Lead Engineer, Transmission Planning (Architecture)

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Lead Engineer range - $135,000 - $158,625

 Join our team as a Lead Engineer in Transmission Planning!

The Lead Engineer, Transmission Planning is responsible for the development, analysis, and oversight of transmission planning functions within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). This position requires a deep understanding of the transmission grid within the SPP footprint and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple stakeholder working groups. The Lead Engineer will provide leadership in the development of study scopes, planning models, and the 20-year assessment and Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP) process, ensuring that the transmission grid remains reliable, robust, and capable of meeting various future scenarios.

 Responsibilities include technical oversight of planning processes, coordination with SPP membership, and representation of SPP in industry and regulatory technical settings. The Lead Engineer will also be tasked with developing new planning techniques, supporting policy development, and training and mentoring the transmission planning team.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, use, and instruction of transmission planning tools and software such as PROMOD, Powerbase, PAT, and PSS/E.
• Oversee the technical aspects of the transmission planning process, including the creation of transmission expansion plans for various planning horizons.
• Ensure the planning process meets Tariff requirements and assess their impacts on the overall planning process.
• Familiarity with SPP By-Laws, Planning Criteria, and Working Group structures to effectively coordinate efforts among all working groups, committees, and task forces.
• Collaborate with SPP members and coordinate their efforts in the Integrated Transmission Planning process.
• Work with neighboring ISOs, RTOs, and other Planning Authorities to ensure alignment between the SPP transmission planning process and external entities.
• Provide training, education, and leadership to the transmission planning team, fostering knowledge-sharing and skill development.
• Responsible for the technical content of the ITP and STEP reports submitted to the Board of Directors.
• Demonstrate and uphold SPP Core Culture and Values in daily work and interactions with colleagues.
• Lead transmission planning efforts, ensuring successful completion of all planning tasks.
• Enforce compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures across all planning activities.

 To be successful as the Lead Engineer, Transmission Planning, we're looking for:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, this degree should:
  • Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation),
  • Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
• 12 years' of relevant Engineering experience; OR
• 11 years' of relevant Engineering experience with a Master's Degree in Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical or Systems Engineering OR
• 10 years' of relevant Engineering experience with a Doctoral degree in Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering
• A Professional Engineer license is required for this role; however, 12 years' relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Professional Engineer License
• Advanced knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Regional Tariff, and SPP Change Control procedures
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices 
• Strong inter-personal and team building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
• Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems 
• Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Access
• Ability to develop and troubleshoot automation, including code written in Python

Preferred:

• Graduate level degree in related field of study

 Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

 Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires moderate travel (approximately 20%)

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we value Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Visit our website to learn more: LINK

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview. 

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

See job description