Power Systems Research Engineer – Energy Infrastructure Modeling

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.  

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. 

The Energy and Environment Directorate (EED) delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. 

The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division (EI&BD), part of EED, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.

Within this division, the Power System Modeling Group (PSMG) develops advanced simulation, analysis, and optimization tools to understand and enhance grid performance across all levels, from the bulk energy system to the distribution grid.

Responsibilities

PNNL seeks a creative and inter-disciplinary power system engineer to develop model enhancements for conventional power system models (primarily production cost models and expansion planning models) to represent changing system constraints and dependencies imposed by the rapid growth of our Nation’s energy system. The selected candidate is expected to participate in science-based, mission-focused research to develop complex solutions integrating a wide range of power system tools to enhance the security of our nation’s energy system. The successful candidate will use integrated, multi-scale models spanning capacity expansion, production cost modeling, and powerflow to explore and quantify the impacts of real-world events on energy system performance. The candidate will use these tools to develop and investigate mitigating techniques to affordably improve the reliability and resilience of critical energy infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

The successful candidate would be expected to be a senior subject matter expert to projects within their field of specialization. The position will lead teams of junior scientists and engineers and will be responsible for delivering technical tasks with the level of quality, timeliness, and cost, to meet required project and client expectations. The desired engineer will:

• Provide subject matter expertise within multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on power system optimization, resource adequacy, reliable capacity expansion, and the related policies that must be enacted.
• Provide electric system simulations with a good working knowledge of grid topology and transmission planning, operational costs and optimization, system constraints, and financial analysis.
• Lead model enhancements activities and participate in the design of simulation experiments, evaluation of technology performance, or development of scientific and engineered solutions to assess or solve a variety of technical problems.
• Broadly apply theory to the development and implementation of new tools including applications, algorithms, models, and visualization.
• Publish research results, targeting peer reviewed journals and other written reports.
• Build strong teams for project execution that transfer knowledge through the organization.
• Mentor junior staff and other engineers and collaborate with senior level staff from within PNNL.
• Travel to execute projects, build relationships, and grow leadership in the field.
• Manage individual tasks or projects; including directing other staff, ensuring milestones are met, and communicating with senior management.
• Ensure safe operating practices are followed.
• Effectively communicate engineering challenges and solutions to a wide range of audiences.
• Effectively communicate with senior engineers to ensure high-quality delivery of research projects on budget and on time.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity.

On-site in Richland, WA is strongly preferred; remote work may be considered.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant production cost and expansion planning model work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant production cost and expansion planning model work experience -OR-
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant production cost and expansion planning model experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in using and/or contributing to the development of large-scale power system optimization models, using either commercial or open-source tools. 
• Understanding of power grid operations, transmission and resource planning, and long-term investment.
• Knowledge of utility industry economics and business processes.
• Broadly apply principles, standards work, theories and concepts of systems engineering to the development and implementation of new tools including applications, algorithms, models, and visualization techniques.
• Experience in grid applications, software development, or active participation in related national and international forums for power system modeling.
• Experience in stochastic optimization and dynamic programming.
• Fluency in one or more programming or scripting languages (e.g., GAMS, Julia, perl, Python, etc.).
• Experience working in an inter-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated success of articulating research through publications, particularly in top-tier journals. 

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States.  The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct. 

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP). 

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program. 

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
 

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [email protected].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.  The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full salary range for each position in accordance with Washington State pay transparency requirements. While the full range is posted, starting salaries generally fall between the minimum and midpoint of the range, with individual offers determined based on relevant job-related experience, qualifications, internal pay equity, and available budget. This approach applies to all positions except those governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions with specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, PNNL does not ask for or consider current or past salary when making compensation offers. Instead, offers are based on the requirements of the position, relevant job-related skills and experience, prevailing market conditions, internal pay equity, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and available budget.

Minimum Salary

USD $122,100.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $193,000.00/Yr.