Lead and Senior Technical Analyst – Balancing Authority Operations

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

• Lead Tech Analyst – Salary range: $112,240 – $145,810
• Sr. Tech Analyst – Salary range: $97,580 – $126,795

Overview

The Lead Technical Analyst – Balancing Authority Operations is responsible for leading complex analysis, studies, and data evaluation in support of SPP's Balancing Authority functions, with a focus on identifying and managing uncertainty and risk associated with BA obligations. This role supports both intra-day and forward-looking horizons, with direct alignment to Reliability, Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC), and Balancing functions. The position plays a key role in integrating market outcomes with real-time operations by analyzing how market dispatch, interchange schedules, and system conditions translate into actual system performance. This includes identifying and resolving discrepancies between market results and operational data to ensure accurate, reliable, and defensible outcomes. In addition to technical leadership, this role coordinates analytical efforts across functions and provides support for SPP committees, working groups, and task forces, representing System Operations as needed. This position operates with a high degree of independence, performing complex assignments with minimal guidance, and is expected to apply advanced judgment in both real-time support and after-the-fact analysis.

Core Responsibilities

Lead Technical Analyst – Responsibilities

• Lead analytical support for Balancing Authority operations, including real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking assessments of SPP’s ability to meet reliability obligations and performance targets.
• Monitor, analyze, and support performance related to NERC Balancing Authority metrics, including CPS1 and BAAL, identifying drivers of performance and recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Evaluate how market outcomes, including dispatch, commitment decisions, and interchange schedules, translate into actual system performance, ensuring alignment between market results and Balancing Authority objectives.
• Perform operational and market studies to assess available generation capacity, interchange capability, and system flexibility, providing actionable recommendations to maintain reliability and performance standards.
• Develop, validate, and analyze operational data, including meter data and interchange values, to support accurate checkout processes and ensure defensible reporting and settlements.
• Make recommendations to management and Operations functions regarding actions necessary to maintain adequate resource availability, control Area Control Error (ACE), and support compliance with reliability standards.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools, models, and processes to improve visibility into system performance, including metrics related to ACE, interchange, and resource sufficiency.
• Conduct post-event and performance analysis to evaluate system response, benchmark results against expectations, and implement improvements to operational processes and analytical methodologies.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of SPP Tariff, market rules, and operating procedures, and recommend enhancements to improve alignment between market constructs and operational reliability needs.
• Ensure compliance with SPP policies and procedures, as well as applicable NERC and FERC standards, supporting audit readiness and defensibility of analytical results.
• Lead and contribute to SPP, NERC, and WECC committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces, including serving in leadership roles as needed.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and training to operators and analysts, serving as a subject matter expert in Balancing Authority performance, forecasting, and operational analytics.
• Lead special projects and support cross-functional initiatives within Balancing Authority Operations and across the organization.

Senior Technical Analyst – Responsibilities

• Provide analytical support for Balancing Authority processes including interchange checkout, operational data validation, and reliability metric monitoring. Lead technical analysis and data-driven initiatives supporting Balancing Authority operations and assist BA management with special projects and operational initiatives.
• Contribute to NERC, WECC, and SPP committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces related to interchange, Balancing Authority performance, and reliability metrics.
• Independently request and collect information, prepare and validate data, and investigate operational data discrepancies including differences between interchange checkout values and meter data, supporting resolution of disputes between entities.
• Maintain working knowledge of SPP Tariff provisions, NAESB standards, and operating practices related to interchange scheduling, checkout, and Balancing Authority performance. Recommend and support improvements to processes, rules, or data practices where appropriate.
• Maintain strong understanding of compliance obligations related to SPP policies and procedures and applicable NERC reliability standards impacting Balancing Authority operations.
• Provide technical expertise and analytical support to Balancing Authority operators, interchange scheduling staff, and other operations teams.
• Develop analytical methods, SQL queries, and internal tools to support interchange checkout analysis, reliability metric monitoring, and operational data validation.
• Analyze Balancing Authority performance metrics including CPS1, BAAL, and Area Control Error (ACE) to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Analyze relationships between interchange schedules, meter data, and Area Control Error (ACE) to identify data inconsistencies and improve the accuracy of Balancing Authority performance metrics.

Qualifications

Lead Technical Analyst

• Bachelor’s Degree Mathematics, engineering or other related field is required
• Master’s Degree Mathematics, engineering or other related field is preferred
• 12 years job related experience is required
• NERC Certification Preferred

Senior Technical Analyst

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, mathematics, engineering or other related field is required
• 6 years of job-related experience with at least three (3) years of industry experience is required

Preferred Qualifications

All Levels

• Electric Utility Industry experience
• An emphasis on power system analysis and electric utility operations is preferred

Senior Technical Analyst – Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree

Other Requirements

All Levels

• In addition to being fluent in English, excellent oral and written communication skills are required
• Effectively communicate with Operators, SPP stakeholders, and senior management
• Strong inter-personal and team work skills
• Documented experience in power system engineering, operations engineering, transmission planning or related disciplines
• The position requires a person who is focused on continuous improvement, efficiency, and collaboration and who holds to the SPP Core Values of challenge, accountability, balance, diversity, expertise, flexibility, integrity, loyalty, respect, transparency, and trust
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
• Availability for after-hours callout, and for on-call

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management. Occasional extended or nonstandard hours may be required.

Travel Requirement

This position requires minimal (0–20%) travel.

Southwest Power Pool is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, Southwest Power Pool makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at 

HR@spp.org

 At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.