Power Systems Engineer

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking an early to mid-career power-systems engineer and researcher to provide hands-on technical leadership for the design, analysis, integration, commissioning, and demonstration of resilient microgrids and distributed power systems. The successful candidate will bring substantial power-systems and microgrid experience and be able to take ownership of complex technical work with a high degree of independence. The position will focus on the interaction of energy storage, inverter-based resources, conventional generation, protection systems, and utility interconnections in laboratory, field, and customer-site applications.

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Power Systems Engineer to work on our Energy & Environment, Science & Technology team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

This is a hands-on engineering and research position centered on the design, integration, commissioning, operation, and troubleshooting of microgrids and distributed power systems. This is not primarily a desk-based modeling position. The successful candidate will work directly with laboratory and field-scale electrical equipment, including energy-storage systems, inverters, generators, transformers, switchgear, protective relays, control hardware, instrumentation, communications systems, and data-acquisition platforms. The engineer will develop test and commissioning plans, configure and integrate equipment, execute laboratory and customer-site tests, diagnose unexpected system behavior, and implement or recommend corrective actions. This role requires an engineer who can move effectively between engineering analysis, control development, laboratory experimentation, and field implementation.

The candidate will apply power-systems engineering judgment to review one-line diagrams; perform load-flow, short-circuit, grounding, and protection-coordination studies; confirm equipment ratings and transformer requirements; and evaluate how batteries, inverters, generators, loads, protection systems, and utility connections will interact. The candidate will also develop and evaluate microgrid control, protection, measurement, and automation approaches, using modeling, real-time digital simulation (RTDS), and hardware-in-the-loop testing as appropriate to validate designs and support deployment.

A successful candidate will be expected to contribute to technical publications and clearly communicate methods, results, and recommendations through reports, presentations, design reviews, sponsor briefings, and external technical meetings. Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills are essential.
The successful candidate will work as part of multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with other national laboratories, government agencies, universities, utilities, equipment manufacturers, private-sector partners, and customers at project sites.

The role will support research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects sponsored by the Department of Energy, Department of War, Department of Homeland Security, and industry. The candidate will help define technical approaches, coordinate research activities, deliver project results, meet sponsor milestones, and identify opportunities for new research and collaborative proposals.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate initiative, technical curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to take ownership of power-systems work from design review and analysis through field integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and documentation. They should be comfortable making sound technical decisions, working across engineering disciplines, and operating in dynamic research-and-development environment. All work must be performed in accordance with applicable environmental, safety, health, and work-control requirements.

Responsibilities and Job Function:

• Apply power-systems engineering principles and sound engineering judgment to the design, analysis, integration, and operation of microgrids and distributed power systems.
• Provide independent technical leadership across the lifecycle of power-system solutions, from requirements and design through validation, commissioning, and deployment.
• Develop, implement, and validate microgrid control, measurement, automation, protection, and operating strategies.
• Perform power-system studies and design activities, including one-line development, load-flow and short-circuit analyses, grounding and protection coordination, equipment ratings, and transformer selection.
• Lead hands-on laboratory, field, and customer-site work involving equipment configuration, system integration, test execution, commissioning, troubleshooting, and corrective actions.
• Evaluate the interaction of energy-storage systems, inverter-based resources, generators, transformers, loads, protection systems, microgrid controls, and utility interconnections.
• Ensure the technical quality of calculations, specifications, models, protection settings, test plans, commissioning procedures, drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Travel to customer and partner sites as required to support power-system validation, commissioning, troubleshooting, field testing, and operational demonstrations.
• Communicate engineering methods, results, and recommendations through technical reports, publications, presentations, design reviews, technical meetings, and sponsor briefings.
• Collaborate with customers, government agencies, national laboratories, universities, utilities, manufacturers, and industry partners, and contribute power-systems expertise to research planning and proposals.
• Maintain relevant technical expertise, mentor junior staff and interns, and perform other responsibilities in support of INL’s mission.

Required:

• Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABETand (2) years of relevant professional experience.
• Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a directly related engineering field from a program accredited by ABETand (5) years of relevant professional experience.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Advanced degree in a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET.
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent research and methods development.
• Technical understanding, research collaborations, and professional recognition in relevant field, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, patents, technical reports, or other professional recognition.
• Expertise in power systems, data management, and configuration management. Application of principles, theories, and concepts in complex power system development.
• Direct knowledge and hands on experience with power systems doing systems design, integration, and validation.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: The pay range for this position is: Level 2 ($79,344 - $162,732) / Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.