Generation Interconnection Engineer

Taylor, TX

Full time

R2491

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 inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Engineer 1

• Develops thorough understanding of the entire generation interconnection process from the initial application to the approval for commercial operations.

• Under the direction of management and senior engineers, ensures that the interconnection of generation and energy storage resources are accomplished in a manner that maintains the reliability of the ERCOT System and complies with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards, ERCOT Protocols, Planning Guide and the Operating Guides. Works closely with Market Participants (MPs), including Interconnecting Entities (IEs), Resource entities (REs), Distribution Service Providers (DSPs), and Transmission Service Providers (TSPs).

• Works closely with ERCOT System Operations, System Operations Support, Market Operating Services Support, Client Services, System Planning and Metering.

• Reviews and processes generation interconnection and FIS applications.

• Performs security screening studies to determine first contingency incremental transfer capability for each interconnection request.

• Attends FIS kickoff meetings, communicates and works with MPs and other ERCOT departments to solve issues related to generation interconnection projects.

• May review and approve Reactive Study reports, FIS scope and reports, and Standard Generation Interconnection Agreements.

• May review and approve modeling data for planning phase of the interconnection process.

Engineer 2

• Able to manage the integration of generation and energy storage resources through the entire generation interconnection process, from the initial application to the approval for commercial operations, without close supervision.

• Ensures that the interconnection of generation and energy storage resources are accomplished in a manner that maintains the reliability of the ERCOT System and complies with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards, ERCOT Protocols, Planning Guide and the Operating Guides. Works closely with Market Participants (MPs), including Interconnecting Entities (IEs), Resource entities (REs), Distribution Service Providers (DSPs), and Transmission Service Providers (TSPs).

• Works closely with ERCOT System Operations, System Operations Support, Market Operating Services Support, Client Services, System Planning and Metering.

• Reviews and processes generation interconnection and FIS applications.

• Performs security screening studies to determine first contingency incremental transfer capability for each interconnection request.

• Attends FIS kickoff meetings, communicates and works with MPs and other ERCOT departments to solve issues related to generation interconnection projects.

• Reviews and approves Reactive Study reports, FIS scope and reports, and Standard Generation Interconnection Agreements.

• May provide training and mentorship to Engineer Development Program (EDP) engineers.

• May review and approve modeling data for planning phase of the interconnection process.

• May review commissioning testing data, including but not limited to AVR/PSS, and Reactive tests.

Engineer 3

• Performs all the above duties of an Engineer 2 as well as the following.

• Reviews Commissioning Plan and Energization, Synchronization, and Commissioning checklists.

• Reviews commissioning testing data, including but not limited to AVR/PSS, and Reactive tests.

• Reviews and approves modeling data for planning phase of the interconnection process.

• May support Network Modeling to model the generation resource in the Operations model.

• May develop and maintain tools that automates the studies, reviews, and other processes.

• May provide training to less experienced engineers.

• May review, draft, and implement improvements to the interconnection and modeling process.

Engineer Sr

• Performs all the above duties of an Engineer 3 as well as the following.

• Reviews and approves modeling data for all phases of the interconnection process and supports Network Modeling to model the generation resource in the Operations model.

• May represent ERCOT at stakeholder meetings as directed by management.

• Develops and maintains tools that automates the studies, reviews, and other processes.

• Provides training to less experienced engineers.

• Reviews, drafts, and implements improvements to the interconnection and modeling process.

• May review, draft, and present changes to the Protocols, Guides, procedures, training material for other engineers and for MPs, and other supporting ERCOT documents relative to modeling.

• Analyzes data related to the generation interconnection process and provides to management when required

• May participate in cross-functional teams as a subject matter expert on topics related to interconnection of generation to the ERCOT system.

• Provides training and mentorship to Engineer Development Program (EDP) engineers.

Engineer Lead

• Performs all the above duties of an Engineer Sr. as well as the following.

• Serves as primary subject matter expert in one or more portions of the generation interconnection process.

• Participates in cross-functional teams as a subject matter expert on topics related to interconnection of generation to the ERCOT system.

• Represents ERCOT at stakeholder meetings as directed by management.

• Reviews, drafts, and presents changes to the Protocols, Guides, procedures, training material for other engineers and for MPs, and other supporting ERCOT documents relative to modeling.

• May participate in the interview process for new engineers.

EXPERIENCE

• Engineer 1: No minimum work experience required

• Engineer 2: 1 year relevant work experience required

• Engineer 3: 3 years relevant work experience required

• Engineer Sr: 5 years relevant work experience required

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree : Electrical Engineering or related field (Required)

• or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required

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:

$87,000 - $120,000

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 (https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2023/11/29/Benefits-Highlights-2024.pdf) , 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 (https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2019/09/23/ERCOT\_401K\_Sept\_2019\_FINAL.pdf) 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.