Associate Market Solutions Engineer (Spark Program)

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) applies cutting-edge technology to operating a reliable electricity system, managing competitive markets for wholesale electricity, and planning for the Empire State's energy future. The Spark Rotational Program Participant in the Research Engineering group within the Market Structures department is expected to contribute as an Associate Market Solutions Engineer.

The NYISO's Spark Rotational Program is a two-year, early-career development program designed to grow the next generation of power system and technology professionals through meaningful work, structured learning, and cross-functional exposure. The Spark Rotational Program Participant will be expected to develop and demonstrate technical expertise and strong leadership skills throughout their two year rotational program.

Participants are hired directly into a home department where they build strong technical and professional foundations while contributing to projects that support the reliability of New York's power grid. Participants will also expand their organizational perspective through learning experiences, job shadowing, and partial rotations across multiple departments.

This individual will support the electric power system model used by the scheduling and dispatch software. Develop and apply a working knowledge of the New York State high voltage transmission system and the network model database software to support the NYISO market and security functions. The Associate Engineer will support the real-time power system analysis, primarily the EMS software applications and BMS software application, as well as the development and evolution of the Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Energy Market Systems (BMS) and the development and evolution of the Smart-Grid application software. Strong Power Systems or Electrical Engineering with power system software and/or mathematical optimization knowledge is desired for this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

• Support and maintain the PMU applications such as stand-alone visualization software and EMS based Voltage Stability Monitoring (VSM).
• Support the maintenance of EMS and Phasor Data Acquisition and Control systems integration
• Support the integrity of Smart-Grid application software by development and implementation of Business Owner Quality Assurance procedures.
• Support the testing of PMU application functions in coordination with NY Transmission Owners and neighboring control areas.
• Provide Power System Operations Dispatcher support for all Smart-Grid applications such as, ePDC, RTDMS (Server and Client), ePDE and Grid-Smarts.
• Develop and maintain software and operating procedures to address special market and operating conditions under the guidance of the manager or senior members of the team.
• Work collaboratively with Energy Market Operation and Grid Operation personnel in new Market Design initiative or new Network model projects including the new EMS/BMS platform.
• Perform the development of the documentation to support new Market Design initiative or new Network Model projects including the new EMS/BMS platform.
• Perform Factory Acceptance or Site Acceptance Testing for new Market Design initiative or new Network Model projects including the new EMS/BMS platform.
• Perform regression test for new Market Design initiative or new Network Model projects to ensure the correct market outcomes including the new EMS/BMS platform.
• Implement modifications to the Unit Commitment program to support the additional market functionality to the Mixed Integer Process (MIP) solution under the guidance of manager or senior members in the team.
• Provide technical support to Energy Market Operation, Market Validation, Market Monitoring, IT Quality Assurance and Stakeholder Service in replying to Market Participant questions for all aspects of Market Solutions Engineering.
• Support testing efforts of Energy Market Operations including development of Unit Acceptance Test plans for projects affecting the energy market software
• Support testing efforts of Capacity Market Operations including development of resource adequacy models, capacity auction models, capacity expansion models and capacity accreditation models.
• Support and maintain the PMU applications such as stand-alone visualization software and EMS based Voltage Stability Monitoring (VSM).
• Provide implementation support to the product teams by reviewing requirements documents, reviewing design notes from vendors and developing User Acceptance test plans for deployment of enhancements and new features to production.
• Support external research engagements for the NYISO and actively support research engagements under the direction of Manager, Market Solutions Engineering.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree (BS) in Electrical Engineering or related technical field required; Course studies in power systems, electrical engineering, power system components (generation and transmission equipment, concepts and principles) and mathematical modeling of power system components required; Master's degree (MS) in Electrical Engineering desired.
• Experience in the areas of Electrical Engineering and/or Operations Research with software simulation experience is preferred.
• Experience using computer programs such as Energy Management Systems, Security Constrained Unit Commitment (SCUC) and Real-Time Scheduling (RTS), Grid View, GE-MAPS, PROMOD, Modeling Language for Mathematical Programming like AMPL, MATLAB or GAMS is highly desirable.
• Strong Python programming skills and a working knowledge of shell scripting and Linux command line is desirable.
• Background in models and databases used in power system analyses, and business experience in electric power systems or wholesale electric markets are desired.
• Ability to demonstrate an analytical approach to problem solving
• Strong team and interpersonal skills with the ability to work cross functionally
• Excellent communication skills and ability to clearly articulate technical problems and solutions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, vendors, Market Participants and the general public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Intermediate competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications, database spreadsheets, e-mail and internet programs. Working knowledge of UNIX desired.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Contact with staff and public will occur. Travel may be required to attend and/or conduct meetings, conferences and training. This position may require work on nights, weekends or holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to perform routine office tasks. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please note that the position will be filled at the level (Associate Market Solutions Engineer or Market Solutions Engineer) appropriate with the candidate's experience and qualifications.

At the NYISO, we realize the importance of balancing the availability of remote work with the inherent value of bringing people together to attain success in the areas of maximum collaboration, relationship building and growth, teamwork, innovation and problem solving, as well as professional development and mentoring. In this role, you will be required to work onsite from our Rensselaer, NY location several days per workweek, with the option to work remotely on the remaining days. You will also be expected to respond to all business needs that may require any increase to the regular onsite requirements.

The NYISO takes pride in recruiting, developing and retaining highly talented individuals. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and innovative reward programs.

All offers of employment will be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screening and background check.

The NYISO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.