Power Systems Engineer

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Power Systems Engineer to work on our Infrastructure Security team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Idaho Falls facility with every other Friday off.

You will participate in state-of-the-art grid technology research within the sub-discipline of electrical engineering that deals with power systems, specifically electric power transmission and distribution, power conversion, and electromechanical devices. You will report to a Senior Manager, and support multiple projects organized to identify novel grid enhancements, promote strategies for grid reliability and performance, and to protect the grid from threats including cyber, physical, and all-hazards.

Essential Job Functions Responsibilities:

• Select, apply, and integrate engineering principles, theories, concepts, and technologies with complex engineered systems.

• Perform and lead independent and team research into increasing the capacity, safety, performance, and reliability of energy systems.

• Prepare and contribute to technical reports, publications, and presentations at conferences, technical meetings and project reviews.

• Determine or approve the technical approach for the development and testing of engineered solutions.

• Lead or contribute to reviews of scope, requirements, designs, codes, documentation, and deliverables.

• Develop ideas and produce proposals for new work including joint projects with industry.

• Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify design.

• Collaborate and partner with other government agencies, other national laboratories academia, and private sector companies to achieve project goals.

• Maintain technical skills and other capabilities to support the INL mission. Stay informed about developments in industry and maintain skills and contribute to the development of new principles.

• Develop design documentation, maintenance and configuration of power systems, and research and development of advanced power control or measurement techniques.

• Apply engineering principles to monitor and evaluate condition and operational performance of power infrastructure, recommendation of maintenance standards and procedures, identification of vendor data parts, and planning for upgrades.

• Apply engineering principles to the development of operational power systems and may include the development of software and hardware.

• Perform research and development activities including the advancement of power measurement or control techniques, such as state estimation or automated metering, for improving the security, efficiency and reliability of the power system infrastructure.

• Mentor junior staff and look for opportunities to involve them in current projects.

Minimum Requirements:

• Level 3: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field and 5 years of experience or a Master's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field and 2 years of experience

• Level 4: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field and 9 years of experience or a Master's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field and 6 years of experience.

• 5 years of hands-on experience within a utility or power generation company, designing and implementing power systems.

• Demonstrated ability to apply principles, theories, and concepts developing complex power systems, including data management, and configuration management of systems.

• Ability to independently conduct research, and/or apply engineering principles to solve problems as part of an interdisciplinary team.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

Ideal Candidate Experience

• Experience developing power models and simulations, such as digital twins, of grid architecture, grid topology, regional transmission, substations and critical components such as control systems.

• Experience developing and using artificial intelligence. Examples include optimizing large electric loads, identifying load congestion, and root cause analysis of outages.

• Ability to research and develop long duration energy storage solutions.

• Demonstrated technical understanding, research collaborations, and professional recognition in relevant field is required. This can be demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, patents, technical reports, or other forms of professional recognition.

• Licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.).

• Experience with energy sector communications systems, including the digital architecture, encryption, spectrum and interference management, and timing.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4($114,360 - $234,336). 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.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard, and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job-related equipment. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with 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.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.