GMS Application Engineer Sr - Electric Reliability Council of Texas

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We accept and celebrate those that join us and recognize that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. ERCOT offers the flexibility to work both in and out of the office within the state of Texas, providing our employees with an enhanced work life balance. JOB SUMMARY Job Summary GMS Application Engineer-Grid: Provides support for Energy Management Systems (EMS) power systems applications portfolio such as Power Flow, State Estimator, Contingency Analysis, Load Frequency Control, Dynamic Stability Analysis, Load Forecasting, Operator Training Simulator (OTS) etc. Actively involved in the design, development, testing, validation and implementation of modifications and enhancements to EMS applications. This position will report to the Supervisor/Manager of Grid & Market Solutions (GMS) Applications Engineering - Grid. JOB DUTIES Broadly applies principles, theories and concepts related to the profession. A seasoned, experienced professional with an in-depth/full understanding of area of specialization. May provide recommendations regarding issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Wide latitude for decisions within assignments, programs and projects; impact is generally limited to the project or department. Acts as a resource to advise, and may at times a lead the work of lower level professional and/or support employees. Generally represents the department on projects and may perform in a project leadership role. ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES GMS Applications Engineer – Grid Level 1 • Works under the direction of a senior level engineer or supervisor/manager to complete departmental goals and assignments. • Performs all work according to applicable rules and regulations including regulatory requirements and organization policies and procedures. • Member of the 24/7 EMS Applications Engineering support on call team and supports, troubleshoot EMS applications and system on call issues. • Assists in the proactive enhancements, improvements and issue remediation. • Coordinate application set up and testing with TDSPs, QSEs, LSEs, REs as appropriate. • Performs EMS network model load testing on periodic basis and updates the model data in real-time based on established procedures. • Design and Test EMS Interfaces and Web & Client/Server applications changes. • Verify and support EMS applications during system site failovers, server/system/database upgrades and patching Level 2 • Supports the execution of Disaster Recovery Drills and business continuity procedures • Maintain, troubleshoot and repair EMS and OTS applications and interfaces, and escalate as appropriate • May provide on the job training or help oversee the work of other engineers/analysts • Act as a consultant, representative and subject matter expert in project and activities that affect the EMS and OTS environments and applications as appropriate • Participates in multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments and provide application support • Represents the EMS Applications Engineering Team at interdepartmental and Stakeholder meetings Level 3 • Provides on the job training or help oversee the work of other engineers/analysts • May act as mentor and advisor to less experienced engineers/analysts • Works independently on assignments and projects • Participates in multifunctional teams to perform studies • Assists in developing tools, processes and procedures that enhance system reliability and departmental/organizational efficiencies • Participates with other ERCOT departments to select and implement system changes as needed Level Senior & Lead Above + • Serves as the technical Subject Matter Expert for the department • Serves as a Technical Lead for EMS portfolio projects and drives the implementation from incubation to go-live. • Makes independent decisions except in instances of unusually complex application scenarios • Works on the most complex application issues where analysis of situations requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors • Works with database administrators and infrastructure teams on complex EMS application issues triggered from server/network/storage/database components • Tests Non-Functional requirements of EMS application changes and coordinates with database/infrastructure teams to performs the tests • Fosters and leverages strong working relationships with other internal departments • Lends professional expertise to guide projects and help teammates assigned by manager • Demonstrates skills as an expert user of power system software applications and tools, spreadsheet programs, and database programs • Maintains knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices All Levels -- Preferred Work Experience • Experience with GE or any EMS vendors suite of EMS applications • Experience with Data Historians such as OSIsoft PI • Experience with programming languages such as FORTRAN, C, C++, Java & Perl. • Experience with PL/SQL EXPERIENCE Requires minimum 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree : Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field (Required) Master's Degree : Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field (Preferred) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. Expected Salary Range: $132,078 - $224,536 Are you an ERCOT Employee? If so please log in to Workday to apply. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 24 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 52,700 miles of transmission lines and 1,100 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.