Freelance Power System Study Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Dominion Energy is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy that powers our customers every day. If you want to work for a purpose-driven company that values safety and collaboration, we’re looking for you. You won’t just find a job here; you’ll find your career.

We offer a hybrid 3-2 work schedule (three days in the office, two days of teleworking) to accommodate the need for flexibility.

Military service members and veterans with ranks from E5-E9, W1-CW5, or O3-O6, plus appropriate equivalent combination of education and years of experience as outlined below will be considered for this opportunity.

Dominion Energy (DE) is seeking a Senior or Staff Engineer to be a part of the Electric Transmission (ET) Planning & Strategic Initiatives team. Because of the unique data center load growth, aggressive clean energy goals, and commitment to the safety and reliability of the bulk electric system, DE must explore unconventional solutions to meet our customer’s needs. This is a team dedicated to evaluating new technologies and methodologies that could be used to support the ET Planning team as they solve reliability issues identified in the PJM Regional Transmission Expansion Planning (RTEP) Process.

The candidates will be part of a team that provides technical expertise and support for Dominion Energy Electric Transmission Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) integration, FACTS devices (such as STATCOMs and SVCs), and HVDC into the grid. The candidate must have the knowledge and understanding of Grid-Forming (GFM) and Grid-Following (GFL) inverter controls. ET Special Studies provides domain expertise and engineering root cause analysis for operational challenges across Dominion Energy and the electric grid. As novel challenges arise, Special Studies cultivates and develop the necessary knowledge base and modeling, simulation, and other engineering capabilities to address them. Candidates should have a strong electrical engineering background with power electronics concentration and possess strong knowledge of engineering principles and practices, preferably in electric power systems. A working knowledge of analysis software packages such as PSCAD, RSCAD, PSS\E, Python, MATLAB, etc., is also preferred.

Additionally, our team is geared towards performing studies that may fall outside of the normal planning processes including but not limited to fault-induced delayed voltage recovery studies, how to integrate probabilistic techniques to account for multiple types of planning scenarios, how to account for intermittent generation in planning cases, dynamic generator model validation, development of dynamic data center load models, evaluating HVDC for the DE footprint, looking at whether gas insulated lines make sense anywhere on our system, understanding the pros and cons of synchronous condensers, FACTs devices, and static reactive devices, how can and should batteries be justified through transmission projects, among other types of studies.

Candidates should have a strong electrical engineering background and possess strong knowledge of engineering principles and practices.

Job activities may include:

• Power system modeling and analysis
• Load flow, dynamic, and small signal studies
• Transient and electromagnetic simulations
• Real-time digital simulations
• Support the deployment of grid-forming inverter technologies to support the integration of utility-scale solar and energy storage systems.
• Collaborate with inverter OEMs to develop and pilot advanced control algorithms for GFL and GFM inverters.
• Investigate IBRs GFL and GFM controls to ensure grid stability, system strength, and reliability.
• Develop models and conduct simulations using tools like RSCAD, PSCAD, etc. to analyze system dynamics, power quality, and grid stability.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams within Dominion Energy and external to integrate GFM renewable energy projects into Dominion Energy grid.
• Investigate, assess, and apply the latest advancements in grid-forming technology, and power system stability.
• Support in writing technical papers or reports, engineering specifications, and contribute to DOE proposals.
• Analysis and planning for significant increase in renewable energy on transmission and distribution systems, such as solar and wind energy.
• Support the investigation of fault events due to IBR integration and interaction.
• Work with inverter manufacturers to develop RTDS GTSOC model interfaced with the RTDS.
• Work closely with vendors or OEM on grid-forming inverter control algorithms.
• Stay informed on industry trends topics on grid-forming technologies, IEEE 2800, interconnection standards, and industry best practices.
• Support design, engineering, and evaluation of initiatives related to advanced power electronics technologies such as FACTS and HVDC.
• Power system network model validation, merging, and management.
• Supporting Dominion field organizations in response to equipment emergencies, material, design, and any other issues identified by the field including, but not limited to, root cause analysis of events and improvement plans.
• Conducting research, development, and demonstration of leading-edge tools, technologies, and applications to maintain Dominion's leadership position in the industry.
• Assisting in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of computer-based tools for Dominion Energy’s engineering groups.
• Data mining and data analytics.

One of the most interesting parts of working a utility that owns transmission, distribution, and generation assets is the opportunity to interact with the power system in such a large variety of ways. Even though this position is primarily an office job, you will have the ability to visit the field to see transmission and distribution substation equipment, the wreck-and-rebuild of transmission lines structures and the pulling of new conductor, tours of gas-insulated substations, and power generation facilities among other opportunities. We have a program for engineers to take field trips to factories of companies with which we do business to create a richer understanding of the equipment.

The knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience that are required for entry into this job include the following:

• Sr Engineer: 5+ years directly related experience
• Staff Engineer: 8+ years directly related experience (Note: A partial year of related work experience of 6 months or greater will be considered one year towards the qualifications)

General understanding of AC/DC fundamentals, and including an understanding of three-phase power systems, the power grid, and the electric transmission system

• A strong understanding of power system modeling
• General understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment
• Knowledge in using specialized power engineering tools, such as PSS/E, ASPEN, PSCAD, RSCAD and RTDS, Powerworld, DSATools, PowerGem’s TARA, MATLAB, MAXWELL 3D, and SYNERGI.
• Must possess good communication skills, written and oral
• Must be dedicated to continuous improvement and identifying best practice opportunities.
• Must be able to work well independently as well as in team environment.
• Must be able to meet NERC certifications.

Required Degree (equivalency not accepted in lieu of required degree):

Bachelor’s in Engineering

Must have an anticipated graduation date of fall 2026 or earlier

Required Engineering Criteria:

For placement of a candidate in the Engineer job series, one of following criteria must be met:

• Possess a 4-year engineering degree from an ABET accredited engineering program based on the year that the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
• Possess a 4-year engineering degree from an institution outside of the U.S. which is accredited through the country's own engineering accrediting body under the Washington Accord as a full signatory, and is a degree that was recognized by the country's accrediting body on or after the date that full signatory status was achieved, or
• Possess a 4-year engineering degree from a non-ABET accredited program and a post-graduate engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same engineering discipline is ABET accredited based on the year the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
• Possess a 4-year degree in Physics, Chemistry or Math and a post-graduate engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same engineering discipline is ABET accredited based on the year the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
• Holds or has previously held a valid U.S. Professional Engineer license.

Note: Dominion Energy minimum experience and education requirements may exceed stated ANSI standards and candidates must meet the Dominion Energy minimum requirements.

For Nuclear employees, this ANSI standard must be met, all of which is met or exceeded in the Engineer series job summaries with the exception of the Nuclear Power experience requirement of at least 1 year:

ANSI/ANS-3.1-2014, Section 4.6.1 Education requirements: Baccalaureate or associate degree in engineering or related science. Minimum experience for the position: Related experience which shall include 2 years; Nuclear power plant experience to include 1 year.

Cold Up to 25%

Dust / Grease / Oil Up to 25%

Energized Wires Up to 25%

Fumes Up to 25%

Heat Up to 25%

Loud Noise Up to 25%

Outdoors Up to 25%

Pressurized Lines & Valves Up to 25%

Radiation Up to 25%

Travel Up to 25%

No Testing Required

Certain positions at Dominion Energy may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in Dominion Energy limiting its consideration of certain applicants.

Expected Hiring Base Salary Range:

The expected hiring base salary range is the range we anticipate hiring within for this position. The actual salary offered may vary based on factors such as the selected candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and work location. This is not intended to represent the full salary range for the position or limit future compensation growth.

At Dominion Energy, we offer excellent plans and programs for employees. Employees are rewarded with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package which includes: health, dental, and vision benefits with coverage for families and domestic partners, vacation, retirement plans including 401k contributions and matches, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, bonus eligibility, sick leave, and disability insurance.

Dominion Energy is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin and/or status as a protected veteran or individual with a disability.

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Dominion Energy is committed to helping address climate change. We have cut emissions sharply as we aim for Net Zero carbon and methane emissions by 2050. Learn more at sustainability.dominionenergy.com .