Community Energy Systems Electrical Engineer

Energy Systems Specialist

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation's power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Coastal Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is headquartered at PNNL-Sequim, on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. Our unique facility is the Department of Energy's only marine research laboratory, and the capabilities of its researchers deliver science and technology critical to the nation's energy, environmental, and security future.

We focus on research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, marine engineering, environmental modeling and monitoring, and national security—the division is an emerging leader in three areas:

• Enabling sustainable development of ocean energy
• Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities, including climate change, on marine resources
• Protecting coastal environments from security threats.

The position will primarily support community driven design for coastal and remote communities interested in planning for their energy future. The candidate will work with other laboratory researchers and community partners, applying existing and custom tools and research methods, to help communities reach their energy goals. This role is ideal for someone who combines expertise in power systems with strong judgement and communication skills. We are looking for a candidate who can succeed in high-ambiguity environments, with an ability to evaluate many technical paths quickly while building trust with community partners.

This role will be focused on providing technical assistance for communities through two programs: the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) and Energy to Communities (E2C).

Familiarity with energy infrastructure, energy planning, and energy generation is necessary for success in this position. Day to day responsibilities will include understanding baseline energy usage, future projections for energy usage, and making recommendations for improving reliability and affordability. The position may also require familiarity with microgrid technologies and operations, distributed energy resources, grid integration, grid management, infrastructure improvements, utility operations, and rural/remote/coastal communities. Finally, this position is based in PNNL's coastal sciences division, so may also benefit from expertise in coastal energy systems, including shoreside infrastructure or ports, maritime industries, and coastal infrastructure design.

• Analyze electrical and energy system data from communities
• Work directly with coastal communities to define energy priorities and develop plans to implement those priorities
• Understand state, regional and federal policy trends that impact community partners
• Review and synthesize literature, case studies, and tools
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team at PNNL and other national laboratories to advance modeling approaches and tools for community-driven energy planning
• Lead and contribute to scientific, peer-reviewed publications
• Manage independent work assigned by team members
• Networking with other professionals in the organization
• Contributions to publications and proposals

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or higher

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, energy planning, technology policy, or related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Deep knowledge of one more multiple of the following systems from both a technological and social perspective: electric transmission and distribution, hydropower, port and maritime facilities, seafood processing, building energy efficiency
• Ability to create and deliver effective presentations on technical topics to public and scientific audiences
• Familiarity with analyzing electrical load data for communities, buildings, and municipalities
• Familiarity and experience applying a variety of social scientific research methodologies
• Experience creating tools for energy planning, electric utility operations, evaluations of energy use, energy technology evaluation, or related topics
• Ability to quickly explore and assess different methods of answering applied research questions with limited data
• Ability to develop and apply decision making frameworks
• Detail-oriented
• Self-starter