Southwest Power Pool

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Lead Engineer, Transmission Planning Policy (Architecture)



Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

  • Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
  • Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
  • Relocation bonus (if applicable)
  • Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
  • Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Lead Engineer range - $135,000 - $158,625

 Join our team as a Lead Engineer in Transmission Planning Policy!

Are you ready to take on a dynamic and impactful role at the heart of grid reliability? As the Lead Engineer, Transmission Planning Policy, you'll be at the forefront of shaping the future of transmission planning! In this role, you will drive the development, support, and analysis of key transmission planning functions while providing expert guidance and mentorship to a talented team. You'll play a pivotal role in supporting various stakeholder working groups and collaborating across departments to achieve breakthrough results. Your expertise will be critical in tackling complex issues, pioneering new concepts, and addressing policy matters—all aimed at advancing the transmission planning process. You'll also have the opportunity to lead the charge in developing cutting-edge planning techniques, improving processes, and refining engineering measurements.

Collaboration with SPP membership on crucial issues will be key, and your deep understanding of the SPP transmission grid, OATT, and planning process will be essential in making an impact. You'll be influencing decisions that directly contribute to grid reliability, ensuring that the grid remains robust, resilient, and prepared for the demands of the future. In this role, your communication skills will shine as you engage with SPP staff, stakeholders, and regulators, providing insightful guidance, coordination, and presentations. You'll be the go-to expert, making a tangible difference in ensuring the continued reliability and success of the grid. This is an opportunity to be a driving force in shaping the future of transmission planning and making a lasting impact on grid reliability. Ready to make a difference? We want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering Concepts and Tools:

  • Develop expertise with the SPP planning policy concepts and processes.

  • Responsible for the development, use, and instruction of transmission planning tools and software such as PROMOD, Powerbase, PAT, PSS/E, Capacity Expansion software, and Microsoft Office.

  • Exhibit a high level of understanding of key SPP power systems, including knowledge of transmission system issues and concerns.

Engineering Responsibilities:

  • Facilitate complex technical processes directed by ad hoc stakeholder committees, Integrated Transmission Planning, or any engineering data coordination efforts associated with Transmission Planning.

  • Facilitate and implement the development, maintenance, and improvement of technical engineering processes, procedures, and documentation used in Transmission Planning.

  • Work with neighboring ISOs, RTOs, and other Planning Authorities to coordinate the SPP transmission planning process, results, and analysis with neighboring entities.

Governing Processes:

  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of specific governing documents and processes as required, including SPP By-Laws, Planning Criteria, and Working Group structures.

  • Ensure the planning process meets industry or tariff requirements and understand how these requirements impact the planning process.

  • Provide updates to governing documents on policy-related language that needs to be incorporated for future processes and planning.

Stakeholder Relationships:

  • Develop and maintain positive technical, supervisory, leadership, and/or management level relationships to accomplish SPP objectives.

  • Lead specific assignments to develop technical stakeholder relationships, collect data, and share results, facilitating discussions to reach positive stakeholder consensus.

  • Be prepared to fulfill a staff secretary role for an SPP working group, advisory group, or task force, if called upon.

Engineering Judgment:

  • Exercise proficient decision-making skills for technical studies and services, adapting between standard and non-standard techniques.

  • Develop project management skills by taking responsibility for independent projects and their completion.

Teamwork and Leadership Skills:

  • Provide key technical support in a teamwork environment.

  • Independently handle several technical processes, studies, or tasks with limited supervision.

  • Lead advanced studies and technical processes with minimal supervision.

  • Proactively identify inefficiencies and lead the development of solutions.

  • Provide mentorship to lower-level staff.

This is your chance to be part of a passionate team that's dedicated to ensuring the reliability of the grid. With opportunities for growth and innovation, you'll have the chance to lead critical projects that will shape the future of the energy industry. Ready to make an impact? We want to hear from you!

To be successful as the Lead Engineer, Transmission Planning, we're looking for:

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering, this degree should:
    • Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation),
    • Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
  • 12 years' of relevant Engineering experience; OR
  • 11 years' of relevant Engineering experience with a Master's Degree in Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical or Systems Engineering OR
  • 10 years' of relevant Engineering experience with a Doctoral degree in Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering
  • A Professional Engineer license is required for this role; however, 12 years' relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Professional Engineer License
  • Advanced knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Regional Tariff, and SPP Change Control procedures
  • Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices 
  • Strong inter-personal and team building skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
  • Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
  • Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems 
  • Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Access
  • Ability to develop and troubleshoot automation, including code written in Python

Preferred:

  • Graduate level degree in related field of study
  • Electric Utility Industry experience
  • A Professional Engineer License

 Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

 Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires moderate travel (approximately 20%)

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview. 

Education

Required
  • Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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