Job Description
Our Company The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; annually assesses seasonal and long‐term reliability; monitors the bulk power system through system awareness; and educates, trains, and certifies industry personnel. NERC’s area of responsibility spans the continental United States, Canada, and the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico. NERC is the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) for North America, subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and provincial authorities in Canada. NERC’s jurisdiction includes users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system, which serves nearly 400 million people. Our Mission The vision for the ERO Enterprise, which is comprised of NERC and the six Regional Entities, is a highly reliable and secure North American bulk power system. Our mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. Your Impact The Engineering and Security Integration team at NERC is expanding its capabilities and expertise in the area of transmission level modeling, studies, and specialized studies. This Engineer role provides technical support and leadership in the area of reflecting distribution-connected generation and distribution-connected Inverter Based Resources (IBRs) to the BPS in support of critical reliability initiatives of the ERO Enterprise. The role will also work cross-departmentally and across the ERO Enterprise on various engineering challenges facing the electricity sector. The role will be responsible for supporting event analysis of new grid technologies, developing industry recommended practices and guidance, studying and assessing emerging risk issues, and supporting senior leaders in the development of strategic initiatives to tackle grid transformation issues. This position will work with industry stakeholders and across the ERO Enterprise in a collaborative manner to drive positive impact related to the reliable, resilient, and secure BPS This includes all aspects of planning, designing, and operating the BPS under rapid change in its resource mix. This position reports to the Manager of Engineering and Security Integration and final title is dependent on relevant expertise up to Senior Engineer. Your Role Coordinate and lead technical activities for the System Planning Impacts of Distributed Energy Resources Working Group and other similar NERC industry stakeholder groups. Support NERC’s risk mitigation strategy related to the reliable and resilient integration and operation of a BPS with growing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Engage collaboratively with industry stakeholders to support proactive risk mitigation of DERs and other emerging technologies or changes to the distribution system pertinent for BPS reliability. Support ERO Enterprise initiatives focused on risk mitigation of IBRs, DERs, and computational loads. Work collaboratively with the ERO Enterprise Event Analysis teams to support the analysis of System Disturbances; develop disturbance reports documenting key findings and recommendations, as required. Analyze DER modeling and study practices and provide industry with recommendations to address systemic modeling and study issues. Conduct, lead, or support simulations of IBRs, DERs, or computational loads, focusing on BPS wide-area reliability issues in the near- and long-term horizon. Support key stakeholders and industry activities related to DER activities; engage in industry forums and other industry-leading initiatives to help ensure reliability aspects are addressed proactively. Engage with equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, consultants, national laboratories, academia, research institutes, and other industry stakeholder groups in an effective and efficient manner that provides a safe, inclusive, and diverse environment. Prepare engineering analysis, studies, and assessments on BPS reliability issues and develop reports, guidelines, or other technical documents to support NERC initiatives. Work with industry experts to understand the engineering impacts of emerging technologies and work with security professionals to support the reliable and secure integration of these technologies. Other duties, as assigned. Qualifications The successful candidate will have at a minimum: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university. 3-5 years of relevant utility expertise in transmission planning [1] or operation departments. (* Final level will be determined through the interview and evaluation process) Understanding of DER technology including IBRs such as wind, solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage, hybrid power plants, HVDC systems, and FACTS devices or synchronous DERs. Experience with modeling DERs for BPS planning or operations studies, particularly with understanding of dynamic modeling. Experience conducting reliability studies to determine BPS performance with increasing IBR or DER penetration levels. Conducting root cause analysis of performance issues and developing mitigating actions to address those reliability issues. Understanding of power system fundamentals such as frequency control, balancing, ramping, voltage control, stability, inverter controls, and operation of the BPS. Understanding of NERC Reliability Standards, particularly related to modeling, operations, and DERs. General knowledge of transmission planning, power system protection and control, power plant configuration and technologies, and grid operations. General understanding of emerging technologies facing the electricity sector, and willingness to work collaboratively with industry security professionals to integrate security into inverter-based resource facilities. Willingness to think “outside of the box” and work internally and externally with a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives to develop novel and innovative ideas on difficult topics. Ability to lead stakeholder groups in an effective, efficient, and inclusive manner. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare and publish technical reports and other documents on technical engineering topics. [1] Consideration can be made for distribution level experience in these areas. Preferred candidates will also have: 5 or more years of relevant utility expertise in transmission planning or operation departments. (* Final level will be determined through the interview and evaluation process) Deep understanding and strong expertise in the areas of inverter technology, performance, and grid issues with growing levels of IBRs. Deep understanding and strong expertise in the areas of inverter technology, performance, and grid issues with growing levels of DERs. Detailed understanding and technical expertise of DER models and studies. Detailed understanding and technical expertise of transmission load modeling. Experience developing risk mitigation strategies to improve the performance of the System in prevalence of high DERs. Experience leading teams of industry experts in the area of generation integration, performance, modeling, or studies. Experience and ability to tackle major industry-wide challenges and proactively develop initiatives and strategies to address those challenges collectively. Experience coordinating, managing, or leading large teams of industry experts with diverse and conflicting opinions in a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment. Experience and detailed understanding of the ERO Enterprise processes, particularly related to NERC stakeholder groups, the NERC Standards Process, and other related activities. Master’s degree or higher education in power system engineering with specialization in the areas of transmission planning or protection. Other A background check will be conducted prior to employment. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. This position has been classified as exempt. The position may be based remotely but must be able to travel to NERC offices or meeting locations if needed. Reimbursement of travel expenses will be in accordance with the company’s travel and expense reimbursement policies. Travel is necessary several times a year. Our Culture Declarations Everyone at NERC is a leader. We are accountable personally and organizationally to deliver on commitments. We develop ourselves and people in the organization to ensure that NERC realizes its strategic objectives. We are resilient and adaptable to the challenges and needs of the business and our team. We exude a growth mindset and empower teams to take risks. We build collaborative relationships within NERC, the ERO, and the stakeholders of NERC. We exemplify NERC cultural behaviors: Reward high-quality, creative, and innovative work Attract, engage, and retain top talent Value and respect diverse perspectives Provide a safe, inclusive, and collaborative work environment Form strong relationships within the company, and with the ERO Enterprise We demonstrate curiosity in a wide variety of areas and are open to exploring new situations, knowledge, and opportunities for growth and development. We demonstrate an anticipatory mindset, preventing problems and building contingencies where appropriate. We are champions for diversity and inclusion, seeking out and values diverse perspectives. We value well-being, prioritizing collaboration, engagement, and connection among our team.