Senior Engineer, System Planning (Hybrid Schedule)

Eversource Energy•Westwood, MA

18h•$129,450 - $143,830•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Engineer, System Planning for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), Non-Wires Alternatives (NWAs), and Flexible Interconnection Strategy supports the development and implementation of advanced distribution planning solutions across Eversource’s electric system. Reporting to the Manager of Integrated Energy Planning (IEP), the role combines traditional distribution planning analysis with emerging grid technologies, customer-side resources, and advanced operational strategies. The engineer works with System Planning, Grid Modernization, Operations, DER Integration, Regulatory, and other internal stakeholders to turn identified system needs into actionable alternatives. The position evaluates NWAs for major capital projects that will be filed with siting boards in three jurisdictions. This includes preparing filing petitions, responding to state-regulator information requests, and serving as a Company witness in proceedings. The engineer also helps the Director of IEP develop and update NWA standards, documentation, tools, and processes. The role supports the Company’s VPP efforts by identifying capital projects that may be deferred through VPP development and coordinating with IEP leadership and customer DER and renewable-program leaders. It also serves as a central System Planning coordinator for Flexible Interconnection policies, procedures, and regulatory filings. The position requires availability for emergency restoration assignments and travel between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Five to eight years of experience in electric distribution planning, transmission/distribution engineering, DER integration, or power-system analysis.
Strong understanding of distribution power flow, contingency analysis, voltage, thermal capacity, protection, reliability, and system operating constraints.
Experience with distribution planning and power-system modeling software.
Familiarity with DER technologies, including solar PV, battery storage, EV charging, demand response, and load-management technologies.
Experience analyzing large system datasets and translating analytical results into engineering recommendations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including developing technical documentation and presenting recommendations to senior management and regulatory stakeholders.
Ability to work cross-functionally.
Availability for emergency restoration assignments as required and travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.
Applicants requiring immigration-related sponsorship to start employment with Eversource will not be considered.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience with or knowledge of NWA, VPP, and Flexible Interconnection strategies and solutions.

Responsibilities

Screen major distribution-system needs and capital projects for potential NWA opportunities.
Perform technical evaluations of NWA solutions, including energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, battery storage, managed EV charging, and other DER solutions.
Determine the magnitude, duration, timing, location, and reliability characteristics of system needs that NWAs must address.
Develop technical performance requirements for NWA solicitations and assess proposed solutions against traditional infrastructure alternatives.
Support cost, risk, reliability, implementation-timeline, and operational assessments of NWA portfolios.
Lead alternative evaluations for petition filings and represent the Company as a key technical witness.
Identify geographic areas where aggregated customer DERs could provide distribution-system value.
Analyze system needs and determine the type, quantity, location, availability, and duration of DER flexibility required.
Work with Energy Efficiency and other teams to identify potential VPP resources, including batteries, EVs, thermostatically controlled loads, solar-plus-storage, and other dispatchable resources.
Support development of VPP pilots and programs that test distribution-level grid services and operational use cases.
Coordinate Flexible Interconnection efforts across three jurisdictions, supporting respective managers and lead engineers.
Provide engineering support for Flexible Interconnection strategies, evaluate their potential application to NTA/NWA and VPP solutions, and support customer-facing teams in advocating for these solutions with external contacts as appropriate.
Support development and refinement of Flexible Interconnection planning criteria, methodologies, and technical standards.
Serve as a technical subject-matter expert on emerging distribution planning solutions.
Lead or support multidisciplinary teams across Planning, Operations, Engineering, IT/OT, Grid Modernization, Regulatory, Customer Programs, and DER organizations.
Communicate engineering analyses to technical and non-technical audiences.
Support regulatory proceedings, stakeholder processes, and responses to information requests concerning NWAs, Flexible Interconnection, VPPs, and advanced system planning.
Monitor industry developments and incorporate relevant utility practices, standards, technologies, and analytical approaches.
Assist the Director of IEP in developing and updating NWA standards, documentation, tools, and processes.
Proactively identify capital projects that may be suitable for long-term deferral through VPP development.
Act as a central System Planning coordinator for Flexible Interconnection policies, procedures, and related regulatory filings.
Be available for emergency restoration assignments and travel between MA, CT, and NH as necessary.