steady-state analysis through complex dynamic and transient modeling and simulation.
Good teamwork and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally across different business units.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents and standards; create presentations and reports; and present results to senior management.
Ability to identify high-priority tasks, justify prioritization, and work semi-independently with limited guidance.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents; respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints; write presentations and articles using prescribed techniques or style; and deliver persuasive presentations on complex topics to management, public groups, or boards.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form, and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to comprehend and apply advanced calculus, modern algebra, advanced statistical theory, differential and quadratic equations, and other advanced mathematical concepts and statistical methods.
Intermediate competency with Windows and MS Office applications, email, and internet programs.
Ability to apply logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems and work with formulas, scientific equations, graphs, and other nonverbal symbols.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 15 pounds, with reasonable accommodations as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Coursework in power-system operation and planning, inverter-based resources, statistical analysis, and optimization techniques, particularly linear-programming-based computer models.
Experience with transmission-planning programs for power flow, short circuit, and/or transient stability.
Working knowledge of power-system analysis software such as PSCAD, E-Tran, EMTP-RV, PSS/E, GE PSLF, TARA, ASPEN, and Python tools.
Knowledge of IBR equipment performance capabilities and limitations, weak-grid screening methods, and screening methods for sub- and super-synchronous oscillations.
Knowledge of power-system equipment and controls, particularly IBR controls such as wind, solar-PV, BESS, or VSC-HVDC converter controls; plant-level controllers; inertial or fast-frequency controls; and grid-forming controls.
Experience using APIs for study and simulation automation.
Knowledge of current IBR-related reliability standards.
Experience with PC-based engineering applications and computer simulation modeling.

Responsibilities

Perform dynamic simulations using PSSE and transient simulations using EMTP and PSCAD, including complex control-system modeling, discrete power-system network representation, transient-response evaluation, oscillatory-issue analysis, and examination of fault recovery and transient recovery voltage.
Assess the impact of inverter-based resources on grid dynamics and develop mitigation strategies with support from the Principal or Technical Specialist, Grid Transition.
Develop detailed engineering study reports, NYISO manuals, and other procedures.
Stay current with power-system planning industry activities and potential future changes, adapting NYISO planning processes, models, and system-analysis techniques as needed.
Use knowledge of NYISO systems, markets, operations, and processes to develop and improve complex models for transmission security and operations engineering, and to plan and simulate the future grid.
Support NYISO input into standards proposed by NYSRC, NPCC, and NERC.
Develop reports, presentations, summary results, and interpretations, and present or support them as needed.
Participate in working groups and task forces associated with reliability councils, including NERC, NPCC, and NYSRC.
Participate in and support industry working groups and task forces, including those associated with FERC, EPRI, ESIG, and IEEE.
Coordinate with NYISO departments, market participants, neighboring ISOs, and regional and inter-regional reliability groups.
Identify reliability and technical attributes needed for a transitioning grid and work across planning and operations to implement capabilities and tools to address gaps.
Review and support products developed by other team members, including models, simulation outputs, system analyses, conclusions, and communications.
Improve modeling and simulation methods and reporting tools.
Present study updates, results, and findings at NYISO stakeholder working-group meetings.
Develop novel technical methods for challenges involved in adapting the power system and power markets to renewable energy adoption.
Work independently on multiple tasks and oversee tasks assigned by management.