Integrated Grid Planning and Dynamics - Modeler/Analyst

About the role

The Transmission and Distribution Interactions (T&D) group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center (GPAC) at NLR is seeking a dynamic and experienced candidate to join our team. This role involves building, troubleshooting, and validating large-scale bulk/transmission power system models, conducting power flow and dynamics studies, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Build, troubleshoot, and validate large-scale bulk/transmission power system models
• Conduct AC power flow, dynamics, and contingency simulations across scales ranging from smaller island and regional-scale systems up to national and international interconnections
• Design, develop, and maintain co-simulation frameworks
• Apply best-practice code development techniques
• Perform analysis demonstrating the importance of technical capabilities
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of developers, engineers, and analysts
• Present work at conferences, symposia, and project meetings
• Contribute to journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports
• Work with other staff to develop proposals and partnerships for funding opportunities

Requirements

• Researcher IV: Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience
• Researcher III: Relevant PhD or relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience

Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance
• Experience with commercial power system power flow software such as Powerworld, PSS/E, or similar
• Extensive engineering technical expertise and knowledge of other related disciplines
• Demonstrated leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities
• Experience in management of projects
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in team settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven expertise with developing, modeling, troubleshooting, and in-depth analysis with power system dynamics (phasor, RMS) and large-scale EMT simulations
• Experience with production cost modeling tools, such as PLEXOS-LT or Sienna, and their interactions with power flow models
• Experience automating, conducting, and visualizing engineering analyses for large-scale grids, including N-1, N-1-1, and N-k contingencies; frequency response; and multiple stability criteria for both strong and weak grids
• Experience developing and validating dynamic and transient models for both grid-forming and grid-following IBRs with a variety of energy sources, including solar, wind, and storage
• Experience troubleshooting and adapting system-scale models for convergence, particularly for future scenarios with extensive changes to the generator fleet and wide-spread transmission expansion
• Experience with software development for scripting and automation of such analyses, particularly in Python, Julia, or Rust
• Experience with multi-model and co-simulation frameworks such as HELICS
• Experience with resilience analysis to both natural hazards and man-made threats
• Experience capturing DER and IBR within these modeling paradigms
• Familiarity with DER and IBR interconnection standards, such as IEEE 2800 or IEEE 1547
• Familiarity with distribution modeling using widely-used tools such as OpenDSS, CYME, and Synergi