Senior Planning Engineer, Resource Planning

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.

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.
• Develop 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 used to plan and simulate the future electric grid.
• 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 performance with respect to reliability criteria evaluations. Critically analyze and interpret 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 other aspects of the CSPP, including Economic Planning Process and Public Policy activities.
• Perform resource adequacy analysis in response to 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 reports, presentations, summary results, and interpretations, and present or support them as needed.
• Participate in and support working groups and task forces related to reliability councils, including NERC, NPCC, and NYSRC.
• Participate in and support industry working groups and task forces, including FERC, EPRI, ESIG, and IEEE.
• Coordinate with other NYISO departments, market participants, neighboring ISOs, and regional and inter-regional reliability groups as appropriate.
• Prepare reports and presentations using MS Office and other software to support Reliability Planning Department activities.
• Represent NYISO on industry committees, task forces, or stakeholder groups involving planning issues.
• Lead, review, and support products developed by other team members, including models, simulation outputs, system analysis, conclusions, and communications.
• Train and guide team members.
• Lead and support an inclusive and professional work environment.
• Improve modeling and simulation methods and reporting tools.
• Improve study processes, methods, and 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, PowerGem’s SERVM, and/or Energy Exemplar Plexos, or similar, is necessary.
• Desirable knowledge includes MATLAB and/or Python programming, statistics, data analytics, power system operations, thermal/voltage/stability analysis, and NPCC, NERC, NYSRC, and/or FERC requirements, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Candidates who possess Associate level or Engineer level skills and qualifications are also encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents; respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints; write presentations and articles using prescribed techniques or style; and 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, email, and the Internet.
• Ability to learn resource adequacy tools such as GE MARS, Plexos, and SERVM.
• Ability to learn power flow tools such as Siemens PTI PSS/E and PowerGem TARA.
• Ability to learn market simulation tools such as GE MAPS, Energy Exemplar Plexos, ABB GridView, and PowerGem PROBE.
• Ability to use process enhancement tools such as MATLAB and Python.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems and to deal with formulas, scientific equations, graphs, and 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 and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Contact with staff and the public will occur. Travel may be required to attend 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 appropriate to the candidate's experience and qualifications, such as Associate Engineer, Engineer, or Senior Engineer.

This role requires working onsite from the Rensselaer, New York location several days per workweek, with the option to work remotely on the remaining days. Employees are expected to respond to business needs that may require an increase to regular onsite requirements.

The NYISO offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and innovative reward programs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a drug screening and background check.