Solar NERC Compliance

Principal Engineer, Asset Management (Solar NERC Compliance)

Solar NERC Compliance Light travel in the Hillsborough County area.

POSITION CONCEPT Engineers in Asset Management work collaboratively with grid (generation, transmission, substation, distribution) owners and operators to ensure their systems and assets are operated and maintained for safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness, and sustained functional performance. This position focuses on systems and assets associated with solar power generation and their integration with the bulk electric system. The Principal Engineer, Asset Management (Solar NERC Compliance) develops and maintains programs, studies, and documentation to ensure compliance with applicable NERC Reliability Standards as they relate to inverter-based resources (IBRs) and solar plant facilities. The engineer understands how assets in the modern electric grid are designed to perform (particularly renewable and inverter-based technologies) and has the skills to develop tools and analytics that proactively detect reliability, protection, and performance concerns. Using this knowledge, the engineer supports proactive mitigation planning, including operational limit assessments, performance tuning, capital investment planning, maintenance coordination, and the development of compliance evidence and corrective action plans to sustain long-term fleet reliability.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Development of Solar Asset Models and Reliability Systems (20%)
• Assist in developing and maintaining systems, calculations, databases, and models that define and track the expected performance of solar generation systems and related grid equipment.
• Help identify potential equipment or system issues and document their impact on safety, compliance, reliability, cost, and function.
• Contribute to establishing consistent methods for monitoring asset condition and performance.
• Support Reliability and Compliance Mitigation Activities (20%)
• Participate in evaluating options for preventing or correcting equipment or system issues related to solar generation and NERC compliance.
• Work with senior engineers, operations, and maintenance personnel to organize data, prepare engineering recommendations, and track the progress of corrective and preventive actions.
• Assist with the preparation of documentation supporting compliance with applicable NERC standards.
• Assist with Compliance and Reliability Projects (20%)
• Support projects and initiatives that improve the reliability and compliance of solar generation facilities.
• Contribute to developing standard processes, documentation, and tools used to maintain compliance with NERC reliability standards and company procedures.
• Provide technical assistance under the guidance of senior engineers during maintenance and operational activities.
• Participate in System and Asset Assessments (10%)
• Assist in performing assessments of solar facilities and associated electrical systems to determine condition, performance, and operating capability.
• Collect data, perform basic analysis, and support field measurements or studies that confirm equipment health and system reliability.
• Develop and Maintain Procedures and Training Materials (10%)
• Support the creation and improvement of procedures, checklists, and training materials related to solar reliability, grid performance, and compliance activities.
• Participate in training sessions to enhance technical and regulatory knowledge.
• Provide Technical Support to Operations and Maintenance (10%)
• Work with plant and grid operations teams to troubleshoot technical issues, collect and organize performance data, and assist with post-event reviews or engineering analyses.
• Other Engineering Duties (10%)
• Perform other related engineering tasks to support the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of Client's solar generation and grid systems as assigned.

SUPERVISION

Direct Supervision: Principal Engineer / Engineer III/IV: Coop students, technicians, analysts, specialists and engineers Engineering Fellow: Coop students, technicians, analysts, specialists and engineers Indirect Supervision: Engineer I to Engineering Fellow: Potential to indirectly supervise operators, maintenance team members, technicians, specialists, and other engineers.

RELATIONSHIPS

Key Internal: Primarily engineers, managers and team members from plant and grid operations, project management, construction, maintenance and planning but, may also work with procurement, regulatory, safety, compliance, legal and other departments as necessary. Key External: Primarily contractors, industry associations, vendors, but may also work with regulatory agencies and customers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Required: Engineering degree from ABET accredited college or university Preferred: Degree in Electrical Engineering Degree, minor or courses in Reliability Engineering, Statistics, Multi-Discipline Engineering, Analytics Licenses/Certifications Required: None required Preferred: Fundamentals in Engineering, Professional Engineer Licenses or certifications supporting the engineering discipline associated with Asset Management-Electrical System Reliability Engineer Related Experience Required: Senior Engineer: Minimum Experience Guideline - 8 years Principal / Senior Consulting Engineer: Minimum Experience Guideline - 12 years Engineering Fellow: Minimum Experience Guideline - 16 years Senior Engineering Fellow: Minimum Experience Guideline - 20 years Preferred: Experience in the electric utility industry Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (KSA) Required: Knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities associated with this position for Asset Management-Electrical System Reliability Engineer Preferred: Knowledge of electrical equipment (rotating equipment, transformers, inverters, switchgear, protection), operation and maintenance.; Reliability engineering and asset management best practices.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

- Champions Safety, Health and the Environment

- Takes Ownership and Acts with Integrity

- Drives Business Excellence for Customers

- Builds Collaborative Relationships

- Develops People and Teams

- Cultivates Innovation and Embraces Change

- Thinks Strategically and Exercises Sound Judgment

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires travel to and work 100% onsite at electrical grid facilities (power plants, transmission, substation, distribution or other facilities). This position is primarily Monday thru Friday with flexibility for some remote work but can involve overtime and weekends work to operations, projects and maintenance outages. Work may be outdoors in noisy, dusty and high stress operational environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ REQUIREMENTS

- Must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment for work assigned.

- Must be able to independently operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.

- Must be able to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.

- Must be able to grasp/handle small hand tools and other objects with fingers and palms.

- Must be able to pull, push, lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.

- Must be physically capable of working indoor or outdoor.