DER Planning Engineer (US or Australia Flexible Location)

DER Planning Engineer (US or Australia – Flexible Location)

Strategen Consulting is seeking a DER Planning Engineer to join our team. The DER Planning Engineer would have a deep understanding of the underlying physics of the electric distribution system, DER technologies, and their interoperability to support stage integration and enhance system benefits.

Strategen was founded in 2005 and headquartered in Berkeley, California with offices in Portland, Oregon and Brisbane, Australia. We are a mission-driven professional services company that specializes in impactful market development for a decarbonized grid. We strive to empower and inspire global corporations, utilities and public sector leaders to accelerate grid modernization, decarbonize the planet and improve quality of life around the world. Strategen works with global Fortune 500 corporations, utilities, governments, project developers and associations seeking to evaluate and implement next generation grid and clean energy technologies. Learn more about us at https://www.strategen.com

Our ideal candidate understands the dynamics of a changing grid, the complexities of creating market solutions for a cleaner grid that adhere to its technical constraints, passionate about diving into grid modernization, and integrating DERs into the retail and wholesale power systems levels. Having a “can do” attitude toward problem-solving and an appetite for process improvements will result in time-savings for the team and an improved client experience.

You can be based in any of our global offices or a remote location, providing location flexibility in Australia. Period in-person meetings, will be required. If this is a fit for your skills and interest and you have a passion for our mission, please read on for more detailed information about the position.

Responsibilities:

Client Project Execution:

Manages the execution of technical work within the context of overall client project goals
Serves as a technical expert in policy and regulatory settings to represent and execute on client project requests
Conducts qualitative and/or quantitative market analysis to understand market trends and company-specific information related to the topic areas of retail rate design, wholesale markets, clean energy technologies, etc.
Conducts quantitative analysis to understand the economics of different strategies and business models, and the value proposition/economics of clean energy technologies in various retail and wholesale energy markets
Explains technical concepts associated with work to non-technical audiences
Ensures timely delivery of project deliverables and communicate issues

Client Project Development:

Serves as a technical expert in proposal scoping, either clearly writing technical scopes or providing insight to proposal leads on interpreting ambiguous technical requests from clients; identifies areas at risk of potential scope creep, and offers mitigation solutions for identified risks
Identifies key areas of uncertainty to technical work needed to complete client projects

Technical Product Development:

Conducts quantitative analyses and modeling exercises related to the power system following model development best practices
Aids in the firm’s development of technical capabilities related to power system modeling

Business Development:

Builds relationships with potential clients by attending conferences, seminars, networking events; maintains relationships with current clients through consistent communication
Identifies potential market gaps by diagnosing client problems and determining potential solutions

Thought Leadership:

Provides insights into how to transform the power system quickly in an equitable manner
Provides technical expertise and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences
Promotes solutions through speaking at conferences, writing white papers, and participating on webinars

Qualifications:

BS in power systems engineering, electrical engineering, engineering technology, or other closely related field, required
A licensed professional electrical engineer or electrical engineer-in-training, preferred
MS and/or PhD in power systems, in power systems engineering, electrical engineering, engineering technology, or other closely related field, preferred
At least 2 years of experience working in power system engineering at the distribution level with the standards, regulations, policies, and technologies (e.g., smart inverters, distribution automation, DSCADA, DERMS, etc.) to interconnect and integrate distribution energy resources (e.g., solar PV, energy storage, electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, microgrids). A huge plus to have specific familiarity and/or knowledge with NEC, UL 1741, IEEE 1547, CA Rule 21, etc. and associated working groups
Knowledge of electrical distribution system planning, design, operations, and relevant tools (e.g., CYME, HOMER, Power World, PSIM, or other relevant design software) including experience with the integration and interconnection of distributed energy resources and microgrids. Utility experience is preferred
Proficient in a high-level programming language (ideally Python; MATLAB, R, or Java ok) and knowledge of structured programming and programming best practices
Familiarity with power system optimization, including production cost and capacity expansion models.
Knowledge of probability, statistics, stochastics, time-series modeling, convex optimization methods, and commercial solvers (e.g., CPLEX, Gurobi, GAMS, etc.)
Ability to communicate complex electrical engineering principles and processes to policy-level audiences through written and oral communications
Professional standards for discretion, confidentiality, and personal accountability
Friendly demeanor and polished customer service skills; ability to communicate empathetically through issues with clients and team members
Ability to engage in and facilitate technical discussions that develop consensus among a wide range of stakeholder groups
Knowledge of generation resource planning
Excellent organizational skills; detailed oriented
Ability to quickly and appropriately prioritize conflicting demands
Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work successfully in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of attention to detail and minimum supervision
Ability to establish and monitor priorities, remain flexible, meet deadlines
Ability to work independently as well as on a team

To Apply:

Please send your résumé, a cover letter, and writing samples with “DER Planning Engineer in the subject line to strategen.com">hrstrategen.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Strategen is firmly committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. It is Strategen’s policy to hire qualified applicants and, with respect to employment decisions, to treat employees without regard to race, color, creed, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.