Principal, Grid Interconnection

Creates and communicates a vision that anticipates, identifies, and explains challenges and opportunities in ERCOT’s grid interconnection, including Large Load interconnection. Develops approaches, processes, and engineering solutions that increase ERCOT’s capabilities in evaluating system performance, integrating emerging technologies, and ensuring system reliability. Exerts enterprise-wide technical influence through advanced problem-solving and subject matter expertise.

JOB DUTIES

• Recognized as a subject matter expert with advanced technical skills and competencies; frequently contributes to the development of new theories and methods.
• Employs highly developed problem-resolution skills using professional concepts and ERCOT objectives to resolve complex issues.
• Exercises significant latitude in determining objectives, methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for assignments.
• Advises and leads work of lower-level engineers and provides program/project leadership within matrixed teams.
• Interacts with management and senior customers on matters requiring coordination across organizational boundaries.
• Develops methodologies, criteria, and modeling expectations for evaluating Generation Resource and Large Load interconnections, including modeling requirements for synchronous machines, inverter-based resources, and large industrial loads.
• Leads the technical development of new processes to enable the interconnection of large flexible loads and large loads co-located with new generation.

• Develops and proposes new rules, guidelines, study practices, and modeling requirements for emerging technologies—including battery energy storage systems, hybrid resources, distributed generation, and large flexible loads—and supports Protocol and Guide Revision Requests through the ERCOT stakeholder process.
• Represents ERCOT in external technical forums, conferences, NERC groups, IEEE working groups, and ISO/RTO collaboration efforts by providing expertise on interconnection practices, system performance, stability criteria, and emerging technology impacts.
• Publishes conceptual papers, study methodology documents, and technical reports that advance industry understanding of interconnection studies, system analysis techniques, and modeling of emerging technologies.
• Mentors ERCOT engineers in advanced interconnection analysis techniques and provides coaching on interpretation of complex technical results and the development of high-quality engineering reports.
• Provides technical guidance to leadership on complex interconnection and system analysis issues, including evaluation of reliability risks, operational impacts, and long-term implications of new technologies or system trends.
• Provides technical guidance to leadership on the uses of AI for improving Interconnection processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Requires minimum 10 years of job-related experience in Wholesale-Electric Systems Operations, Transmission Planning, System Operations, Grid Operations, Interconnection Studies, or Power System Modeling required
• Prior experience supervising or leading a team or project required
• Experience performing interconnection evaluation event analysis, and dynamic models is preferred

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience with the ERCOT stakeholder process
• Experience with stability analysis
• Experience presenting at industry conferences
• Participation in industry groups such as NERC, IEEE, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrate rigorous intellectual ability to articulate complex technical concepts and challenge conventional thinking in their area of expertise and across organizational lines

• Demonstrate ability to work independently, participate on a team, lead a team, or mentor ERCOT staff with responsibilities that require the highest levels of technical expertise, initiative and resourcefulness

• Demonstrate highly advanced achievement in their field of expertise by developing approaches, processes and solutions that allow ERCOT to maximize its effectiveness or achieve strategic or operational goals

• Make a material contribution to expansion of ERCOT’s capabilities and innovation in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics

• Interacts with management and senior staff on matters requiring coordination across organizational lines.  May provide input into organization policy within area of their expertise.

• Demonstrate ability to lead by influence and build consensus amongst staff in controversial work matters

• Be recognized by their co-workers, and professional peers as a regional or industry-wide authority in their area of expertise, as evidenced by any of the following:

1. participating in regional or national advisory boards, panels or committees in their field of expertise

2. delivering presentations and addresses pertaining to their area of expertise at industry or professional events

3. teaching certificate-level or college-level courses pertaining to their area of expertise

4. publishing original works of authorship pertaining to their field of expertise in reputable professional or academic publications or journals

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical Engineering or related field (Required)
• Master’s Degree: Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related field (Preferred)
• or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required

CERTIFICATION

• PE – Professional Engineer (Preferred)

WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX:

• Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at a minimum of 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management
• Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence.  
• Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.  It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.  This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT.  Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-Hybrid, #LI-MH1

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range: