Lead Engineer, Controls

Lead Engineer, Transmission System Planning

Lead Engineer, Transmission System Planning provides focused subject matter expertise and oversight of power system studies and system solutions development by coordinating team assignments associated with the modeling and analysis of the Company’s electric transmission system. The role requires extensive experience associated with the modeling, analyses, and planning level designs of transmission lines, substation facilities, and other applicable assets or resources comprising New England’s electric power system. Typical studies include analyses of power flow, transient stability, short circuit, and electromagnetic transient. The position assists in leading the development and improvements of standard procedures or processes, methodologies and any other necessary documentation supporting the studies and any resulting system improvements. This position entails representing the Company on regional and national transmission committees regarding transmission planning matters for NEPOOL, NERC, NPCC and ISO-NE as needed. Location: Boston, MA

Responsibilities

• Serve as the System Planning team lead for direct report engineers by ensuring responsible assignments are performed satisfactorily where sound technical mitigation measures or upgrade solutions are recommended. Serve as point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on transmission system reliability studies
• Leads the development and maintenance of the system power flow model, including collection and review of the forecast loads to be included in the model and review of various electric system parameters
• Leads the strategic needs assessment and analysis of proposed solutions associated with key study areas of the ISO-NE regional system plan, especially EMA and NH, including determining transmission system area needs and verifying technical feasibility or soundness of proposed plans utilizing industry accepted techniques
• Interfacing with various ISO-NE staff, line and substation engineering, asset management, siting, environmental and permitting, operations, etc. to determine planning needs and proposed plans
• Developing design solutions and possible alternatives to mitigate identified assessment criteria violations with consideration of other potential near term and long-term needs in the study area
• Leads the Annual System assessments and develops potential alternatives to reliability objectives by identifying key technical issues and developing proposed and alternative solutions, including the application of corporate planning standards in conjunction with Federal, State or Local regulatory requirements
• Plans, develops and collaborates in the implementation and management of the life cycle planning for transmission assets
• Contributes to the development of the Transmission capital budget through development of cost-effective programs and projects to meet customer and system needs
• Leads the analysis of system interconnections, including review and assessment support for applications in the interconnection queue while managing the impact analysis of interconnections on the electric system
• Serves as a company expert witness advocating the Company’s position at various regulatory and/or siting proceedings on issues dealing with Company’s plans for Transmission improvements.
• Conducts performance evaluations for System Planning staff and creates performances goals, development plans and growth opportunities for all direct reports; trains junior staff in technical analyses and procedures
• Performs an emergent storm assignment as needed during times of inclement weather or adverse system conditions

Qualifications

• BSEE, Power Systems, required, Licensed PE and an advanced degree in Power Systems Engineering, preferred
• 8+ years of electric utility power systems analysis or planning focused on transmission system planning
• Proven experience with power system transmission analysis tools such as PSSE, TARA, EMS, ASPEN, PROMOD, PowerWorld, PSCAD or other similar analysis software.
• Effective communicator who develops relationships, works cross-functionally and communicates persuasively
• Strong understanding of electrical engineering concepts such as reliability, load flow, stability, short circuit, voltage regulation, transients, power factor, losses, etc.
• Strong technical understanding of power delivery operations and power industry fundamentals, practices, and standards
• Thorough understanding of engineering economics