Grid Connection Engineer
Houston, Texas, United States
Senior Grid Interconnection Engineer - Boston or Houston Position OverviewI am partnered with a leading organization within the renewable energy sector is seeking a Senior Grid Interconnection Engineer to support utility-scale power projects through the full interconnection and project lifecycle. This position will provide technical leadership on grid connection activities from early development through design, construction, commissioning, and commercial operation. The engineer will work across internal teams and with utilities, transmission providers, system operators, engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, contractors, and other external stakeholders. The role will also involve reviewing technical work, resolving complex power-system and interconnection issues, coordinating external engineering resources, and providing technical guidance to more junior members of the engineering team. Responsibilities Serve as a senior technical resource for grid interconnection matters and maintain working relationships with applicable transmission providers, utilities, and system operators throughout project development and execution.Assist project development activities by evaluating interconnection considerations, feasibility, technical requirements, and associated costs, as well as supporting preparation and submission of interconnection requests.Provide engineering input on grid connection requirements throughout the project lifecycle, including development, engineering, construction, commissioning, and transition into commercial operation.Work with Energy Management on technical aspects of PPA-related activities and support NERC compliance efforts where grid-related engineering input is required.Direct and review third-party engineering work associated with interconnection and provide technical assistance for projects progressing through construction and toward COD.Review and evaluate electrical studies required for connection to the transmission system and assess their technical conclusions.Work directly with generation equipment suppliers on grid compliance requirements and evaluate the interaction between generating facilities and the transmission/distribution network through appropriate power-system simulations.Coordinate electrical engineering requirements and technical interfaces with the applicable interconnecting utility.Review and coordinate technical documentation associated with interconnection requests, connection authorization, and ongoing operation and maintenance requirements, including applicable connection, operating, and power purchase agreements.Evaluate technical requirements associated with ancillary services and grid-support functions and develop solutions to satisfy transmission system requirements.Track changes to applicable grid codes, regulations, and technical requirements and determine their potential effect on projects.Manage and participate in electrical design reviews involving consultants, contractors, subcontractors, utilities, transmission providers, and system operators.Review technical questions and Requests for Information and coordinate appropriate responses.Evaluate available transmission capacity within prospective project areas by reviewing studies and technical information provided by transmission organizations.Direct and review interconnection studies during both project development and construction.Provide technical mentoring and direction to less experienced members of the grid interconnection engineering group. Required Capabilities Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally for project meetings and site-based support.Ability to work effectively within a global business environment and matrix organizational structure.Comfortable collaborating with engineering, development, commercial, operations, and other multidisciplinary teams, including colleagues and stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Effective written and verbal communication.Strong attention to detail and ability to manage technical documentation.Ability to independently manage complex assignments while balancing multiple projects and deadlines.Strong planning and time-management capabilities.Valid driver's license.Proficiency with Microsoft Office and AutoCAD. Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.Master's degree in Power Systems preferred.7–10 years of engineering experience, including approximately 5 years working with utility-scale electrical power systems.At least 2 years of experience involving the interconnection of power generation resources to transmission-level systems.Fluent English communication skills.Strong understanding of electrical power systems covering generation, substations, transmission, and distribution.Understanding of how U.S. ISOs and Transmission Owners operate and interact within the interconnection process.Knowledge of the technical requirements established by ISOs and Transmission Owners.Experience with grid interconnection agreements.Broad electrical power-system engineering experience.Experience supporting or preparing interconnection applications.Ability to coordinate electrical and SCADA design interfaces associated with an interconnecting utility.Experience with electrical grid interconnection studies, including system impact, facilities, fault, loss, relay coordination, and related studies.Experience with power-system modeling and simulation software, including platforms such as DigSILENT, ETAP, NEPLAN, or equivalent tools.Familiarity with NERC and FERC reliability requirements and applicable NEC, NESC, IEEE, and ANSI engineering standards.