Principle Transmission Planning Engineer

AMERICAN MUNICIPAL POWER, INC.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This position has the ability to report out of Columbus, OH (Hybrid) or remotely out of AMP's footprint
Position Title: Principal Transmission Planning Engineer
Reports To: Director of Transmission Planning
FLSA Status: Exempt
The Principal Transmission Planning Engineer will conduct detailed technical modeling and analysis, perform as project leader, and conduct assignments requiring mastery of Transmission Planning and Project Development functions. The Principal Engineer must have extensive experience with modeling and planning of the bulk electric power system and exhibit strong technical skills necessary to support the economic development activities of AMP Members. The Principal Transmission Planning Engineer conducts studies in adherence to criteria from AMP Transmission, PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM), Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO), ReliabilityFirst Corporation, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
Basic Functions:
1. Conduct power flow, short circuit, and dynamic simulations using commercially available computer software such as PSS/E, TARA, CAPE, and ASPEN.
2. Develop solutions to mitigate reliability issues based on AMPT Transmission Planning Criteria as well as PJM, MISO, and adjacent Transmission Owners' (TO) Planning Criteria.
3. Develop and maintain strong working business knowledge/acumen of applicable RTO planning rules/processes, as well as regional and local transmission systems.
4. Support AMPT PJM Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) and Multiregional Modeling Working Group (MMWG) activities by establishing, maintaining, and ensuring an accurate representation of AMPT's transmission system for various electric system models. Those models involved include power flow, dynamic, and short circuit.
5. Identify and develop AMPT transmission opportunities for the purchase of existing and/or planning for future transmission facilities. Develop asset valuations, present opportunities to AMP Members, create conceptual plans and coordinate purchase/planning activities with AMP Members, AMPT personnel, and consultants.
6. Oversee, develop, and maintain AMP and AMPT planning information including TO transmission project costs, maps, AMPT facility data, and AMP Member transmission facilities.
7. Coordinate with AMPT Engineering and Operations, and AMP Members to develop scope of work for engineering and construction. Participate in project field/site walkdowns, attend meetings/conference calls as needed.
8. Build and maintain excellent relationships with AMP Members, RTO staff, stakeholder representatives, and individual TO representatives.
9. Demonstrate self-sufficiency and support AMP Transmission team by demonstrating accountability, consistency, and cooperation with all departments.
10. Ensures all work activities are performed in accordance with the policies, practices, standards, and rules of the company and complies with the regulations and procedures required by external agencies.
11. Develop and maintain project documentation to support AMP Transmission team.
12. Oversee the work of consultants as required.
Essential Functions:
1. Coordinate with AMP Members in developing models, data collection, conducting short-circuit and dynamic analysis, assessing opportunities and proposing recommendation based on study results for the development of new AMP Transmission projects.
2. Interface and coordinate with key external stakeholders such as AMP Members, PJM, MISO, adjacent TOs, developers, and other entities related the planning of the transmission system.
3. Lead and perform reliability and/or strategic scenario-based planning driven studies on a variety of existing and forecasted system conditions. These studies include voltage, thermal, PV, QV, transfer limit, short circuit, and transient stability assessments.
4. Possess the technical experience and knowledge to make technical decisions based on calculated risks. Use of technical experience to develop robust, reliable, low-cost solutions to improve AMP Member reliability and support AMP Member economic development activities.
5. Lead in the preparation and presentation of complex technical subjects, clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Projects credibility and competency on technical issues and has highly developed presentation and report writing skills.
6. Coordinate and conduct training sessions to other Engineers. Interface with AMP Transmission Operations, Project Management, and Engineering Groups to understand and mitigate electric system needs, challenges, and enable reliable future growth.
7. Lead and/or performs power flow, short-circuit and dynamic model development, assess options, perform analysis, and recommend solutions based on adjacent TO plans in support of the planning of the AMP Transmission system.
8. Perform various Transmission Planning functions, such as, maintaining models, creating supporting documentation, and supporting various PJM planning activities (e.g., MMWG and RTEP).
9. Document and communicate results and recommendations as appropriate including data manipulation, report writing, and summary presentations.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, & Qualifications:
1. Minimum 15 years of experience in Electric Utility Engineering including Transmission Planning, Transmission Operations, Transmission Relay Engineering, and/or Substation engineering is required. Minimum of 10 years of specialized experience in transmission planning and software simulations (as part of the 15 year experience requirement) is required.
2. Must have a four-year ABET accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) degree preferred.
3. Licenses & Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) certification preferred.
4. Minimum 5 years of experience in RTO regional and local transmission planning processes. Knowledge of NERC, individual transmission owner planning criteria and guidelines.
5. Minimum ten years of experience with commercially available power system software such as PSSE, TARA, ASPEN, and CAPE.
6. Working knowledge of creating and/or maintaining transmission planning models. Must demonstrate a high degree of expertise in conducting power flow, short-circuit and dynamic studies.
7. Working knowledge of applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards and Regional Reliability Organization (RRO) Reliability Standards.
8. Must demonstrate a high degree of expertise in the use of software tools that produce items such as spreadsheets, written reports, database reports and graphical presentations (e.g., Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint).
9. Preferred to have familiarity with programming languages (i.e., C++, Python).
10. Must possess excellent communication, presentation, diplomacy, active listening, and facilitation skills to effectively work in small or large group forums ranging from technical to non-technical audiences at all levels of the corporate hierarchy.
11. Must be willing to travel.
12. Position is located at the AMP Headquarters building in Columbus, Ohio. Preference will be given to candidates who currently live in the Columbus area or are willing to relocate. This job is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule (3 days in office and 2 days working from home).
13. Candidates who are located remotely from Columbus, Ohio will be considered for this position. If the selected candidate is a remote candidate, they will be expected to travel to Columbus on a periodic basis (6 to 9 times per year).