DERMS DER Communications Workstream Lead

About the role

The DER (“Distributed Energy Resource”) Communications Workstream Lead is responsible for defining, standardizing, and governing the communications standards, technical interfaces, and integration patterns that enable secure, reliable, interoperable, and scalable integration of Distributed Energy Resources within the DERMS ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and governance of DER communications standards that address protocol selection, interface requirements, device integration, gateway architecture, cybersecurity considerations, and interoperability across DER technologies and manufacturers.
• Define and maintain approved DER communications protocols and interface requirements, including DNP3, OpenADR, IEEE 2030.5 related communications requirements.
• Collaborate with IT counterparts to establish standardized DER communications designs, reference architectures, and configuration patterns to support consistent deployment across jurisdictions, programs, and DER use cases.
• Translate DER use case requirements, including Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage Systems, Photovoltaics, and flexible interconnection applications, into communications requirements that support monitoring, dispatch, control, telemetry, and operational visibility.
• Ensure DER communications designs are scalable, secure, and aligned with DERMS platform capabilities and network control needs.
• Establish governance processes to manage updates to communications standards, equipment listings, and designs as technologies and regulatory requirements evolve.
• Collaborate closely with Architecture, Engineering, Security, Product, Integrations, and Distribution Standards teams to ensure communications standards are consistently applied across the DERMS program.
• Identify and manage risks related to DER communications, including interoperability, cybersecurity, vendor dependency, and operational reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or 5+ years' relevant and progressive experience.
• Strong project management, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective collaboration and partnership capabilities.
• Potential for PV or Energy Storage industry background.
• Potential for Power Systems engineering background in utility industry.
• Potential for Control Systems background.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Benefits

Salary ranges for this position are as follows:

• MA: $156,000.00 - $183,000.00 USD annually
• Upstate NY: $139,000.00 - $163,000.00 USD annually

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

Skills

Skills required for this role include strong technical knowledge and practical experience with DER communications protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, OpenADR, and IEEE 2030.5. A strong candidate will be familiar with industry trends associated with smart inverter controls under IEEE 1547.

Benefits

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.