Principal Research Engineer - Power Systems

Energy Systems Engineering Group Position

At PNNL, the Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. The Energy Systems Engineering Group (ESEG) is focused on developing software tools and computing methods to speed-up and scale the design and operations of energy systems while maintaining the security of critical assets and buildings.

Responsibilities of this position include:

• Researching, developing, designing, and testing large, IoT scale, distributed electrical/electronic, telecommunication, software systems, as well as their operations and control with related optimization techniques.
• Identifying system requirements and developing system architectures of large distributed systems including electric power and telecommunication system components and controls, software and embedded firmware components and their secure management, compute elements spanning cloud to edge, and all associated interfaces.
• Adapting and applying information theory, communication theory, and control theory to design intelligent energy systems with desired behaviors to increase the reliability, capacity, and performance of the nation's electric grid.
• Leading the development of new project opportunities with program managers in sponsoring organizations.
• Applying systems thinking and systems engineering approaches to integrate power systems, software systems, telecommunications systems, or other technical domains in system analysis, design, and implementation.
• Effectively facilitating communication across a multi-disciplinary team, laboratory leadership and external stakeholders.

Minimum qualifications include:

• BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant work experience -OR- MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR- PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with design and/or operation of information and communication technology solutions for the electric energy industry across multiple network domains and technologies.
• Knowledge and experience in telecommunications system networks, architecture, operation, electronics, management software, and system modeling and simulation.
• Knowledge and experience in IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) standards, equipment, and application in LAN and WAN environments.
• Knowledge and experience in Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) equipment and requirements as applicable to the electric utility industry.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills displayed in team leadership and external stakeholder interactions.
• Knowledge and experience in power system operations and management.
• Experience with telecommunication systems modeling and analysis tools such as NS3, OPNet, CORE, EDX, Planet.
• Knowledge of power system model and simulation tools.
• Experience with co-simulation, for example with HELICS or other co-simulation or federated simulation tools to support integrated power and communication systems analysis.
• Experience with developing and applying system architectures for complex systems.
• Experience with software development using Python, C++, Java, MATLAB, etc.
• Knowledge of telecommunication protocols and standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, 802.11, MPLS, carrier ethernet, SONET, 3gpp.
• Knowledge of information models and standards utilized in power system industry such as IEC 61970/61968 common information model (CIM), MultiSpeak, IEEE 1547, IEC 61850, IEEE 2030.5, IEEE 1815, IEC 60255-118-1.

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. 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.

PNNL 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. 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.

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, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a "country of risk" without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle.

Rockstar Rewards:

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
• * Research Associates excluded.

All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Notice to Applicants:

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules. As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary: USD $169,600.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary: USD $268,100.00/Yr.