Sr Power Systems Engineer - Development (Hybrid)

at  California ISO

Company Description
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California’s power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.
As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.
The California ISO’s function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company’s planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently—managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own—making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE.

Job Description
Under the general direction of the Director, works on highly complex power system analytical assignments, provides senior technical expertise and leads software functional testing, integration, functional enhancement and support of both electricity market systems and advanced power systems applications. Develops test cases to ensure that software changes are consistent with intended business requirements to minimize exposure to unintended consequences of variances. Oversees the software design to implement policy changes and new initiatives. Partners with other internal departments and with associated vendors as appropriate to implement software changes. Provides technical expertise and business rules support to other departments and external entities related to electricity market applications and power systems operations.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION

• A Bachelor’s degree required. Master degree preferred.

AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE

• Five or more years experience.

TYPE OF EXPERIENCE

• Requires training and experience or graduate level course work in optimization. Requires experience in the two or more of the following areas: knowledge of power system industry structure and electric utility operations, preferably in a similar ISO with market design or operation background; computer techniques for power systems analysis; power system operations, control, and planning, real-time power systems applications; advanced network applications such as voltage and dynamic stability analysis applications of mathematical optimization methods to solve power systems problems; common information model (CIM) and extension to market data; relational database and SQL language; software tools and programming concepts. In addition, knowledge of regulatory and economic analyses is preferred.

• Acts as a technical expert to the project implementation team to enable successful implementation of key projects and initiatives from inception to production delivery. Participates in project teams involving project management office, policy, legal, and other ISO’s operations business units ensuring “software development lifecycle” of complex power systems software applications are successfully implemented and key personnel and IT experts, are performing on the team design and enabling new systems to support corporate initiatives.
• Performs complex mathematical and engineering analysis of market software and advanced power systems applications results to determine optimality of solutions with respect to incurred cost and impact on reliability of the power system grid.
• Performs the duties needed to supplement designing, testing, documenting, user training or other such activities associated with market applications, power system advanced applications, and other support legacy applications, including coordination with external market participants during market simulations, and responding to market participants disputes or inquiries when necessary.
• Ensures complete and accurate documentation of implemented application or modification is developed and maintained to provide permanent records or system component and backup material with focus on adherence to requirements and compatibility of all segments of the project including the quality of work done by others.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of policy issues and related matters, and works under minimum supervision. Anticipates, identifies and resolves implementation, design and integration-related problems or potential problems within assigned areas, and may propose solutions to such issues. May propose solutions to issues and problems outside of assigned areas of responsibility.
  Qualifications