Lead Power Systems Technology Engineer (Hybrid)

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.

The California ISO is committed to the health, safety and work/life integration of its employees and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position would be eligible to participate in a hybrid work capacity.

Relocation assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Director, leads complex engineering projects and assignments, provides expertise on studies, integrates, enhances and supports advanced power systems applications used for operating the grid.  Provides subject matter expertise on the design, engineering and testing of market software (Real Time and Day Ahead Market Applications) and network applications (State Estimator (SE), Real Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA), Dispatcher load Flow, Voltage Stability Application (VSA) and Dynamic Stability Application (DSA) software.  Anticipates, identifies and resolves engineering-related problems or potential problems within assigned areas, and proposes solutions.  Responsible for coordinating software changes with other internal departments and with associated vendors.  Provides technical expertise and business rule support to other departments and external entities relating to reliability coordination and market operations. Leads and participates in various customer initiatives including but not limited to Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), Extended Day Ahead Market (EDAM) and Reliability Coordination (RC).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Leads all functional testing of existing applications and new features added in the domain of Day-Ahead/Real-time Market, Market Quality Solutions and Transmission Network Applications (State Estimator (SE) and Real Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA) in EMS, Voltage Stability Analysis (VSA) and Dynamic Stability Analysis (DSA).  Ensures that software and network models meet the business rules, policies, and operational reliability.
   
• Provides support to the operations floor, including day-ahead, hour-ahead and real-time desks.  Provides training, guidance, and supervisory support for on-call staff.
   
• Anticipates, identifies and resolves engineering-related problems and potential problems within assigned areas. Demonstrates knowledge of policy issues and related matters. 
   
• Maintains the current applications, analyzes system errors from multiple angles, and works with others to determine root causes.  Focuses on prompt recovery of the system and provides timely problem resolution. Partners with other staff to define functional requirements for Market Operations and advanced Network Applications and increase mutual understanding of the capability of optional computer solutions to satisfy needs. 
   
• Integrates, enhances, improves, tests, and supports Day-Ahead Market (DAM), Real-Time Market, Market Quality Services (MQS) applications as well as other advanced applications related to operations.  
   
• Leads duties needed to supplement designing, testing and documenting user training or other such activities, when necessary.  
   
• Provides guidance, sets daily work assignment priorities for staff as needed.  Identifies staffing needs and mentors, coaches and trains staff to optimize the team.  Provides feedback to management regarding staff performance in support of the performance evaluation process.  May participate in department hiring activities such as interviewing and providing feedback on candidates' technical qualifications.
   
• May function as a Department Manager and is accountable to Manager for actions taken in Manager's absence. May be granted additional supervisory authority based on department needs and/or consistent with departmental succession planning

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering with emphasis in Power Systems or Computer Science. Master Degree preferred.
 

Amount of Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus six (6) or more years related experience.
 

Certifications:

Professional Engineering certification is desirable.
 

Type of Experience:

Experience with one or more of the following is required: 

• Power Systems

• Real-time systems

• Power Systems Operations

• Market operation

• Energy Management Systems (EMS)

• Web services

• Advanced network applications

• Oracle

• CIMXML

• SQL

• Requires electric utility/power operations experience. 
   

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrates fundamental management and leadership skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment as a leader, facilitator and team member.  Ability to provide practical and feasible solutions to problems, keeping multiple conflicting considerations into account. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required. Excellent analytical skills are required, including the ability to effectively communicate complex technical materials and concepts in a non-technical manner.  Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment, and work independently. Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority.

The pay range for our Lead Power Systems Technology Engineer position is $139,500 - $195,300 per year.