Experienced Energy Operations & Planning Principal Engineer

Experienced Energy Operations & Planning Principal Engineer for Grid Reliability

Texas Reliability Entity, Inc. (Texas RE) is hiring! We are seeking an experienced Energy Operations & Planning (O&P) Principal Engineer to join our Enforcement, Registration, and Certification teams to analyze system performance and modeling data, evaluate operations and maintenance programs for Bulk Electric System (BES) facilities, and assess risks to the reliability and resiliency of the bulk power system.

Who We Are

At Texas RE, we affect the lives of millions of people by ensuring effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the Bulk Power System within the ERCOT Interconnection. The ERCOT Interconnection is located within the State of Texas and includes approximately 90% of Texas’s electric load and 75% of its land area. Texas RE’s teams support this mission while enjoying a flexible work environment, open collaboration, and a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Texas RE employees work a hybrid work schedule consisting of at least two days in the office with the option of working three days remotely. Additional in-office work may be required depending on project scopes. The considered candidate will be required to reside in the Austin-metro area or be able to reliably commute to the office within a reasonable amount of time.

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field of study
• Experience with NERC Reliability Standards
• Experience with real time system operations or familiarity with ERCOT Protocols Operating Procedures
• Experience with technical analysis of power system performance and modeling
• Ability to evaluate an organization’s compliance program for strengths, weaknesses, and gaps
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Team contributor with initiative
• Ability to develop accurate, concise reports and presentations

Summary of Responsibilities

The Operations and Planning (O&P) Principal acts as a lead subject matter expert supporting the activities of the Texas RE Enforcement, Reliability Standards, and Registration and Certification Programs concerning O&P issues. The position is expected to have high levels of expertise on all NERC O&P Reliability Standards, the electrical power industry, and compliance processes.

The O&P Principal works under the direction of Director, Enforcement and Registration with minimal supervision and performs work independently and as a team member within Texas RE. The O&P Principal may be assigned to multiple, diverse projects concurrently and in a different capacity as needs dictate.

Essential Job Duties

• Supports the Manager, Enforcement in resolving Operations & Planning (O&P) noncompliance issues, including developing risk assessments, determining the root causes of a possible violation, and assessing appropriate mitigating activities for noncompliance issues.
• Participates in and provides subject matter expert analysis in settlement negotiations involving O&P noncompliance issues.
• Develops and presents trainings, including writing and designing course content and developing training materials, so that staff may become more effective when assessing compliance with O&P Reliability Standards and successfully engage in enforcement activities.
• Maintains awareness of and provides subject matter expert advice and inputs on NERC Rules of Procedure, NERC Reliability Standards, NERC Reliability Standards under development, and related projects and activities.
• Supports the Manager, Registration and Certification in the technical analysis of O&P issues in connection with registration and certification matters, including but not limited to, assessing NERC registered function applicability, certification reviews, and certification applications.
• Maintains a working knowledge of trends and information technology changes affecting the O&P of the bulk power system, including emerging risks.
• Represents Texas RE on working groups and committees.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field of study, or six years applicable experience (e.g. engineering, auditing) in lieu of a bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of five years (in excess of degree/experience requirements stated above) of progressively responsible experience in an industry related environment.
• Solid knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards and processes, as well as ERCOT Procedures, Operating Guides, and Protocols.
• Ability to gain comprehensive understanding of the design and limitation of the electric power system through reading of technical reports and reliability standards.
• Understanding of Governance Risk Management and Compliance practices and maintaining compliance in a business environment.
• Capable of evaluating an organization’s compliance program for strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.
• Ability to build and assist in improving compliance programs for organizations of varying sizes and industries.

Job Competencies

• Written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Organizational skills, including project management skills.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Analytical skills.
• Initiative and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to comprehensively use Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive.

Company Highlights and Benefits

Employees work a hybrid work schedule consisting of at least two days in the office with the option of working three days remotely. Additional in-office work may be required depending on project scopes. Additionally, employees have the option to take advantage of Flexible Friday, where employees may shift working hours to earlier in the week instead of on Friday after noon.

Texas RE pays 100% of employee-only coverage for medical, dental, vision, life and ADD, short-term and long-term disability, and long-term care insurance, as well as the employee assistance program. Additional benefits are offered at a minimal cost to the employee such as dependent medical, dental, voluntary life and ADD for employees, spouses, and children, additional long-term care coverage for family members, legal services and identity protection.

Texas RE provides a generous 401(k) or Roth 401(k) savings plan for employees, contributing 10% of an employee’s compensation towards the retirement plan with full vesting after three (3) years. Additionally, Texas RE will match 75%, up to 6%, of employee contributions, with vesting at 20% per year and full vesting at five (5) years of employment.

Additional Information for Applicants

• Background checks (including criminal history and drug screening, education and employment verification) will be conducted prior to employment.
• Certain positions require travel outside the U.S.; valid passport necessary for those positions.
• Texas RE has restrictions on employee and employee’s household members’ employment and financial relationships with NERC registered entities. Additional details furnished upon request.

Texas RE is committed to attracting top talent from a diverse candidate pool. During the interview process, candidates will meet with a cross-section of Texas RE employees who bring a broad set of perspectives to the discussion. Our inclusive, friendly work environment encourages employees to collaborate across and outside of our organization, while also offering opportunities for personal growth. Our team of professional, technical, and administrative staff derives its collective strength from our varied backgrounds.

Texas RE is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity/transgender status, and pregnancy), religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or other status protected by law.