Senior Planning Engineer, Resource Planning

About the role

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) manages the efficient flow of electricity on more than 11,000 circuit-miles of high-voltage transmission lines, dispatching power from hundreds of generating units across the state.

Senior Planning Engineer, Resource Planning (resource adequacy probabilistic assessments focus)

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) applies cutting-edge technology to operating a reliable electricity system, managing competitive markets for wholesale electricity, and planning for the Empire State's energy future. The NYISO's Resource Planning department invites applications for a full-time Senior Planning Engineer, Resource Planning.

Summary

The Planning Engineer has primary responsibility for performing a variety of power system security and adequacy analyses as required in the NYISO tariff and in response to government, environmental and market related requirements. The position will perform long term reliability needs assessments of resource adequacy and transmission security using software tools and applicable reliability criteria.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as subject matter expert for resource adequacy system analysis and modeling.
• Apply knowledge of NYISO's tariffs to planning processes and studies.
• Develops engineering study reports, NYISO manuals and other procedures.
• Use knowledge of NYISO's systems, markets, operations, and processes to develop and improve complex resource adequacy models developed to plan and simulate the future electric grid (g., 1 through 10 years ahead, or longer as required). Adapt the models and methods to rapid electrical power system changes by using knowledge of NYISO systems, markets, and processes.
• Evaluate the reliability of the future bulk power system by performing long and short-term reliability assessments of transmission and resource adequacy using applicable software tools such as GE's Multi-Area Reliability Simulation program (MARS), SERVM, or similar and applicable reliability criteria, procedures, and guidelines. Use data analytics and statistics to assess grid's performance with respect to the reliability criteria evaluations. Other tools such as Siemens' PSSE, PowerGem's TARA, or similar, may be also used. Critically analyze and interpret the results and develop internal and external communication materials.
• Lead, perform, or review resource adequacy analysis required in the NYISO's Comprehensive System Planning Process (CSPP) with focus on Reliability Planning assessments such as Reliability Needs Assessment (RNA), Comprehensive Reliability Plan (CRP), and Short-Term Assessment of Reliability (STAR).
• Provide resource adequacy assistance and support to the other aspects of the CSPP (e.g., Economic Planning Process, Public Policy, etc.).Perform resource adequacy analysis in response to a variety of government, environmental, and market related activities and reporting requirements as they relate to the power grid.
• Perform coordinated resource adequacy planning studies on a regional basis.
• Lead, review, or perform NYSRC, NPCC, and NERC resource adequacy compliance studies. Develop communication (e.g., reports, presentations, summary results and interpretation, etc.) and present or support as needed.
• Participate and support working groups and tasks forces related to the Reliability Councils (e.g., NERC, NPCC, and NYSRC).
• Participate and support working groups and tasks forces related to the industry (e.g., FERC, EPRI, ESIG, IEEE, etc.).
• Coordinate with other NYISO departments, market participants, neighboring ISOs (Independent System Operators) and with regional and inter-regional reliability groups as appropriate.
• Prepare reports and presentations using MS Office and other software to support activities of the Reliability Planning Department.
• Represent NYISO on industry committees, task forces, or stakeholder groups involving issues related to planning.
• Lead, review, and support products (e.g., models, simulation outputs, system analysis and conclusions, communication) developed by other team members.
• Train and guide team members.
• Lead and support an inclusive and professional work environment.
• Improve the modeling and simulation methods, and the reporting tools.
• Improve study processes and methods, as well as record-keeping methods.

Qualifications include

• Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Electrical Engineering with preference for coursework in power systems. A Master's Degree (MS) in Electrical Engineering is desired.
• A minimum of five years of power system planning experience is required for the Senior Planning Engineer level.
• Experience with resource adequacy assessments using software such as GE MARS, PwoerGem's SERVM, and/or Energy Exemplar Plexos, or similar, is necessary.
• It is desirable to have knowledge of: MATLAB, and/or Python programming, statistics, data analytics, power system operations, thermal/voltage/stability analysis, NPCC, NERC, NYSRC and/or FERC requirements; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Candidates who possess Associate level (less than 2 years of experience) or Engineer level (less than five years of relevant experience) skills and qualifications are also encouraged to apply.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write presentations and articles using prescribed techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
• Intermediate competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications, e-mail and the Internet.
• Ability to learn other software tools that Planning Engineers may use, such as:
• Resource Adequacy such as GE MARS, Plexos, SERVM
• Power Flow such as Siemens PTI PSS/E program, and PowerGem TARA
• Market Simulation Tools such asGE MAPS, Energy Exemplar's Plexos, ABB GridView, & PowerGem PROBE
• Process enhancement tools such as Matlab, Python.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to perform routine office tasks.
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Contact with staff and public will occur.
• Travel may be required to attend and/or conduct meetings, conferences and training.
• This position may require work on nights, weekends or holidays.

Please note that this position will be filled at the level (i.e., Associate Engineer, Engineer, or Senior Engineer) appropriate with the candidates experience and qualifications.

At the NYISO, we realize the importance of balancing the availability of remote work with the inherent value of bringing people together to attain success in the areas of maximum collaboration, relationship building and growth, teamwork, innovation and problem solving, as well as professional development and mentoring. In this role, you will be required to work onsite from our Rensselaer, NY location several days per workweek, with the option to work remotely on the remaining days. You will also be expected to respond to all business needs that may require any increase to the regular onsite requirements.

Pay and benefits

The NYISO takes pride in recruiting, developing and retaining highly talented individuals. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and innovative reward programs.

All offers of employment will be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screening and background check.

Salary Range $105,700—$176,400 USD