Reliability Engineer jobs in Sacramento, CA

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.

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

Relocation Assistance is available.

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Manager, provides engineering support to Reliability Coordination as well as Real-Time Grid Operations and Market Operations.  Responsible for establishing and updating the operating limits to the Grid, documenting the associated operating procedures to support the safe and reliable operation of the system and modeling the market impacts of transmission constraints. Participates in the development of ISO policies and methodologies associated with the reliable operation of the transmission grid and the efficient operation of the ISO market.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Responsible for developing operating requirements and instructions in the outage plans and operating procedures to adhere to the NERC Reliability Standards, other requirements in accordance with pre-established guidelines and systems’ physical limitations, as well as pre-existing policies, practices and procedures.
• Prepares and conducts operating studies including power flow, contingency, short circuit, stability, and post-transient analyses, to maintain reliable operation of the grid for both Day Ahead and Real Time as needed.
• Provides back office support to Control Room shifted Reliability and Market Operations Engineers (RMOE) on day-to-day core job responsibilities such as; performing operating studies and coordinating outages with entities to develop Operating Plans prior to D 3, Operations Planning Analysis  and creating/enforcing/validating the transmission constraints for the ISO Day Ahead Market to ensure efficient market operations as well as RC West area reliable grid operations.
• Partners and provides RMOE perspective in assisting with Full Network Model (FNM) promotion process with Operations – Planning. Ensures the streamlined inclusion of requests from RMOEs into the FNM process deadlines then provides feedback to department engineers. 
• Assists in the onboarding of new team members. Provides detailed training on tools and processes to new engineers in order to prepare them for different assignments.
• Provides Engineering support and on technology enhancement projects requested by RMOE team, performs UAT, and acts as the liaison for RMOE team interfacing with internal Technology teams and external vendors. Tracks and follows up on enhancements as necessary.
• Serves as Operations Engineering expertise and support to other ISO Divisions and Departments as appropriate. Provides specific feedback and essential details relating to the ISO/RC West controlled grid and control area to ISO management.
• May represent ISO Operations Engineering interest in applicable WECC and other industry meetings as assigned.
• Develops, implements, and documents automated computer programs/tools, and other advanced analysis methods, to allow for comprehensive monitoring of operational performance of the transmission system and detection of transmission system problems.
• Solicits, collects, and analyzes issues reported by Control Room shifted RMOEs to provide support to OES Leadership team, as well as other Departments within the organization, in solving System Operations related issues.
• Maintains Control Room Shift RMOE Qualifications. May provide Control Room RMOE Day shift coverage on rare occasion if business needs arise.

Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) in Electrical Engineering; concentration in Power preferred.  
• Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. preferred.

Certifications

• NERC Reliability Authority (or System Operator) Certification required or must be able to obtain NERC Certification within six months of employment.

Amount of Experience

• Two (2) or more years related experience.

Type of Experience

• Experience conducting simulation and analytical studies of electric power systems including transient stability and load flow analysis. 
• Knowledge or experience with simulation programs such as PSS/E, PSLF, PowerWorld, VSAT, TSAT or EMS system desired. 
• Familiarity with California Electric System and Market
• Electric utility industry experience including emphasis in any combination of the following: 
  • Operations Planning
  • Real Time Operations
  • Transmission Planning
  • Electricity Markets
  • Renewable Integration
  • Protection relays
  • EMS

Additional skills and abilities

• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.  
• Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail.  
• Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.  
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential.  
• Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations.  
• Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority.  

Additional Information

The pay range for the Reliability and Market Operations Engineer is $98,250 - $163,750/ annually.