Software Power Systems Engineer

Electric Power Engineers • Austin, TX

23d • Remote

About The Position

The Software Power Systems Engineer is a core member of the ENER-i software development team, responsible for power systems engineering behind the platform’s analysis modules, from algorithm design through production code. The role designs, develops, tests, and validates scalable engines and workflows for distribution system analysis, including unbalanced quasi-static time-series power flow, hosting capacity and DER interconnection screening, automated thermal and voltage violation mitigation, DER valuation and non-wires alternatives, flexible interconnection, reliability and resiliency analyses, DERMS operational planning, and long-term capacity and investment planning.

The engineer works with ENER-i product, engineering, and client delivery teams on distribution model conversion, validation, and onboarding; translating utility planning practices into technical specifications; design reviews and architecture decisions; validating results against commercial tools and field data; benchmarking and scale testing; client workshops, demonstrations, and training; and distribution planning studies as needed. The role also contributes to platform architecture, technical direction, product roadmap development, mentoring, and engineering practices. Role level—Engineer III, Senior, Principal, or Senior Principal—depends on the candidate’s experience. Principal-level engineers are expected to set technical direction for power-flow analysis architecture and lead cross-team initiatives.

Electric Power Engineers (EPE) provides consulting expertise and energy intelligence software for power and energy clients. ENER-i is a cloud-based software solution intended to support utility planning and operations through a shared, secure data platform and engineering analytics. The position is open to remote work for highly qualified candidates and may require occasional travel of 10% or less.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a power systems focus, or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of combined distribution system analysis and software development experience for Engineer III, or at least 7 years for Principal; national laboratory, research, utility, and vendor experience count.
• Expert understanding of three-phase, unbalanced distribution systems, power-flow formulations, and distribution planning practices.
• Hands-on experience with at least one distribution modeling tool, such as OpenDSS, CYME, Synergi, WindMil, or GridLAB-D, including its APIs or automation interfaces.
• Strong Python software engineering skills beyond scripting, including packaging, typing, automated testing, Git, code review, and CI/CD.
• Track record of building tools used by others, such as libraries, applications, or open-source projects with real users.
• Experience applying numerical methods and optimization, such as Pyomo, JuMP, Gurobi, or HiGHS, to power systems problems.
• Experience working with large datasets, including time series, AMI, or SCADA, using tools such as pandas/Polars, SQL, or Parquet.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly explaining complex technical matters.
• Ability to work as a team player and build and maintain internal and external relationships.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies such as Scrum.

Nice To Haves

• OpenDSS experience.
• Proficiency in a compiled or high-performance language such as Rust, C++, Julia, or Java.
• Contributions to open-source power systems tools such as OpenDSS/AltDSS, DiTTo, GridLAB-D, PowerModelsDistribution, or pandapower.
• Experience with cloud-native development, containers, and distributed or high-performance computing, such as AWS, Docker, or Kubernetes.
• Experience with DER integration topics such as hosting capacity, IEEE 1547, DERMS, flexible interconnection, non-wires alternatives, and electrification load forecasting.
• Breadth across transmission, controls, or T&D co-simulation.
• Familiarity with GIS tools, preferably Esri, and utility network data models.
• Experience leveraging machine learning and AI tools responsibly to improve engineering quality and productivity.
• Publications or participation in IEEE PES or similar industry working groups.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement production-grade Python libraries and services for distribution analysis, power-flow orchestration, and optimization within the ENER-i platform.
• Scale simulations across thousands of feeders and full-year time series through parallelization, cloud batch processing, and performance tuning, including compiled languages such as Rust or C++ where appropriate.
• Build and maintain distribution data models and converters for utility network models, including CYME, Synergi, WindMil, OpenDSS, and GIS, into a common validated representation.
• Develop algorithms for automated mitigation, hosting capacity, DER valuation, and grid planning using optimization, heuristics, and data-driven methods.
• Establish test automation, validation suites, and engineering benchmarks to maintain accurate and trustworthy platform results.
• Serve as a distribution subject matter expert to developers, product owners, and product managers; review requirements and user stories for engineering correctness.
• Propose and prototype ENER-i modules and help shape the technical roadmap with product management.
• Mentor engineers and developers, contribute to code and design reviews, and improve engineering practices across the team.
• Represent EPE through publications, open-source contributions, and industry working groups where appropriate.
• Convert, validate, and onboard distribution models; translate utility planning practices and criteria into technical specifications; participate in technical design reviews and architecture decisions.
• Validate platform results against commercial tools and field data, and perform performance benchmarking and scale testing on utility-sized models.
• Conduct client technical workshops, demonstrations, and user training.
• Perform and deliver ENER-i-based distribution planning studies when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% premium coverage for the employee.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays.
• MyShare Employee Ownership Program.
• 401(k) with up to a 4% match, 100% vested from day one.

What This Job Offers

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