Lead Power Systems Engineer

AGILe, NYPA's Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy, provides a specialized environment for testing and validating emerging grid technologies. The candidate's expertise should align with AGILe's objectives, ensuring effective contributions to the lab's efforts in modeling, simulation, and real-time testing to support the evolving power grid.

The selected candidate will lead research, design, and development efforts to improve NYPA's energy services, test and operate power system equipment, and ensure compliance with standards while optimizing cost, safety, and reliability. This role requires hands-on experience with power system modeling across both electromagnetic transient (EMT) and positive sequence domains, as well as direct experience with real-time simulation platforms and hardware-in-the-loop testbeds.

The ideal candidate will also have familiarity with utility operations, including transmission planning, interconnection processes, and various generation technologies such as hydroelectric power and inverter-based resources (IBRs). While expertise in every area is not required, the candidate should demonstrate proficiency across a combination of these domains. Additionally, familiarity with FPGA-based architectures and AI/ML applications in power systems is highly valued, contributing to advanced analytical capabilities and real-time processing within AGILe's testing and research environment. #LI-VB1

• Implement the objectives of AGILe and support the Director of AGILe in initiating and conducting the projects.
• Initiate, lead, and manage projects to create additional capabilities at AGILe.
• Lead and manage project activities in collaboration with contractors, and other external personnel executing the lab's objectives, and other NYPA departments
• Lead execution of projects from technical and time/budget management perspectives.
• Perform modeling and simulation studies (including control and power hardware-/software-in-the-loop) using the AGILe lab digital real-time simulation equipment (RTDS and Opal-RT) as well as all other hardware and software systems available in the lab
• Perform model development and model management tasks for the various system models utilized in AGILe. Be responsible for the maintenance and updates of the models.
• Perform or support studies using a series of other modeling and simulation tools available at AGILe, such as PSS/E, DSATools, ASPEN, EMTP-RV, PSCAD, GE-MAPS, Matlab, Scalable EXata, etc.
• Support necessary improvements and expansions of AGILe.
• Carry out the lab work in AGILe key areas such as advanced transmission and distribution applications, cyber-security, automation, sensors and power electronics.
• Support preparation of business plans and expenditure requests for executive management and Trustee approval.
• Provide input for the preparation of the yearly operating budget for lab.
• Participate in development and training activities of lab staff to optimize talents and contributions.
• Represent NYPA on select conferences, meetings, task forces, committees, and boards as directed by the AGILe Director.

• Extensive familiarity with electric utility policies, operations, procedures and business objectives.
• Strong knowledge of the New York state electricity grid environment.
• Working knowledge of power plant, substation, transmission, and distribution electrical equipment and systems.
• Excellent knowledge on power system modeling, simulation, and control.
• Extensive familiarity with cutting-edge technologies including but not limited to digital twins, artificial intelligence, and machine learning applications
• Working knowledge of digital real-time modeling and simulation, control and power hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulation and testing.
• Working knowledge of RTDS and/or Opal-RT (ePhasorSim, eMegaSim, HyperSim, eFPGASim) digital real-time modeling and simulation systems and tools.
• Familiarity with as many of the following software packages as possible: PSS/E, DSATools, ASPEN, EMTP-RV, PSCAD, GE-MAPS, Matlab, Scalable EXata.
• Experience in understanding and analyzing complex power system phenomena.
• Working knowledge of data acquisition and remote monitoring systems as well as electric grid communication protocols and systems.
• Good understanding of GPS synchronized phasor measurement units.
• Good understanding of transmission- and distribution-level smart grid technologies.
• Excellent personal computing skills, including proficiency with spreadsheets, word processors, databases, and project management software.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; good written and verbal communication skills; possess the ability to organize information and effectively present ideas to the intended audience.
• Good communicator who can share a clear vision of the future and build excitement.
• Ability to plan and oversee projects from start to finish and have the associated project management skills.
• Ability to further develop an understanding of the electric utility industry.
• Ability to work independently as well as be part of a high-performing team.
• Demonstrated high level of personal motivation, foresight, and good judgment.
• Willingness to learn new concepts and engage in new innovative projects.

• M.S. degree in Engineering required. Preferably in electrical or computer engineering.
• Ph.D. degree (preferably in electrical and computer engineering) is a strong advantage.
• Other advanced degrees considered a plus.
• Minimum of nine (9) years of applicable experience, less with a Ph.D. degree, with an electric utility, power producer, research organization, manufacturer, consultant or energy services company.
• Track record as a researcher in an academic environment, or in a research and development group in the industry.

• Requires approximately 15% travel, both in NY State and out-of-state.
• Position requires working with lab electrical/electronic equipment and setting up experiments following safety rules and lab procedures.
• Position may require to lift and move items weighting up to 20 lbs on an occasional basis.