Associate Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

About us

National Grid is hiring an Associate Engineer for our Transmission Planning department in Waltham, MA. Power systems experience strongly preferred. This is a hybrid role ((Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut), with visits to the Waltham office approximately 1-2 days a week.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

Perform Transmission Planning functions within the Transmission Planning group responsible for New England. Establish transmission development/expansion plans for the optimized, safe and effective management of our transmission assets with respect to thermal (powerflow), stability, voltage, and short circuit requirements.

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct analytical studies for transmission system expansion, interconnection of new generation, and load to the transmission system. These analytical studies consider power system thermal, voltage, dynamic and short circuit performance as they relate to system reliability, economics, and operating flexibility.
• Perform thermal capability analysis (ratings) for transmission lines, power transformers, circuit breakers and switches. Develop equipment ratings and ensure compliance with applicable NERC/NPCC/ISO-NE standards.
• Perform all computer modeling (load flow, short circuit, dynamics) necessary to conduct power flow and stability studies for Transmission Planning as well as other National Grid engineering functions.
• Utilize a team approach to ensure consistent and thorough analysis in all Transmission Planning studies.
• Incorporate information from transmission asset management on equipment condition into planning studies to develop comprehensive area solutions.
• Document study findings in reports, prepare and defend recommendations in presentations to executives responsible for funding decisions.
• Present study reports and findings to the Independent System Operator – New England (ISO-NE) committees for various approvals.
• Represent National Grid interests on regional and local levels in various transmission planning working groups.
• Work in a project team environment interacting with individuals with various technical specialties and industry experience.
• Fulfill the role of a project sponsor during study phase of projects to ensure that projects are fully scoped in a timely manner.
• Resolve technical issues that may arise in different phases of a project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering school required. Master's Degree in Electrical Power Systems highly preferred.
• Knowledge of power systems strongly preferred including power system protection and reliability philosophy, three-phase power system theory/operation both static and dynamic, short circuit theory/application, motor and generation theory/application, reactive compensation theory.
• Some experience with power flow, short circuit and transient stability analyses preferred, but not required.
• Work ethic that includes internal and external customer focus, flexibility, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Ability to understand commercial aspects of transmission projects.
• Demonstrate a high level of personal initiative an ability to interact with company personnel, external engineering firms, regulatory representatives, and ISO representatives in a positive, team building manner.

More Information

Salary: $85,000 - $100,000

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.

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