Principal Engineer – Planning R&D

Location: Carmel, IN or Eagan, MN

About the role

As a Principal Engineer – Planning R&D, you’ll help MISO evaluate the technologies, resources, and system changes transforming the electric grid. You’ll combine technical expertise with a strong understanding of the energy industry to assess emerging trends, identify potential impacts to MISO’s existing processes and systems, and develop solutions that help prepare the grid for the future. This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll work across disciplines, bringing together production cost modeling, power flow analysis, dynamic stability, resource adequacy, market dynamics, and other perspectives to answer complex questions about the evolving power system.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel analytical methods that complement traditional phasor domain tools, including approaches that reduce modeling intensity and simulation runtime for R&D workflows.
• Create conceptual designs, test benches, and prototype workflows (e.g., PSCAD, ETRAN+, SSR/SSAT) to support applied R&D evaluation of emerging stability challenges.
• Establish new planning timeframe processes for integrating stability considerations into long range studies, operational planning assessments, and interconnection/retirement workflows.
• Define and institutionalize monitoring and validation processes (e.g., PMU based disturbance checks, screening to study pipelines) that connect planning analysis with operational needs.
• Drive process changes based on R&D findings, including clarifying roles between MISO and Transmission Owners for voltage stability responsibilities and integrating multiple stability metrics into decision workflows.
• Translate emerging R&D insights (e.g., oscillations, system strength, large load impacts) into updated planning standards, guidance documents, and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, or higher, in electrical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering technology, electrical and computer engineering, electrical and electronic engineering or electronics and computer engineering technology.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience.
• Previous experience within the electric energy industry.
• Experience with power system modeling and analysis, particularly power flow, and dynamic stability studies.

Preferred Skills

• Understanding of how emerging technologies and changes in the generation fleet may impact RTO/ISO operations, planning, markets, and existing processes.
• Familiarity with NERC and FERC regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to work through complex scenarios, analyze data, and draw sound conclusions.

Pay

The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $146,000‑$171,000 USD annually. Base salary range for this position is included in accordance with requirements of various state/local pay transparency legislation. Please note that salaries may vary for different individuals in the same role based on several factors, including but not limited to location of the role, individual competencies, education/professional certifications, and qualifications/experience. Position is also eligible for an annual bonus if individual performance and company objectives are met.

Benefits

At MISO we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including 401k, vacation, sick and safe time, available on your first day of employment.