Power Systems Research Engineer – Energy Infrastructure Modeling

Power System Engineer Opportunity At PNNL

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments referred to as directorates within the lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our science and technology directorates include national security, earth and biological sciences, physical and computational sciences, and energy and environment. In addition, we have an environmental molecular sciences laboratory, a department of energy, office of science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The energy and environment directorate (EED) delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the department of energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation's power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The electricity infrastructure and buildings division (EI&BD), part of EED, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy. Within this division, the power system modeling group (PSMG) develops advanced simulation, analysis, and optimization tools to understand and enhance grid performance across all levels, from the bulk energy system to the distribution grid.

Responsibilities

PNNL seeks a creative and inter-disciplinary power system engineer to develop model enhancements for conventional power system models (primarily production cost models and expansion planning models) to represent changing system constraints and dependencies imposed by the rapid growth of our nation's energy system. The selected candidate is expected to participate in science-based, mission-focused research to develop complex solutions integrating a wide range of power system tools to enhance the security of our nation's energy system. The successful candidate will use integrated, multi-scale models spanning capacity expansion, production cost modeling, and powerflow to explore and quantify the impacts of real-world events on energy system performance. The candidate will use these tools to develop and investigate mitigating techniques to affordably improve the reliability and resilience of critical energy infrastructure.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise within multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on power system optimization, resource adequacy, reliable capacity expansion, and the related policies that must be enacted.
• Provide electric system simulations with a good working knowledge of grid topology and transmission planning, operational costs and optimization, system constraints, and financial analysis.
• Lead model enhancements activities and participate in the design of simulation experiments, evaluation of technology performance, or development of scientific and engineered solutions to assess or solve a variety of technical problems.
• Broadly apply theory to the development and implementation of new tools including applications, algorithms, models, and visualization.
• Publish research results, targeting peer reviewed journals and other written reports.
• Build strong teams for project execution that transfer knowledge through the organization.
• Mentor junior staff and other engineers and collaborate with senior level staff from within PNNL.
• Travel to execute projects, build relationships, and grow leadership in the field.
• Manage individual tasks or projects; including directing other staff, ensuring milestones are met, and communicating with senior management.
• Ensure safe operating practices are followed.
• Effectively communicate engineering challenges and solutions to a wide range of audiences.
• Effectively communicate with senior engineers to ensure high-quality delivery of research projects on budget and on time.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity.

On-site in Richland, WA is strongly preferred; remote work may be considered.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant production cost and expansion planning model work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant production cost and expansion planning model work experience -OR-
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant production cost and expansion planning model experience

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in using and/or contributing to the development of large-scale power system optimization models, using either commercial or open-source tools.
• Understanding of power grid operations, transmission and resource planning, and long-term investment.
• Knowledge of utility industry economics and business processes.
• Broadly apply principles, standards work, theories and concepts of systems engineering to the development and implementation of new tools including applications, algorithms, models, and visualization techniques.
• Experience in grid applications, software development, or active participation in related national and international forums for power system modeling.
• Experience in stochastic optimization and dynamic programming.
• Fluency in one or more programming or scripting languages (e.g., GAMS, Julia, perl, Python, etc.).
• Experience working in an inter-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated success of articulating research through publications, particularly in top-tier journals.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship
• Background investigation: applicants selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug testing: all security clearance positions are testing designated positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite questionnaire for national security positions (QNSP). Note: applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

This position is a testing designated position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the controlled substances act and the PNNL workplace substance abuse program.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of integrity, creativity, collaboration, impact, and courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them! At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an equal employment opportunity employer. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an equal opportunity employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance,