Grid Technology Consultant - Electric Utility (Oahu)

We recognize our competitive advantage — our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company. Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

About the role

The P XS ADMIN-GRID TECHNOLOGIES Department of the P GRID TECHNOLOGIES Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has a management vacancy for a Professional role. This position proactively scouts and evaluates advanced and emerging electric utility grid technologies for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities or other electric utility pilot evaluations that support implementation of the Companies’ technical plans. The role manages the technology innovation process, coordinates and tracks the performance of the Company’s RD&D portfolio, and facilitates technology transfer.

Responsibilities

• Research & Technology Development
  • Actively scouts innovative technologies and applications related to electric utility grid operations and planning that align with technical and business plans.
  • Participates in technical conferences and other events to facilitate technology scouting efforts.
  • Conducts research on technologies, prepares technical assessments, and offers technical opinions.
  • Assesses the application of emerging grid technologies for operations, planning, new business opportunities, and customer utilization.
  • Leads teams in the vetting of new technologies, including coordination of technical meetings with external stakeholders and vendors.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert on specific technologies to assess their application in meeting Company goals.
  • Establishes and maintains working relationships with individuals and organizations worldwide involved with emerging technology.
  • May take short-term assignments within other areas of the Company to facilitate deeper knowledge of technology needs and priorities.
  • Leads testing and proof-of-concept piloting of innovative and advanced technologies, including development of test plans, field deployment, and advanced analytics of test data.
• Business Partnerships & Networking
  • Engages with internal personnel and external parties to assess partnering opportunities.
  • Leads internal teams by coordinating the scoping of external funding opportunities with various technical areas in the Company.
  • Assesses and solicits funding opportunities with EPRI, government agencies, national laboratories, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and vendors for selected emerging technology projects.
  • Assists in the prioritization of the Company’s high-priority needs based on feedback from other areas within the Company.
  • Leads the management of studies and site assessments conducted by outside consultants to assess the technical and non-technical applicability of emerging technologies on the Company’s grid systems.
• Technology Governance
  • Manages the technology innovation governance process in the identification, evaluation, selection, and prioritization of emerging technology and federal grant projects.
  • Oversees RD&D annual solicitations, reviews proposals to ensure alignment with high-priority strategic needs, facilitates internal vetting, and conducts quarterly stage-gate evaluations to monitor project performance, schedules, budgets, and issues.
• Technology Transfer
  • Facilitates technology transfer to disseminate knowledge and research results within the Company.
  • Leads the research of new, advanced functionality development that aligns with the Company’s current and future operating and planning requirements.
  • Tracks and assesses the market readiness of advanced resources, technologies, and functionalities that meet Company technical requirements and align with technology plans.
  • Coordinates the alignment of new technology implementation strategies and activities with Company business strategies.
  • Serves as a liaison to industry and leads high-profile technology initiatives with external stakeholders.
  • Acts as a Company technical representative at public, private, and special interest events related to technology innovation.
  • Leads efforts with Company personnel to bridge gaps and move targeted technologies from RD&D to commercial implementation.
  • Participates in activities and prepares associated documents for rate case and other regulatory dockets.
  • Evaluates bills, conducts relevant research, and prepares and delivers testimony for legislative hearings.
  • Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or other applicable technical or non-technical degree from an ABET-accredited college or university is required.
  • Demonstrated detailed knowledge of the application of engineering theories and principles pertinent to the job responsibilities, including thorough knowledge of electrical power systems (utility and in-building systems), generation systems and operations, renewable energy and energy storage concepts, digital control systems, maintenance, and communications.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the utility industry and a thorough understanding of how technology scouting fits into the Company’s strategic plans.
  • Knowledge of scientific research, including processes for research and development, and the transition from technology development to implementation.
  • Strong understanding of technology development processes, market adoption strategies, communication standards, and electric utility methodologies to implement new technologies.
  • Thorough knowledge of theories and principles of engineering normally acquired through advanced college-level courses or equivalent experience.
  • Strong understanding of, and ability to apply, standard industry practices for technology assessment and product adoption steps for commercial utility applications.
  • Working knowledge of the Company’s operations, planning, technical plans, business practices, and associated technical gaps.
  • Working knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering, project engineering, and project management associated with renewable and conventional electric generation facilities and systems.
  • Working knowledge of testing processes, including the development of test plans, project scoping, scheduling, and budgeting.
  • Working knowledge of economic analysis is desired to facilitate cost and economic assessments of new technologies.
  • Detailed knowledge of personal computers and standard software applications such as Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Visio, Project, and Matlab is highly desirable.
  • Working knowledge of the federal grant application process and federal grant compliance.
• Skills Requirements
  • Ability to utilize effective technology scouting processes to identify new technologies and applications, raise awareness of the need for new technologies, and match technology scouting efforts to the Company’s core strategies.
  • Ability to assess technology risks and new opportunities such that technology merits can be linked to business needs.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset to facilitate rapid assessments, vetting, and development that can support the Company’s technology innovation needs.
  • Ability to perform independent research and investigation, including conducting technical assessments using research and other processes.
  • Ability to build an informed technical opinion and communicate complex technical topics to a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to develop and evaluate business cases for technology projects and programs.
  • Ability to lead and participate in both internal and external meetings.
  • Demonstrated presentation and platform skills for effective group presentations.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills including effective written, oral, and listening communication skills, to work effectively with all levels of the Company, outside contractors and consultants, governmental agencies, external stakeholders, community groups, and customers.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills to work and collaborate with a variety of individuals, including external customers as well as Company personnel.
  • Ability to handle confrontational, difficult, and/or sensitive issues with professionalism while using tact, courtesy, and discretion.
  • Demonstrated customer relation skills to handle confrontational, difficult, and/or sensitive issues.
  • In-depth analytical, organizational, planning, and conceptual skills to handle multiple projects, programs, and priorities concurrently.
  • Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license.
  • Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy.
• Experience Requirements
  • Extensive (8 or more years) of technical and business experience in a technical field, including management of budgets or equivalent technology or product development through job experience.
  • A Professional Engineer’s license or MBA is desirable.
  • Experience with operationalizing and scaling of new technologies and solutions within utilities, ideally within multiple areas including operations, planning, new business opportunities, and customer utilization, to facilitate technology transfer and scaling within the Company.
  • Existing networks and working relationships with individuals and organizations worldwide involved with emerging technology and utility innovation efforts.

About Hawaiian Electric Companies

Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs. The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. The company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses.

Pay

The hiring range for this position is $109,900.00 to $142,600.00. The selected candidate will be placed according to their skills and qualifications.

Number of vacancies: 1
Location: Honolulu – Oahu