Electrical Engineer, Operations Planning

Position Overview:

Under the general direction of the Manager of Operations Planning, the Operations Planning Engineer utilizes advanced network applications, power engineering tools and best practices in support of the Reliability Coordinator’s reliability function. The Operations Planning engineer requires expertise in power systems operations planning and excellent analytical, communication, and team interaction skills to work within the Reliability Coordination (RC) function. In addition, the Operations Planning engineer will serve as a resource and contact for operational and engineering entities within the Western Interconnection. Position may occasionally require engineering support outside of normal business hours. 

We offer our employees opportunities for career development and training, providing new and valuable skills and experience. We are located in two of the country’s most beautiful locations: Vancouver, Washington and Loveland, Colorado, both of which provide easy access to urban attractions and outdoor adventures.

Major Duties

• Must be able to perform high quality Operational Planning studies, which includes power flow, contingency analysis, and voltage stability analysis.
• Maintain the contingency definition list, contribute and enhance on-going data quality efforts and report out on Operations Planning metrics.
• Review major planned transmission and generation outages and perform outage studies in coordination with impacted Transmission Operators and Balancing Authorities.
• Work with Balancing Authority and Transmission Operator engineers to review Operational Planning studies, to identify potential SOL/IROL conditions, and to alter or develop operating plans as necessary to ensure reliable near-term operations.
• Identify model or measurement data errors and document them in the Peak RC issue tracking system. Work with the modeling team to review, correct, and validate the problem resolutions.
• Continually evaluate and enhance tools, processes, methods, and techniques employed by the Operations Planning team in an effort to constantly improve the quality of Peak’s study results and to continuously increase the level of support provided to Peak’s RC System Operators.
• Collaborate with the engineering team to facilitate the enhancement of existing tools and the integration of new tools into the overall Operational Planning study process.
• Contribute to team initiatives by working on special projects as needed.
• Facilitate meetings, prepare and deliver presentations, and write reports or procedures. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Post baccalaureate electrical engineering or power engineering related technical field.
  

Experience/Skills

• 1-3 years of work experience in power system operations engineering, power system planning, or other large grid studies within the Bulk Electric System (BES). Internships and advanced degrees will be considered.
  
• Experienced with performing studies using powerflow applications such as PSSE, PSLF, PowerWorld, or EMS tools.
  
• Proficiency in standard office software applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
  
• Excellent business writing and communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver clear, concise presentations.
• Must be able to work effectively in a highly dynamic team environment and assist all groups as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Above minimum qualifications and the following:
  
• Advanced degree with emphasis on power systems engineering.
  
• Strong working knowledge of power flow, voltage stability analysis, and transient stability analysis tools.
  
• Proficiency with Alstom EMS advanced application systems, PowerWorld Simulator and OSI PI software.
  
• Experience in operations planning, large grid studies or similar area resulting in demonstrated ability to perform major duties.
  
• Experience in large grid models and modeling details.
  

 Salary and Benefits:

The salary will be competitive and commensurate with relevant experience as well as the responsibilities of the position. The position is eligible for a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement, 401(k) plan, and paid personal time. Our benefits package help employees balance professional and personal lives while encouraging ongoing growth and development.

Peak’s Mission

Peak Reliability assures the reliability of one of North America’s largest electrical grids in North America, including 14 western states, one Canadian province and the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico. As we adopt and pilot innovative new technology for the nation (the Western Interconnection Synchrophasor Program, or WISP), we are offering electrical engineering graduates and experienced utility system operators the chance to get in on the ground floor of this new technology. This cutting edge system allows us to identify and analyze system vulnerabilities in real time

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

All offers of employment made by Peak are contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation and a pre-employment drug screen (which must be completed within 48 hours of any conditional offer of employment).