Lead Transmission Planning Engineer (United States)

Company Overview

A well-established power and energy consulting organization is seeking an experienced transmission planning professional to join a growing technical team serving electric utilities, system operators, developers, and other energy-sector clients across North America. The organization provides engineering, technical advisory, modeling, and testing services focused on practical solutions to complex power-system challenges.

The firm offers a collaborative environment that values technical excellence, innovation, accountability, teamwork, and professional growth. Team members work alongside recognized industry specialists while developing their own expertise and client leadership capabilities.

Position Overview

The Transmission and Regulatory practice is seeking mid-senior to senior-level transmission planning engineers and technical leaders. The successful candidate will independently conduct or contribute to generation and transmission projects, manage assigned scope and budget, and provide technical direction to junior engineers to ensure project objectives are met.

The role involves power-network modeling and analysis across steady-state, short-circuit, and dynamic-stability applications. Project work may include generator and renewable interconnections, large-load interconnections, transmission planning, facility and network-upgrade assessments, and grid-resilience studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform independent steady-state and transient-stability analyses, including post-processing, technical verification, and preparation of comprehensive reports.
• Conduct and lead load and generator interconnection studies, including feasibility, system-impact, facility, network-upgrade, deliverability, and related assessments.
• Complete technical studies in accordance with applicable ISO/RTO, utility, and client requirements and methodologies.
• Assess system needs and develop recommendations related to transmission equipment, facilities, and material selection.
• Apply applicable North American reliability standards, planning processes, and quality requirements, including NERC and WECC frameworks where relevant.
• Guide and mentor team members using a strong understanding of conventional generation, inverter-based resources, transmission systems, interconnection processes, customer loads, and modeling principles.
• Manage project scope, budget, schedule, and technical quality to support successful delivery of power-system studies.
• Coordinate technical information across project teams and maintain clear communication with project leadership and clients.
• Understand client priorities and translate technical findings into useful, practical recommendations.
• Identify technical, commercial, practical, and schedule-related project risks and communicate them effectively.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, team development, and internal technical initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience leading or conducting transmission-planning, load-interconnection, and generation-interconnection studies for an ISO/RTO, electric utility, developer, or consulting organization.
• Experience with regulatory requirements and compliance methodologies related to applicable NERC standards, including TPL, MOD, and CIP.
• Demonstrated technical excellence through complex project delivery, technical reports, presentations, publications, or industry participation.
• Proficiency with power-flow and system-study tools such as PSS/E, PSLF, TARA, and ASPEN.
• Working knowledge of programming or analytical languages such as Python, C, MATLAB, or FORTRAN.
• Familiarity with RTO/ISO structures, planning processes, and interconnection requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to organize, analyze, and communicate complex technical data.
• Excellent written communication, presentation, reporting, teamwork, and facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, and openness to creative or nontraditional solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders at both engineering and management levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer license.
• More than 6 years of direct responsibility for transmission-planning and generation-interconnection studies within an ISO/RTO, utility, developer, or consulting environment.
• Familiarity with facility studies, network-upgrade development, and cost estimation.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or technically directing less-experienced engineers.

Location and Travel

The position may be based near one of several North American offices and supports a hybrid working arrangement that blends in-office and remote work. Travel is expected to be limited, although occasional travel to client locations, project sites, or industry meetings may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

The organization offers a competitive compensation package, potential performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program designed to support employee well-being and professional growth. Specific compensation and benefit details will be discussed during the interview process.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in a professional office or remote-work environment. Occasional field or laboratory assignments may require personal protective equipment, additional safety training, and the ability to perform physical activities associated with site work. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is committed to maintaining an inclusive, equal-opportunity workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics.