Software Power Systems Engineer

Electric Power Engineers • Austin, TX

26d • Remote

About The Position

ENER-i is a cutting-edge software solution from Electric Power Engineers (EPE) helping utility clients plan for the rapidly evolving electric grid and achieve their planning and operational goals through innovative digitalization. Backed by the collective expertise of EPE, ENER-i brings decades of industry engineering experience to the world of cloud-based, enterprise computing software. ENER-i's goal is to create a shared, secure, curated data platform, providing engineers with the means for intelligent data aggregation, insightful engineering analytics engines, GIS, network connectivity models, machine learning & augmented intelligence. Our mission is to close the gap between planning and operations; transmission and distribution and merge the interests of the government, the public, and private industry.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a power systems focus, or a Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience.
• 3+ years (Engineer III) or 7+ years (Principal) of combined experience in distribution system analysis and software development; national laboratory, research, utility, and vendor experience all 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 (e.g., OpenDSS, CYME, Synergi, WindMil, or GridLAB-D), including its APIs or automation interfaces.
• Strong Python software engineering skills beyond scripting: packaging, typing, automated testing, Git, code review, and CI/CD.
• A track record of building tools that other people use: libraries, applications, or open-source projects with real users.
• Experience applying numerical methods and optimization (e.g., Pyomo, JuMP, Gurobi, HiGHS) to power systems problems.
• Experience working with large data sets (time-series, AMI, SCADA) using tools such as pandas/Polars, SQL, or Parquet.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, particularly with respect to explaining complex technical matters.
• Proven team player skills with ability to build and maintain internal and external relationships.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies (e.g., Scrum).

Nice To Haves

• OpenDSS experience is a plus.
• Proficiency in a compiled or high-performance language such as Rust, C++, Julia, or Java.
• Contributions to open-source power systems tools (e.g., OpenDSS/AltDSS, DiTTo, GridLAB-D, PowerModelsDistribution, pandapower).
• Experience with cloud-native development, containers, and distributed or high-performance computing (e.g., AWS, Docker, 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

• Work as a core member of the ENER-i software development team, owning the power systems engineering behind the platform's analysis modules from algorithm design through production code.
• Design, develop, test, and validate scalable engines and workflows for distribution system analysis.
• Engage with the ENER-i product, engineering, and client delivery teams for tasks such as distribution model conversion, validation, and onboarding (e.g., CYME, Synergi, WindMil, OpenDSS).
• Translate utility planning practices and criteria into technical specifications.
• Conduct technical design reviews and architecture decisions for analysis engines.
• Validate platform results against commercial tools and field data.
• 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.
• 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 (e.g., Rust, C++) where it matters.
• Build and maintain distribution data models and model converters that bring utility network models (CYME, Synergi, WindMil, OpenDSS, GIS) into a common, validated representation.
• Develop algorithms for automated mitigation, hosting capacity, DER valuation, and grid planning using optimization (LP/MILP), heuristics, and data-driven methods.
• Establish test automation, validation suites, and engineering benchmarks that keep platform results accurate and trustworthy.
• 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 new ENER-i modules and help shape the technical roadmap with product management.
• Mentor engineers and developers, contribute to code and design reviews, and raise the bar on engineering practices across the team.
• Represent EPE through publications, open-source contributions, and industry working groups where appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits including medical, dental, and vision with 100% premium coverage for you
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• MyShare Employee Ownership Program
• Work with industry leaders
• 401K, up to a 4% match (100% vested from day 1)

What This Job Offers

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