Software Power Systems Engineer

Electric Power Engineers (EPE) is hiring a Software Power Systems Engineer for its ENER-i software development team. The role designs, develops, tests, and validates power systems analysis modules and scalable distribution planning workflows, while collaborating with product, engineering, and client delivery teams.

Responsibilities:

• The Software Power Systems Engineer will work as a core member of the ENER-i software development team, owning the power systems engineering behind the platform's analysis modules from algorithm design through production code
• This involves designing, developing, testing, and validating scalable engines and workflows for distribution system analysis. Such analyses include but are not limited to: quasi-static time-series (QSTS) unbalanced power flow, hosting capacity and DER interconnection screening, automated thermal and voltage violation mitigation, value of DER and non-wires alternatives analysis, flexible interconnection, reliability analyses, resiliency analyses, and DERMS operational planning, and long-term capacity and investment planning
• The Software Power Systems Engineer will also engage with the ENER-i product, engineering, and client delivery teams for tasks such as:
• Distribution model conversion, validation, and onboarding (e.g., CYME, Synergi, WindMil, OpenDSS)
• Translating utility planning practices and criteria into technical specifications
• Technical design reviews and architecture decisions for analysis engines
• Validation of platform results against commercial tools and field data
• Performance benchmarking and scale testing on utility-sized models
• Client technical workshops, demonstrations, and user training
• Perform and deliver ENER-i based distribution planning studies when needed
• Design and implement production-grade Python libraries and services for distribution analysis, power flow orchestration, and optimization within the ENER-i platform
• Scale simulations across thousands of feeders and full-year time-series through parallelization, cloud batch processing, and performance tuning – including compiled languages (e.g., Rust, C++) where it matters
• Build and maintain distribution data models and model converters that bring utility network models (CYME, Synergi, WindMil, OpenDSS, GIS) into a common, validated representation
• Develop algorithms for automated mitigation, hosting capacity, DER valuation, and grid planning using optimization (LP/MILP), heuristics, and data-driven methods
• Establish test automation, validation suites, and engineering benchmarks that keep platform results accurate and trustworthy
• Serve as a distribution subject matter expert to developers, product owners, and product managers; review requirements and user stories for engineering correctness
• Propose and prototype new ENER-i modules and help shape the technical roadmap with product management
• Mentor engineers and developers, contribute to code and design reviews, and raise the bar on engineering practices across the team
• Represent EPE through publications, open-source contributions, and industry working groups where appropriate
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a power systems focus, or a Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience
• 3+ years (Engineer III) or 7+ years (Principal) of combined experience in distribution system analysis and software development; national laboratory, research, utility, and vendor experience all count
• Expert understanding of three-phase, unbalanced distribution systems, power flow formulations, and distribution planning practices
• Hands-on experience with at least one distribution modeling tool (e.g., OpenDSS, CYME, Synergi, WindMil, or GridLAB-D), including its APIs or automation interfaces
• Strong Python software engineering skills beyond scripting: packaging, typing, automated testing, Git, code review, and CI/CD
• A track record of building tools that other people use: libraries, applications, or open-source projects with real users
• Experience applying numerical methods and optimization (e.g., Pyomo, JuMP, Gurobi, HiGHS) to power systems problems
• Experience working with large data sets (time-series, AMI, SCADA) using tools such as pandas/Polars, SQL, or Parquet
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, particularly with respect to explaining complex technical matters
• Proven team player skills with ability to build and maintain internal and external relationships
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies (e.g., Scrum)
• OpenDSS experience is a plus
• Proficiency in a compiled or high-performance language such as Rust, C++, Julia, or Java
• Contributions to open-source power systems tools (e.g., OpenDSS/AltDSS, DiTTo, GridLAB-D, PowerModelsDistribution, pandapower)
• Experience with cloud-native development, containers, and distributed or high-performance computing (e.g., AWS, Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with DER integration topics such as hosting capacity, IEEE 1547, DERMS, flexible interconnection, non-wires alternatives, and electrification load forecasting
• Breadth across transmission, controls, or T&D co-simulation
• Familiarity with GIS tools (preferably Esri) and utility network data models
• Experience leveraging machine learning and AI tools responsibly to improve engineering quality and productivity
• Publications or participation in IEEE PES or similar industry working groups