Grid Modeling Engineer

Job Description Summary

Systems engineering is a cross-functional engineering discipline centered on an approach, mindset, and process. All activities that consider both the business and the technical needs of the customers with the goal of providing a quality product that meets the user’s needs. The discipline that executes a robust process of design, creation, and optimization of systems, consisting of identification and quantification of system requirements, creation of alternate system design concepts, performance of design trade studies, selection and implementation of the best designs and verification that the design is properly integrated and executed. Process that proceeds from concept to production to operation.
Impacts departmental operations and responsible for planning/execution. The role has some autonomy but is focused on execution of activities within an operating discipline covered by standard functional practices and procedures. Some judgment may be required but this is typically with guidance.

Job Description

As a member of the GE Power Conversion and Storage (PCS), the successful candidate will be an active contributor supporting GE PCS business initiatives related to power systems and power electronics equipment and services.

Essential Responsibilities:

·         Provide product development and technical analysis related to power electronic and power systems control of renewable generation, battery energy storage systems, STATCOMS, Sync Condensers and large industrial drives.

·         Expertise in developing models in PSS/E, PSLF, PowerFactory, PSCAD and other modeling tools.

·         Expertise in tuning controller to achieve desired performance requirement established in grid codes.

·         Develop technical understanding of electrical characteristics of GE power electronics products and their integration to electrical grids.

·         Support customers with power systems engineering expertise; including equipment design, specification studies, commissioning support, troubleshooting, and failure mode analyses.

·         Supporting continuous development of transmission and distribution connected products based on evolving codes and standards through participation in industry standards groups and leading innovative approaches to power equipment design.

·         Effectively communicate to both internal and external customers by preparing detailed written reports or presentations describing analyses performed, solutions developed, and customer value propositions.

·         Support domestic and international projects across regions depending on overall market needs and communicate customer needs and values back to GE.

·         Actively participate on and support project teams ensuring high quality deliverables, budget, and on-time project metrics are met.

·         Actively participate in a working environment where teamwork, quality, customer service and innovation are prized

Qualifications/Requirements:

·         Master’s or PhD degree in electrical or electric power engineering, or related field of study.

·         Bachelor’s in electrical or electric power engineering with 3 years employment experience in related position will be considered.

·         Minimum 3 years of professional experience in an engineering field and in MATLAB, PSCAD, PSSE, PSLF, Python, C. C#

Desired Characteristics:

·         Demonstrated modeling and technical experience in technical performance analysis of electric power systems with power electronic sources or loads.  Experience in planning and execution of technical projects relevant to electric power systems and equipment design.

·         Experience with developing model in electromechanical domain like PSS/E, PSLF, PowerFactory etc (for Inverter Based Resource or other Power Electronics based models)

·         Excellent interpersonal communication skills (e.g. ability to effectively communicate with all levels of GE and customer/plant staff).

·         Understanding of grid systems interactions with power plant equipment and controls.

·         Experience with time-domain simulation tools (ATP/EMTP desired, PSCAD/EMTDC required, and MATLAB desired).

·         Experience with Hardware in  the loop testing (HIL) of control systems

·         Experience with programming environments to understand controller code and complex simulation modeling (Python or Fortran desired)

·         Demonstrated application of complex mathematics and engineering to real-world (not merely academic) electric power problems.

·         Experience with time-domain simulation tools, specifically programming, tuning, and using user-written “black box” models in PSCAD for wind turbine generators, solar inverters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), or other advanced power electronic based systems.

·         PhD Degree in Electrical Engineering or related science

·         Industry reputation, prior IEEE/CIGRE published articles related to practical (not overly-academic) topics, participation in industry standards working groups.

·         Awarded patents on HV power equipment applications a plus.

·         Experience with modeling and simulating inverter-based technologies in PSSE, PSLF, PowerFactory using both generic and user written models.