Senior Engineer, Operations and Performance - Battery Storage - Plus Power
Houston, TX
About the Job
Company Overview
Plus Power is an energy storage market leader, with a market-leading 10+ GW portfolio across more than 25 US states and Canadian provinces that will transform North American electric grids into cleaner and more versatile critical infrastructure.
Standalone energy storage is rapidly transforming the North American energy markets, because it is cheaper than new natural gas plants, faster to build than fossil peakers or transmission, and able to perform diverse energy services. Plus Power partners with electricity system operators, utilities, and investors to originate, develop, finance, own and operate standalone energy storage projects that provide critical services to the wholesale electric market. Plus Power's team applies an intentional mindset to energy storage development by using a data-driven approach to development and operations.
At Plus Power, we are focused on solving hard climate problems, profitably. We are growing fast, and value candidates who, like us, share a focus on setting high expectations, owning and learning from mistakes in the spirit of radical transparency, and are committed to internal partnering as a key element of our ideas meritocracy. Our team praises Plus Power's culture and excels through our game-changing mission and supportive ecosystem.
About the Role
Plus Power recruits outstanding energy industry professionals who are driven to develop, build and operate assets safely and reliably to decarbonize the power markets while growing their careers. Our team looks for data-driven and fact-based mindsets, engaging and collaborative behaviors, and personal growth-focused professionals.
We are seeking a Senior Reliability and Performance Engineer to join the Asset Operations Team. In this position, you will play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a program that will ensure safe operations, optimized performance, and regulatory compliance of our Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) assets. You will be responsible for monitoring and analyzing operational performance, trouble shooting and conducting deep dive diagnostics, coordinating with engineers to develop and implement solutions, working with industry groups and grid operators including ISOs (Independent System Operators), whilst driving issue resolution through coordinated mitigation planning to ensure we optimize our assets.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor, analyze and communicate system performance data to identify trends, anomalies, and potential issues affecting asset performance.
- Conduct operational assessments and risk analyses to identify potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement in asset operations.
- Perform/support root cause analyses of system failures or disturbances and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Work with internal engineering, commercial teams as well as external vendor teams to develop solutions to enhance asset performance, including the design and implementation of robust monitoring, controls, and operating processes.
- Implement and coordinate necessary controls to ensure adherence to NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation), ISOs, PPA (Power Purchase Agreements) contracts and other regulatory standards with the appropriate level of compliance evidence
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on data-driven insights and create/capture best practices to enhance engineering performance, asset performance and support grid reliability.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for optimization and modernization to improve asset operations, system reliability and performance.
- Lead or participate in projects related to asset management, market trading, technology integration and operations that enhance asset performance.
- Partner with Asset Managers to represent the organization to utilities & ISOs as needed
Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Power Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 6+ years of experience in reliability engineering, power system analysis, asset management or a related field in the electric utility industry, with a focus on BESS preferred.
- Knowledge of NERC reliability standards and requirements, ISO (Independent System Operators) and Utility experience preferred.
- Experience in the design, operation, monitoring, and maintenance of power system assets, including grid operation, energy management, and performance optimization.
- Understanding of energy markets, locational marginal price formation and the various elements that contribute to the price formation.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data to drive informed decision-making.
- Ability to explain complex technical analysis in a simplified matter to the internal management team and/or external parties.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a cross-functional environment with both technical and non-technical team members who are geographically dispersed.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and departments.
- Strong presentation and written communication skills.
- Relevant experience in programming and data management: working knowledge of SQL; experience in UI design and Python programming language is a plus.
- Ability to connect databases to modeling tools using SQL and PowerBI.
- Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office products – Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
Compensation and Benefits
Highly competitive total compensation from one of North America's leading energy storage developers, owners, and operators. Flexible, work from home or hybrid work from Plus Power's offices in San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, and Palm Beach.
The expected salary range* for this position begins at $150,000. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant experience, skills, qualifications, geographic labor market, and other factors consistent with applicable law. This position is also eligible to participate in our annual bonus program.
Plus Power offers a comprehensive benefits program, unlimited vacation, flexible remote work, educational assistance, parental leave, and a highly engaging company culture with opportunities for in-person connection and learning and growth.
The deadline* for applying to this role is 30 days from the date of initial posting (07/24/2024).
Plus Power is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds can thrive. Plus Power is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
*This information is provided in accordance with applicable law.