Sr. Project Engineer

Company: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Location: Dallas
Posted on: September 21, 2023

Job Description:

Job Title:Sr. Project EngineerLocation:Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX, Knoxville, TN, Remote/Home BasedJob Summary and Description: EPRI's DERMS and Microgrid Controls team is seeking to fill a Sr. Project Engineer position to manage research projects on emerging technologies in the smart grid including smart inverters, DER Management Systems (DERMS) and Microgrid Controls. The Sr. Project Engineer plans, monitors and provides project administrative, technical, and business leadership for -multiple R&D projects from planning through completion. The role also performs a combination of technical and non-technical project management duties, including coordinating and disseminating project information to project stakeholders and monitoring and reporting on the achievement of project activities on behalf of the project or program managers. Provides project technical and administrative support for project planning, resourcing, execution, and reporting activities for multiple projects, and coordinates with the project technical subject experts. Performs advanced engineering/scientific analysis with minimal direction and supervision. Beginning to demonstrate creativity and ingenuity in providing technical solutions. Works directly with EPRI staff and high interaction with members and industry. This position will be involved in a wide variety of daily activities that might include:

• Managing research projects with guidance from senior staff
• Conducting technical searches and analyzing information in support of the project team.
• Assisting Program managers in assessing customer needs, formulating technical approaches, preparing proposals, technical publications/papers, and making presentations.
• Reviews progress and evaluates results. Makes changes in methods, design or equipment where necessary.
• Presenting research findings directly to members as well as the scientific and engineering community through meetings, conferences, and publication.
• Developing scope for and designing experiments for new DER control-related technologies in simulation, laboratory, and field.
• Solving systems integration challenges with utilities, manufacturers, and other research organizations
• Conducts independent research and begins to manage small, less complex projects
• Provides technical advice and counsel to other professionals within EPRI.
• Exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives of assignment. We are looking for engineers who have strong project management skills, t ake responsibility for the success of individual projects, can drive project execution, and provide technical contributions to EPRI's research needs. This role will involve occasional travel to support projects and technical business development. Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a technical field or equivalent experience required Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • 4-5 years of engineering experience or comparable work/educational experience required, with at least 1 year of experience managing projects
    • Technical knowledge of distributed energy resources such as solar PV, inverters, energy storage, conventional generation, and other DER control systems
    • Familiarity with distribution system operations and grid services
    • Experience executing research projects and working in multidisciplinary teams
    • Project management experience
    • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
    • Strong organization skills and detail orientation.
    • Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze issues, negotiate, prioritize, multi-task and problem solve with minimal supervision.
    • Demonstrates discretion, good judgment, personal motivation, and the ability to work independently.
    • An interest in the electric power industry, and an inquisitive attitude about new technology and emerging research;
    • Required some supervision and guidance to recognize strategic issues and build collaborative projects
    • Responsible for the success of individual projects
    • Works closely with contractors or staff to complete project research
    • May participate in multiple projects
    • Individual contributor
    • May present research results to advisors or technical staff/members
    • Starting to develop technical depth in 1-2 areas
    • Focus on projects within a program Preferred Education :
      • Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related power systems field
      • Project Management Certification or similar experience Ideal Candidate:
        • Education or prior experience in the field of power systems, power electronics, or control systems. Work experience at or with a utility is a plus.
        • Some programming experience in at least one of the following languages: MATLAB, Python, R, Java, C/C++/C#
        • Power system modeling or analysis background, and familiarity with industry or research tools
        • DERMS marketplace familiarity - involved companies, available products, trends
        • Familiarity with Inverter-based DER standards and capabilities (IEEE 1547)
        • Conceptual understanding of Model Predictive Control (MPC), state estimation, and simulation environments. Understanding of numerical optimization algorithms and experience with optimization solvers
        • Familiarity with common DER communication protocols and interfaces
        • Experience publishing research results in conference proceedings or scientific journals
        • Prior international experience and an interest in working with a diverse member base For years, EPRI has led the industry in deploying advanced technologies, such as smart PV inverters and distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS). We are seeking talented individuals to take our research to the next level as we work with utilities to investigate the latest technologies and the challenges of real-world implementation. The salary range for this position is $87,975 USD to $119,025 USD annually.This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI's annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI's standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled Together . . Shaping the Future of Energy.www.epri.com EPRI provides thought leadership, industry expertise, and collaborative value to help the electricity sector identify issues, technology gaps, and broader needs that can be addressed through effective research and development programs for the benefit of society.
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Keywords: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc., Dallas , Sr. Project Engineer, Engineering , Dallas, Texas