Transmission Planning Engineer/Consultant

AECOM•Columbus, OH

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a Transmission Planning Engineer / Consultant to support electric utilities, renewable developers, transmission owners, ISOs/RTOs, government agencies, and large energy users across North America. The role focuses on transmission planning, power system analysis, interconnection studies, grid integration, reliability assessments, and transmission expansion strategies. The successful candidate will help clients address challenges involving large-load integration, renewable energy integration, energy storage, data center growth, and grid modernization. Working in multidisciplinary teams, they will develop data-driven solutions to improve grid reliability, resilience, and long-term infrastructure planning and communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders. The position supports long-range transmission planning, integrated resource planning, infrastructure investment strategies, and projects involving large-load integration, grid modernization, and emerging energy technologies. It also includes preparing technical analyses and recommendations, improving study workflows, presenting results, collaborating across disciplines, and contributing to business development. AECOM offers comprehensive benefits that may vary depending on employment status. Newly hired employees must attend in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office. U.S. employment authorization sponsorship and relocation are not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Power Systems Engineering and 6 years of related experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
6 years of relevant transmission planning, power system analysis, utility engineering, or consulting experience.
Hands-on experience performing transmission power flow and contingency studies.
Experience developing, modifying, or working with transmission planning models.
Experience with PSS®E, PowerWorld, TARA, or comparable transmission planning software.
Understanding of transmission planning, reliability, and interconnection principles.
Strong analytical, technical-writing, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Power Systems Engineering.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
Advanced proficiency with PSS®E.
Experience performing dynamic stability studies.
Experience with generator or large-load interconnection studies.
Familiarity with NERC TPL requirements and ISO/RTO planning processes.
Experience with one or more U.S. regional transmission systems, including CAISO/WECC, ERCOT, MISO, PJM, SPP, NYISO, or ISO-NE.
Experience with Python or other scripting and automation tools.
Familiarity with inverter-based resource modeling, PSCAD/EMT analysis, production-cost modeling, or other advanced planning specialties.

Responsibilities

Perform transmission planning studies, including power flow, contingency, transfer capability, congestion, and interconnection analyses.
Develop and maintain power system planning models for transmission networks, generation, storage, and large-load customers.
Identify system constraints, reliability risks, and mitigation strategies to support reliable grid operation.
Evaluate transmission expansion and investment options to address load growth, electrification, renewable integration, and grid modernization needs.
Assess transmission impacts from evolving generation portfolios, large-load growth, data centers, and changing market conditions.
Analyze alternatives such as transmission upgrades, reactive support, grid-enhancing technologies, and non-transmission solutions.
Apply NERC, ISO/RTO, utility, and regulatory planning standards and criteria.
Support projects involving large-load integration, grid modernization, and emerging energy technologies.
Evaluate transmission and infrastructure needs associated with data centers, renewable generation, and other large-load developments.
Support long-range transmission planning, integrated resource planning, and infrastructure investment strategy initiatives.
Prepare technical studies, reports, presentations, business cases, and client recommendations.
Develop automated workflows to improve study quality and efficiency.
Present technical findings to clients and stakeholders and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
Support business development activities, including proposals, client engagement, and strategic growth initiatives.