System Operations Improvement Engineer - Principal - Electric Reliability Council of Texas

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We accept and celebrate those that join us and recognize that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. Utilizes significant power system operations understanding and experience to lead large initiatives that improve ERCOT’s reliable and efficient operation of the power system. JOB DUTIES Recognized as a subject matter expert, possessing specialized advanced technical skills and competencies. Frequently contributes to the development of new theories and methods using knowledge gained through wide-reaching experiences. Employs highly developed problem resolution skills and expertise as a generalist or specialist using professional concepts and ERCOT objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Exerts significant latitude in determining objectives of assignment. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Wide latitude for decisions within area of expertise; impact generally extends beyond the department. Often advises and leads the work of lower-level employees. Could frequently perform in a program/project leadership role requiring the ability to develop and lead matrixed teams. Interacts with management and senior customers on matters requiring coordination across organizational lines. ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES Provides leadership and expertise for initiatives that include development of, or enhancements to, processes, procedures, programs, tools, training, and rules for system operations and related groups across ERCOT. Provides technical and policy expertise for analyses, reports, projects, and training for a wide variety of disciplines used in system operations, which includes but is not limited to power flow and dynamic analysis, forecasting, ancillary services and frequency control, power market design, real-time operations, optimization techniques, and data analytics. Supports and helps guide event analysis activities. Facilitates implementation of proactive solutions to lessons learned from events and near-misses experienced by ERCOT and other operators. Maintains frequent and open communications with system operators and other staff within operations, planning. markets, compliance, and related groups across ERCOT to facilitate identification of improvement needs and interdependencies. Coordinates across multiple groups within operations, planning, markets, IT, etc. and leads cross-functional teams on process improvement initiatives. Serves as business owner for major IT projects for system operations providing technical assistance and direction to projects as required. Determines what issues need to be brought to upper management attention for action and provide them background information and options for addressing those issues. Drafts Protocol and other revision requests and supports the proposed changes through the stakeholder review process. Actively participates in external industry activities to understand strategic trends and best practices, to communicate ERCOT activities and needs, and to guide rules and standards. Serves on NERC standards drafting teams and other industry committees and working groups. Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Requires minimum 10 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements Requires 5 years applicable experience in System Operations or related areas in excess of degree requirements Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT. EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree: Engineering or related discipline (Required) Master's Degree: Engineering or related discipline (Preferred) PhD : Engineering or related discipline (Preferred) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX: Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at minimum 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management On-site schedules are flexible or may be rotated based on business needs as determined by the Manager Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence. Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-Hybrid, #LI-MH1 ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law. Expected Salary Range: $165,791 - $281,818 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.