Plant Optimization Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Join us to transform today's energy challenges into sustainable solutions for tomorrow and make a difference for our planet and future generations.

Boralex has been providing renewable and affordable energy for over 30 years. The Group, composed of more than 800 employees, operates renewable assets with an installed capacity of over 3 GW and is developing a project portfolio of 6.8 GW in wind, solar, and energy storage.

The Expertise department plays a key role in bringing strategic knowledge and innovative solutions to our company. It guarantees a high level of know-how , supports decision-making and supports teams in optimizing their practices.

• Promote and actively reinforce a strong electrical safety culture, ensuring strict adherence to LOTO procedures, High Voltage work rules, energized work policies, and North American switching and tagging practices.
• Support and review energization plans, switching procedures, and startup sequences for new or modified electrical equipment.
• Provide technical input related to arc flash mitigation, electrical risk assessments, and safe work practices.
• Ensure compliance with NERC, ERCOT, SPP, OSHA, and local and state regulations.
• Lead or actively participate in incident investigations, root cause analysis (RCA), and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions following electrical events or near misses.
• Lead technical troubleshooting for major electrical failures impacting plant availability or grid compliance.
• Analyze failures of transformers, breakers, generators and protection relays and auxiliary systems.
• Develop and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance strategies aligned with asset criticality and operational risk.
• Support condition-based monitoring (DGA, thermography, relay diagnostics)
• Lead or technically support O&M capital projects, including equipment replacements, substation upgrades, protection system updates, and plant optimization initiatives.
• Review and validate electrical engineering deliverables from OEMs, EPCs, and engineering consultants to ensure alignment with Boralex standards and operational requirements.
• Support commissioning and re-commissioning activities, including site acceptance testing, energization, and post-project performance verification.
• Contribute to lifecycle planning and capital prioritization for aging or high-risk electrical assets.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, technology adoption, and standardization of electrical O&M practices across the fleet.
• Capture and share lessons learned from incidents, outages, and major projects to improve fleet-wide reliability.
• Mentor and support junior engineers and field technicians, strengthening onsite technical autonomy and decision-making capabilities.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of engineering standards, guidelines, and best practices.

• 7–10+ years of experience in power systems, substations, and utility‑scale generation assets (wind, solar, BESS, Hydro or thermal)
• Experience in an IPP, utility, ISO/RTO, or large industrial power environment.
• Strong knowledge of high-voltage substations, transformers, breakers, generators, protection and control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electrical issues affecting plant availability and grid compliance.
• Proven capability to review, challenge, and validate engineering studies and technical documentation (protection settings, coordination studies, arc flash, grounding, etc.).
• Solid analytical skills to support failure analysis and performance optimization.
• Good knowledge of ERCOT/SPP operating rules, interconnection requirements, and grid compliance obligations.
• Familiarity with applicable NERC standards (PRC, FAC, MOD).
• Experience supporting compliance, grid event, disturbance analysis, misoperations, and post‑event reporting.
• Experience leading or contributing to root cause analysis (RCA) for electrical failures and reliability events.
• Understanding of asset reliability principles, condition‑based maintenance, and lifecycle risk management.
• Familiarity with ETAP, EasyPower or equivalent.
• Experience with relay software (SEL, GE, Siemens or similar).
• Working knowledge of SCADA systems and substation automation, including IEC 61850 concepts and architectures.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical issues to operations teams, management, and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a matrix organization, balancing field priorities, corporate standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Capacity to influence without authority and act as a trusted technical partner for operations.
• Willingness to mentor engineers and technicians and contribute to team capability development.
• Valid driver’s license and passport (required for cross-border travel).
• Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time, including support during outages, commissioning activities, and critical grid events.
• Ability to respond to urgent operational situations when required.

By joining our team, you will benefit from continuous training, flexible working hours and remote work, a retirement plan enhanced by Boralex, and a group insurance plan tailored to your personal needs.

By joining our team, you will contribute to the growth of a company committed to the energy transition. Boralex promotes a culture of sustainable performance , aligned with its business objectives . We focus on long-term growth and profitability while aiming to satisfy all our stakeholders. Continuous improvement is essential, with ambitious and measurable goals, and this culture is fostered by autonomy, the right to make mistakes, and employee empowerment.

Transparency, inclusion, and kindness are essential elements in creating a rewarding work environment where everyone can thrive and be themselves. This is why we raise awareness among all our teams on these issues and offer support networks, best practices, and educational content.

We value the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and expressions among our colleagues, partners, and communities. Feel free to join us , regardless of your age, origin, gender, potential disability, sexual orientation, or beliefs.

• Contribute to the growth of a company that’s actively involved in the energy transition.
• Add your talent to an agile work team.
• Expand your knowledge through continuous learning.
• Keep fit with a membership allowance at a sports centre of your choice. Spend more time with your family thanks to a flexible and independent schedule.
• Plan your life beyond your career thanks to a pension plan to which Boralex contributes.