Senior Reliability Assessments Engineer

WECC promotes the reliability of the Bulk Power System in the Western Interconnection by identifying and mitigating risks affecting the electric grid. The Senior Reliability Assessments Engineer leads and conducts reliability assessments, applies modeling and analysis tools, collaborates with industry stakeholders, develops assessment methods, and provides technical leadership to committees and colleagues.

Responsibilities:

• Propose, lead, and conduct WECC/NERC reliability assessments based on emerging issues and trends using commercially available modeling and analysis software
• Apply deterministic, probabilistic, or other model types to support adequacy studies and other reliability assessments
• Provide technical leadership and partnership with industry groups such as national labs; regulators; federal, state, and provincial government organizations; non-governmental organizations; and academia to identify potential reliability risks and mitigation options
• Identify the need for, and support the development of, new software tools and processes to assess data and power system reliability
• Deliver clear, concise presentations to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences
• Support and provide technical leadership to WECC and NERC committees, task forces, and work groups
• Engage stakeholders to identify and assess reliability challenges in the short-term to long-term periods
• Provide technical expertise and support for other activities at WECC (e.g., standards development, oversight, event analysis, situation awareness)
• Work with colleagues in the ERO Enterprise to plan reliability assessments, identify the lessons learned, and apply best practices
• Mentor other engineers and analysts and work with management to find opportunities for others to take part in industry initiatives

Requirements:

• While WECC's headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this position is remote-eligible for candidates residing in the lower 48 states
• Time spent traveling is expected to be a minimum of 15% for this role, though business needs may require additional travel on occasion
• Hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, statistics, economics, or a related technical field, or have an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience
• Have at least eight years of experience in areas such as production cost modeling, resource adequacy modeling, resource planning, or capacity expansion modeling
• You should also have a history of identifying emerging reliability risks and leading reliability-related analyses
• Have extensive experience using production cost or resource adequacy tools, such as Astrape SERVM, Energy Exemplar Plexos, ABB GridView, and GE MARS
• Have a record of conducting assessments and developing technical reports with a strong understanding of reliability risks to the BPS
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with stakeholders and member groups with differing interests
• Have proven decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Are excited to advocate for reliability in industry groups, bringing back vital information for WECC's strategic decision-making
• Have excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Possess high levels of self-motivation, initiative, intellectual curiosity, and accountability
• Desire to act as a leader, sharing expertise with staff and other departments at WECC
• An advanced degree in engineering, statistics, economics, or business administration is preferred