Graduate Intern- Planning & Strategic Initiatives Senior Engineer

Job Summary

Dominion Energy (DE) is seeking a Graduate Intern to be a part of the Electric Transmission (ET) Planning & Strategic Initiatives team. Because of the unique data center load growth, aggressive clean energy goals, and commitment to the safety and reliability of the bulk electric system, DE must explore unconventional solutions to meet our customer’s and operational needs. As novel challenges arise, Special Studies and Strategic Planning cultivates and develops the necessary knowledge base and modeling, simulating, and other engineering capabilities to address them. This is a team dedicated to evaluating new technologies and methodologies that could be used to support the organization.

Our team is also geared towards performing studies that may fall outside of the normal business processes including:

• fault-induced delayed voltage recovery studies
• EMT studies
• Hardware-In-the-Loop testing
• Probabilistic techniques to account for multiple types of planning scenarios
• Intermittent generation in planning cases, dynamic generator model validation,
• Development of dynamic data center load models
• HVDC
• Pros and cons of synchronous condensers, FACTs devices, static reactive devices, and Battery Energy Storage Systems through transmission projects

Candidates should have a strong electrical engineering background and possess strong knowledge of engineering principles and practices. A working knowledge of analysis software packages such as PSS/E, Python, PSCAD, MATLAB, etc., is also preferred.

Job activities may include:

• Power system modeling and analysis
• Load flow, dynamic, and small signal studies
• Electromagnetic transient simulations
• Analysis and planning for significant increase in renewable energy on transmission and distribution systems, such as solar and wind energy, and the installation of microgrids throughout both systems. 
• Performing/supporting evaluation, design, engineering, and support activities related to advanced power systems technologies such as FACTS, HVDC, and inverter-based resources.
• Power system network model validation, merging, and management.
• Conducting research, development, and demonstration of leading-edge tools, technologies, and applications to maintain Dominion's leadership position in the industry.
• Participating/collaborating with trade and industry organizations, benchmarking activities, universities, ISOs/RTOs, and national research labs.
• Assisting in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of computer-based tools for Dominion Energy’s engineering groups.
• Data mining and data analytics.
• Analyzing multiple infrastructure interdependencies.
• Performing manufacturer evaluations and support material requisitions as needed

During this internship, you will be assigned at least one mentor who will work with you on an assigned project. At the start of the internship, you will be given a Statement of Work which will give you direction for the rest of the summer. At the end of the internship, it is expected that you will submit a paper to a relevant conference to be determined based on your scope of work. You will also participate in a Graduate Student Report Out at the end of the summer where you will present your work in a short presentation across all levels of ET – from peers to executives.

Interns with Dominion Energy have opportunities to visit the field to understand the size and scale of the equipment used in Electric Transmission. One of the most unique parts of working at a utility is the ability to interact with so many different types of equipment in various settings, and we want to ensure that interns get a chance to experience part of that.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

• General understanding of AC/DC fundamentals, and including an understanding of three-phase power systems, the power grid, and the electric transmission system
• A strong understanding of power system modeling
• General understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment
• Knowledge in using specialized power engineering tools, such as PSS/E, ASPEN, PSCAD, RSCAD and RTDS, Powerworld, DSATools, PowerGem’s TARA, MATLAB, MAXWELL 3D, and SYNERGI.
• Must possess good communication skills, written and oral 
• Must be dedicated to continuous improvement and identifying best practice opportunities.
• Must be able to work well independently as well as in team environment.
• Must be able to meet NERC certifications.

Education Requirements

• Must have earned a Bachelor degree in an engineering field and be accepted to and working on a Masters or Ph.D. degree in engineering (preferred fields include electrical engineering with a concentration in power systems, computer engineering, 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.
• Must have an anticipated graduation date of Fall 2027 or later.

Test Description