Director Grid Interconnections

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. Director Grid Interconnections directs ERCOT’s grid interconnection activities for all new Generation Resources and Large Loads. Provides a focus for integrating new technologies while maintaining reliability, aligning interconnection processes with evolving Protocols, market design changes, legislation, and industry practices. Provides information and strategic expertise to upper management and the executive team and represents ERCOT in stakeholder groups and other external meetings. Guides and supports the long-term development of policies, tools, and staff needed to ensure ERCOT’s interconnection processes can meet the reliability needs of an evolving grid, including batch studies. JOB DUTIES Directs all teams responsible for the integration of Generation Resources and Large Loads into the ERCOT System, from initial application through commissioning and approval for commercial operations. Directs the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes for generation and large load interconnection, including screening studies, full interconnection studies, modeling requirements, and energization approval workflows. Directs the development of revisions to ERCOT Protocols, Planning and Operating Guides, and internal procedures as required to accommodate new technologies (e.g., inverter‑based resources, storage, large flexible loads) and ensure ERCOT’s reliability requirements are fulfilled. Directs cross‑functional teams and matrixed work efforts that align Interconnection, Network Modeling, Planning, Markets, and Operations on interconnection policy, study standards, and implementation practices. Directs the long‑term development and maintenance of tools and data flows (e.g., RIOO platforms, Network Operations Model interfaces, analytics and interconnection dashboards) used to submit, validate, track, and analyze Generation Resource and Large Load data. Directs the evaluation of interconnection study results and recommendations, ensuring consistent treatment across generation and load types, and alignment with NERC, ERCOT, and PUCT reliability requirements. Directs ERCOT representation on interconnection matters in external meetings with the PUCT, stakeholders, and other policymakers, and in regional and national policy groups such as NERC and NAESB. Directs the development and maintenance of reports and metrics on interconnection queue status, study timelines, performance against targets, and emerging trends in resource and load additions. Directs coordination with System Planning and Operations to ensure interconnection study assumptions, models, and criteria are consistent with regional planning and operational reliability needs. Directs the identification of staffing, skill, and tool requirements to support current and future interconnection volumes and provides guidance and mentorship to Supervisors and Managers supporting grid interconnections. Directs the development and execution of departmental O&M and capital budgets for grid interconnections, consistent with organizational policies and strategic priorities. Performs other duties as assigned. REQUIRED EXPEREINCE Requires minimum 10 years job-related work experience and 5 years in a management or leadership role in excess of degree requirements. Minimum years of job-related experience can include time in leadership roles. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Prefers minimum 10 years of job-related work experience in transmission planning/analysis, system operations, and/or resource interconnection in excess of degree requirements Prefers minimum 5 years’ experience in a management or leadership role directing engineering or grid planning/operations functions (may run concurrent with overall experience requirement) EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree: Electrical Engineering or related discipline (Required) Master's Degree: Engineering, Business Administration, or related field (Preferred) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required CERTIFICATION PE Professional Engineer (Preferred WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX: Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at a minimum of 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence. Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-Hybrid, #LI-MH1 ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law. Expected Salary Range: $245,000 - $337,000 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.