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Power System Planning Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Senior Power Systems Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

... system planning and operations. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in electrical ... engineering (Power Systems focus preferred). * Minimum of 5 years of professional experience ...

Electrical Engineering degree from an accredited ABET university with emphasis on power systems ... Performs full range of power system studies on associated with conceptual planning, design ...

Performing power system startup, checkout, and commissioning, both domestically and abroad ... Planning labor resources and scheduling project milestones to ensure project completion within ...

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Power System Planning Engineer information

What is a power system planning engineer?

Power System Planning Engineers are professionals who design, analyze, and plan the development of electrical power systems. Their work ensures that power generation, transmission, and distribution networks can meet current and future energy demands reliably and efficiently. They use specialized software and modeling techniques to assess system capabilities, forecast growth, and recommend upgrades or new infrastructure. These engineers also consider factors like renewable integration, regulatory standards, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in their planning process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a power system planning engineer?

To thrive as a Power System Planning Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems analysis, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering. Familiarity with specialized software such as PSS®E, ETAP, or PowerWorld, as well as knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and present technical findings clearly. These skills are crucial for ensuring reliable, efficient, and future-ready electrical grids that meet growing energy demands.

What are some common challenges faced by power system planning engineers when integrating renewable energy sources into the grid?

Power System Planning Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining grid stability, managing variability in power generation, and ensuring adequate transmission capacity when integrating renewable energy sources. Balancing supply and demand becomes more complex due to the intermittent nature of renewables like wind and solar. Additionally, engineers must coordinate with multiple stakeholders—including utility companies, regulatory bodies, and equipment manufacturers—to develop solutions that meet technical, economic, and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between Power System Planning Engineer vs Power System Operations Engineer?

AspectPower System Planning EngineerPower System Operations Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, operational certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning and analyzing future power system expansions, planning grid reliabilityMonitoring and controlling current power system operations, real-time decision making
Industry UsageUtility companies, energy consultancies, grid operatorsUtility companies, grid control centers, energy providers

Power System Planning Engineers focus on designing and planning future power grid infrastructure, while Power System Operations Engineers manage real-time system performance. Both roles require electrical engineering expertise but differ in their daily tasks and objectives.

What are popular job titles related to Power System Planning Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Power System Planning Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Power System Planning Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Power System Planning Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Power System Planning Engineer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Power System Planning Engineer job openings:

Distribution Grid Modeling and Analytics - Engineer Staff III

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.

Knoxville, TN • On-site, Remote

$92K - $101K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

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Job description

Job Title:Distribution Grid Modeling and Analytics - Engineer Staff IIILocation:Knoxville, TNJob Summary and Description:

Utilities around the world are transforming their distribution systems to support electrification, distributed energy resources (DER), resilience, decarbonization, and growing operational complexity. As planning and operations become increasingly data-driven, utilities need advanced analytics, high-fidelity modeling, artificial intelligence, and trusted data to maintain a reliable, resilient, and efficient grid.

The EPRI Distribution Operations and Planning team leads collaborative research that advances the state of the art in distribution system planning and operations. Through the development of innovative methodologies, simulation tools, analytics, and field-validated solutions, the team addresses challenges spanning grid modernization, DER integration, protection, resilience, operations, and emerging technologies.

This position conducts research in advanced power system modeling, simulation, AI, machine learning, and measurement-based analytics. The successful candidate will develop and apply advanced analytical methods that combine power system models with data-driven approaches, leveraging utility data to improve planning, operations, and protection while translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions for the electric utility industry.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Makes significant contributions to advanced modeling, simulation, and analytics projects

  • Conducts independent research activities with guidance and contributes to development of new tools, methodologies, and research approaches to address industry challenges

  • Evaluate emerging technologies and applications through analytical and field-based studies

  • Contribute to technical publications, conference papers, webinars, and industry presentations

  • Support proposal development and strategic research planning activities

  • Engage with utility members to identify challenges, transfer research outcomes, and support technology adoption

  • Contribute to the development and evaluation of AI-enabled tools and analytics applications for utility planning and operations

  • Develop and apply repeatable processes for measurement data cleaning, quality assessment, and integration

  • Conduct model verification and validation activities using utility measurement data

  • Assess the applicability, limitations, and performance of emerging AI technologies within utility environments

Ideal candidate:

  • Strong knowledge of power system fundamentals, specifically distribution systems

  • Demonstrated experience developing software tools and analytical applications using Python, C#, Delphi, Java, or similar languages

  • Experience with distribution system model development, validation, and verification

  • Experience cleaning and utilizing utility measurement data from AMI, SCADA, and other field sources

  • Proven ability to conduct power systems analytical studies, with an emphasis on distribution modeling and simulation

  • Demonstrated experience with one or more industry modeling and simulation tools such as OpenDSS, CYME, Synergi, Milsoft, PowerFactory, EMTP, PSCAD

  • Experience applying AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics techniques to power system applications

  • Familiarity with modern AI and data science frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn, LLM-based systems, agentic workflows, or related technologies is desirable

  • Experience modeling high penetrations of DER, inverter-based resources, electrification technologies, and flexible loads

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience

  • Preferred MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering with Power System emphasis

  • Minimum 2-3 years of engineering, utility, consulting, research, or equivalent experience preferred.

Location:

  • This role is based out of our Knoxville, TN office. Remote work considered for the right candidate.

The salary range for this position is $92,000 USD to $101,000 USD annually.This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI's annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI's standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/DisabledTogether . . . Shaping the Future of Energy.www.epri.com