Engineer II/Engineer III (inverter Controls Engineer ) - Electric Transmission Strategic Initiatives

Job Summary

Dominion Energy is seeking an Engineer II or III with Power Electronics experience and/or inverter controls experience to be a part of the Strategic Initiatives Special Studies team within Electric Transmission. The candidates will be part of a team that provides technical expertise and support for Dominion Energy Electric Transmission Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) integration into the grid. The candidate must have the knowledge and understanding of Grid-Forming (GFM) and Grid-Following (GFL) inverter controls. ET Special Studies provides domain expertise and engineering root cause analysis for operational challenges across Dominion Energy and the electric grid. As novel challenges arise, Special Studies cultivates and develop the necessary knowledge base and modeling, simulation, and other engineering capabilities to address them. Candidates should have a strong electrical engineering background with power electronics experience and possess strong knowledge of engineering principles and practices, preferably in electric power systems. A working knowledge of analysis software packages such as PSCAD, RSCAD, PSS\E, Python, MATLAB, etc., is also preferred. 
 

Job responsibilities may include:

• Power system modeling and analysis of load flow, dynamic, and small signal studies, EMT simulations, and Real-time digital simulation
• Support the deployment of grid-forming inverter technologies to support the integration of utility-scale solar and energy storage systems.
• Collaborate with inverter OEMs to develop and pilot advanced control algorithms for GFL and GFM inverters.
• Investigate IBRs GFL and GFM controls to ensure grid stability, system strength, and reliability.
• Develop models and conduct simulations using tools like RSCAD, PSCAD, etc. to analyze system dynamics, power quality, and grid stability.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams within Dominion Energy and external to integrate GFM renewable energy projects into the grid.
• Investigate, assess, and apply the latest advancements in grid-forming technology, and power system stability.
• Support in writing technical papers or reports, engineering specifications, and contribute to DOE proposals.
• Analysis and planning for significant increase in renewable energy on transmission and distribution systems, such as solar and wind energy.
• Support the investigation of fault events due to IBR integration and interaction.
• Work with inverter manufacturers to develop RTDS GTSOC model interfaced with the RTDS. 
• Stay informed on industry trends topics on grid-forming technologies, IEEE 2800, interconnection standards, and industry best practices.
• Support design, engineering, and evaluation of initiatives related to advanced power electronics technologies such as FACTS and HVDC.
• Power system network model validation, merging, and management.
• Supporting Dominion field organizations in response to root cause analysis of events and improvement plans.
• Conducting research, development, and demonstration of leading-edge tools, technologies, and applications to maintain Dominion's leadership position in the industry.
   

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

The knowledge, skills, abilities and experience required for entry into this job include the following:

• Engineer II - 3+ years of relevant engineering experience;
• Engineer III - 5+ years of relevant engineering experience
• General understanding of power systems including an understanding of three-phase power systems, the power grid, and the electric transmission system. 
• Strong experience of power electronics hardware, GFL and GFM inverter controls. 
• A strong understanding of power system modeling 
• Knowledge of battery energy storage system (BESS) 
• General understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment 
• Working experience of Python/C++, PSCAD, RSCAD. 
• Experience with RTDS hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing 
• Must possess good communication skills, written and oral  
• Proficiency in EMT modeling and simulations 
• Knowledge of IEEE 2800 is preferred 
• Capable of working independently or collaboratively on multiple projects within a team 
• Problem solving and strong analytical skills 
• Ability to demonstrate experience on GFM or GFL inverter controls 

An Engineering PhD can be substituted for up to 5 years' experience based on research engineering work on directly related projects approved by executive leadership. 

REQUIRED ENGINEERING CRITERIA: 
 
For placement of a candidate in the Engineer job series, the following criteria must be met: 
 

• Possess a 4-year Engineering degree from an ABET accredited Engineering program based on the year that the Engineering program was accredited by ABET, or 
• Possess a 4-year Engineering degree from an institution outside of the U.S. which is accredited through the country's own Engineering accrediting body under the Washington Accord as a full signatory, and is a degree that was recognized by the country's accrediting body on or after the date that full signatory status was achieved, or 
• Possess a 4-year degree in Engineering (non-ABET accredited), Physics, Chemistry, Math or Engineering Technology and a post-graduate Engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same Engineering discipline is ABET-accredited based on the year the Engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
• Holds or has previously held a valid U.S. Professional Engineer license.

Education Requirements

Required degree (equivalency not accepted in lieu of required degree): Bachelor's

Required discipline(s): Engineering

PhD degree in an engineering field or working on a Ph.D. degree in engineering (preferred fields include electrical engineering with a concentration in power electronics, power systems, energy science or mechanical engineering with a focus on energy systems) from an ABET accredited Engineering program at a four year or post-graduate college or university. 

Candidates must have a 3.2 minimum GPA or greater if they have graduated from college within the last 3 years.  

Must have an anticipated graduation date of Fall 2025 or earlier if working on a PhD 

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

Working Conditions

Other Working Conditions

Please note that 95% of the time, this is an office only position. This work does not require extensive field time, and if it were raining or the weather were particularly bad, you’d normally be able to reschedule a field visit to a time with better weather. Dominion Energy will work with you to ensure you have the appropriate personal protective equipment for any site visits. 

In Innsbrook, the facility in which you will be working, has an on-site gym with a coordinator and trainer to help provide support. There are fitness classes available for free as well. Additionally, there are other Dominion Energy facilities with gyms that you could use in other parts of the city if that is convenient for you. There is a cafeteria with well-priced food in the Innsbrook facility as well.  
 

Test Description