Senior Reliability Engineer, Reliability Models & Studies

Job Description

Job Description

SERC OVERVIEW

SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC) is one of six Regional Entities in North America authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) through delegation agreements with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). SERC is responsible for promoting the reliability and security of the bulk power system across the southeastern and central United States.

SERC's footprint spans approximately 630,000 square miles and serves more than 97 million people, including all or portions of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

The electric grid is essential to public health, safety, and economic stability. SERC's mission is to reduce risks to the reliability and security of the bulk power system through effective and efficient oversight, analysis, and collaboration.

To support this mission, SERC maintains a multidisciplinary team of experts and works closely with industry stakeholders, neighboring Regional Entities, NERC, and federal partners. These partnerships enable informed, pragmatic, and impactful approaches to emerging and evolving reliability challenges.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Reliability Models & Studies team is part of SERC's Reliability Assessment, Performance Analysis, and Technical Services (RAPA) Department. The team leads the development of steady-state and dynamic models, evaluates transmission reliability and resource adequacy, identifies emerging risks, provides input to regional reliability assessments to support the resilience of the bulk power system, and leads technical committees.

The Senior Reliability Engineer is a senior-level technical and professional role responsible for advancing SERC's model development and reliability studies in support of the organization's mission to reduce risks to the bulk power system.

The engineer will exercise independent technical judgment, influence regional and ERO-wide initiatives, and represent SERC in engagements with stakeholders (NERC, neighboring Regional Entities, and regulatory partners). This role will also serve as a subject matter expert for state outreach and stakeholder engagements, contribute to training and technical communications, and support the continuous improvement of SERC's assessment processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform transmission assessment studies, including steady state, stability, and short circuit.
• Lead and contribute to regional transmission and resource adequacy assessments, including interpretation of steady-state, stability, short-circuit, deterministic, and probabilistic studies.
• Exercise professional judgment to identify, assess, and communicate emerging reliability risks and trends affecting the SERC footprint.
• Provide technical leadership and facilitation for SERC technical committees and working groups, supporting consensus-driven, risk-informed outcomes.
• Represent SERC's regional perspectives in ERO initiatives, working groups, and task forces, influencing policy, methodology, and technical direction.
• Drive continuous improvement of SERC's data quality, data validation, modeling, study, and assessment processes, applying project management and process improvement principles.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with NERC and neighboring Regional Entities to enhance coordination, alignment, and consistency.
• Lead technical discussions with stakeholders and regulatory partners on transmission and resource planning topics to support issue resolution and shared understanding.
• Support SERC's enterprise reliability risk management efforts by integrating assessment results into risk identification, analysis, and communication.
• Contribute to technical publications, reports, and stakeholder communications that support transparency and situational awareness.
• Support and deliver stakeholder outreach and training on planning, assessment, and operational topics.
• Provide technical input on NERC Reliability Standards development activities and FERC rulemakings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related industry experience is required; a master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the electric utility industry or an equivalent field.
  • Can be considered for non-senior engineer if senior qualifications are not met.
• Preferred experience in operations, planning, and/or regulatory activities, particularly with exposure to NERC and FERC.
• Working knowledge of protection and control systems is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives; program or project management experience preferred.
• Advanced programming skills and experience in engineering analysis are preferred, including the ability to develop Python scripts to enhance analytical processes.
• Extensive experience in the electric utility industry, with demonstrated expertise in transmission planning, resource planning, and power system modeling.
• Strong understanding of the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) framework, roles, and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with industry stakeholders and regulatory partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience engaging in senior leadership and technical audiences through meetings, presentations, and formal reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; experience with industry tools such as PSSE, TARA, SERVM, or similar platforms preferred.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries while exercising independent technical judgment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Demonstrated strengths in research, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment.

COMMITMENT TO CULTURE:

SERC is dedicated to being a highly desirable place to work through culture and purpose. We place a strategic focus on critical elements such as Innovation & Collaboration, Organizational Development & Talent Management. Through this strategic focus, SERC has identified its four values we believe keep us on the path of the relentless pursuit of better.

COMPANY VALUES:

• Leader - Is trustworthy, principled, and respectful and strive to create value that reduces risk. Has a positive vision and is actively building support to execute it. A leader takes personal accountability for the outcomes of their choices and actions, acts with professionalism and adapts to change in a calm and positive manner. A leader will, when appropriate, ask questions and recommend alternative solutions to new processes or procedures.
• Collaborative - Partner and engage, both internally and externally, to drive meaningful action by leveraging skills, knowledge and tools. This would include effective written and verbal communication to ensure ideas and messages are clearly and concisely conveyed, being responsive to all stakeholders, understanding goals and objectives while exceeding key metrics and targets. Encourages dialog and candor while making it safe for others to voice their opinion to ensure all alternative viewpoints are heard, they are an active listener.
• Expert - Being credible, objective, disciplined, and sought after to help with continuous learning, improvements, and innovations. Exhibit knowledge of and ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulations. Take initiative to set priorities and convey important information in a timely and efficient manner. Employ good judgment when evaluating a problem by analyzing risk and identifying consequences while demonstrating a sense of organizational stewardship.
• Purposeful - Proactively demonstrate initiative, intentionality and resourcefulness to help anticipate and navigate current and future challenges. Committed to the quality of work and ensures work is delivered at appropriate deadlines while seeking operational efficiencies. Initiate appropriate follow-up while leveraging industry knowledge and business acumen to make appropriate decisions. Treat others with compassion and empathy and embrace the organization's mission and vision while providing meaningful contributions to organizational endeavors.

If the traits and characteristics listed in our values resonate with you, we encourage you to apply!

SALARY/BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is DOE. We offer a generous PTO package; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan with an organization contribution of up to 14%.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Hybrid work environment
  • Option 1: Dedicated office; Report to office 3-days per week
  • Option 2: Non-Dedicated Office (Hoteling); Report to office 2-days per week
• ability to travel as needed.

SERC is an Equal Opportunity Employer