Senior Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

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National Grid is hiring a Senior Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design), Electrical Engineering for Massachusetts. This is a Onsite Role - Must live within a commutable distance to Waltham, MA.

Job Purpose

Perform Transmission Planning functions within the Transmission Planning group responsible for New England. Establish transmission development/expansion plans for the optimized, safe and effective management of our transmission assets with respect to thermal (powerflow), stability, voltage, and short circuit requirements over their whole lifecycle in New England.

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct analytical studies for transmission system expansion, interconnection of new generation, and load to the transmission system. These analytical studies should consider power system thermal, voltage, and reactive behavior, as well as transient, dynamic, harmonic, and short circuit performance as they relate to system reliability, economics, and operating flexibility.
• Perform EMT simulations and studies of complex systems involving power electronics, distributed generation and large transmission network using detailed modelling and simulation in PSCAD.
• Perform PSCAD analyses needed for feasibility and system impact studies to interconnect new generation and FACTS devices. These studies are performed to identify and mitigate SSR (sub-synchronous resonance), control system interaction and sub-synchronous torsional interaction issues.
• Perform thermal capability analysis (ratings) for transmission lines, power transformers, circuit breakers, switches, and surge arresters.
• Perform transfer limit analysis for transmission network interface.
• Perform all computer modeling necessary to conduct power flow and stability studies for Transmission Planning as well as other National Grid engineering functions; utilize a team approach to ensure consistent and thorough analysis in all Transmission Planning studies.
• Incorporate asset management analyses into planning studies to develop comprehensive area solutions.
• Document study findings in reports and prepare and defend recommendations in presentations to executives responsible for funding decisions.
• Present study reports and findings to the Independent System Operator - New England (ISO-NE) committees for various approvals.
• Provide support for need cases to siting and licensing team during various hearings.
• Implement policies and procedures relative to Transmission Planning.
• Represent National Grid interests on national, regional, and local levels in various transmission planning and operations committees, task forces and working groups.
• Manage consultants' work ensuring technical adequacy complying with National Grid, ISO-NE, NPCC and NERC standards and criteria.
• Work in a project team environment interacting with individuals with various technical specialties and industry experience.
• Fulfill a lead role (i.e. project manager role) during study phase of projects to ensure that projects are fully scoped in a timely manner.
• Resolve technical issues that may arise in different phases of a project.
• Supervisory/Interpersonal- Experience Required
• Able to lead and supervise a project team or virtual teams to achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering school required. Masters Degree in Electrical Power Systems preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience
• Professional Engineering registration preferred.
• Valid driver's license required with a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver policy.
• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate results of analyses and studies required for senior level positions.
• Experience with state-of-the-art techniques in power flow, short circuit and transient stability analyses.  PSS/E, MUST, ASPEN, PSCAD and/or PowerGem TARA experience preferred.
• Proficiency in personal computer office-based software applications such as MSOffice (Word, Excel, and Access) is highly desirable.
• Work ethic that includes internal and external customer focus, flexibility, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritize work and participate as a team member on multiple projects at one time, to work in a fast paced and competitive environment envisioned with FERC Order 1000.
• Ability to understand commercial aspects of transmission projects.
• Demonstrate a high level of personal initiative an ability to interact with company personnel, external engineering firms, regulatory representatives, town/city officials, and ISO/NPCC/NERC representatives in a positive, team building manner.
• Knowledge of engineering economics, energy market economics, project management, team leadership, and utility business practices.
• Familiarity with ANSI standards, NESC, and IEEE standards, transmission planning standards and criteria of NERC, NPCC and/or other regions such as PJM desired.
• Experience within a RTO (such as ISO-NE, NYISO, PJM, CAISO etc.) planning processes preferred.
• Knowledge of power systems strongly preferred including protection system operation and reliability philosophy, utility system practices, three-phase power system theory/operation both static and dynamic, short circuit theory/application, motor generation theory/application, reactive compensation theory, substation configuration/construction/maintenance techniques, transmission line configurations/design/maintenance techniques, outage planning, and congestion philosophy and analysis

More Information

Salary - $134,000 - $157,000

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise.  We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve.  National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.