Internship Power Grid Engineering Jobs in California

Company Description

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.

As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.

The California ISO's function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company's planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently-managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own-making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

The California ISO is committed to the health, safety and work/life integration of its employees and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position would be eligible to participate in a hybrid work capacity.

Relocation assistance is available.

Job Description

Under the close supervision of the Sr. Manager, develops the skills, knowledge and ability to maintain the performance, integrity, security and continuous improvement of the Energy Management System (EMS), including PI Historian and the Synchro-Phasor. Learns to perform display work in support of modeling the Power System Market and Reliability Models necessary to operate the California ISO controlled power grid.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Learns and assists with proactive enhancements, process improvements and issue remediation for Real Time Power System Applications, PI and Synchro-Phasor.
   
• Learns and participates in proactive enhancements, process improvements, issue remediation and execution of the Full Network Model build and deployment processes.
   
• Learns to maximize EMS uptime and mitigate system failures. Assists and supports troubleshooting technical problems that result from data communications, equipment, or systems failures. Learns to provide 24x7 technical support to ISO Real-Time Operations and other departments on EMS, PI & Synchro-Phasor. Processes PI Vision changes, synchronizes changes among the different environments, processes requests to create or modify PI performance equations, assists in managing the AF database, with PI host application updates, admin operations, and updating associated procedures. Assists in diagnosing and resolving issues related to geospatial and data providers. Participates in the development and implementation of new functionality in related applications.

Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BS) in Electrical Engineering required. Power Systems focus preferred.

Amount of Experience:

This is an entry-level position, no experience required.

Type of Experience:

Coursework in power systems modeling using software such as PSS\E or PSFL, EMS applications, or contingency/load flow analysis applications is helpful. Knowledge of Energy Management System operations and principles, California power generation and transmission networks and structure, and network modeling desired. 

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrates the ability to work effectively in a team environment as a facilitator and team member.  Ability to provide practical and feasible solutions to problems, keeping multiple conflicting considerations into account. Strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required. Strong analytical skills are required, including the ability to effectively communicate complex technical materials and concepts in a non-technical manner.  Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment, and work independently. Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority.

Additional Information

The pay range for our Associate EMS Power Technology Engineer position is $40.49 - $56.68 per hour.