Careers · Power Systems
Director, Load Studies
Builds the data-center and large-load practice from the first client.
About the role
What this role is for.
Large loads are arriving on the bulk power system faster than anything since the renewables build-out. Data centers measured in hundreds of megawatts are interconnecting in ERCOT, PJM, SPP and elsewhere, and operators are writing ride-through, modeling and monitoring requirements for them that look a great deal like what generation owners live with under PRC-029-2 and MOD-032. The developers building these facilities have almost no power systems staff.
GridStrong already runs ride-through evaluations, model development and compliance programs for inverter-based generation on the Dashboard. You will build the equivalent practice for load: win the first client, define the study products, deliver them with your Principal, then hire engineers. Load Studies follows the same template as Generation and ISO, on the same standard layer.
Team: Power Systems
Level: Director
Location: Remote, United States or Canada
Works with: The VP of Power Systems, the Principal Engineer, Load Studies, Power Systems Engineering, Client Success and Operations, and the development, electrical engineering and interconnection teams at data center and large load developers.
What you will do
- Define the load study products: interconnection and ride-through evaluations, dynamic load model development, voltage and frequency sensitivity, and co-located generation and storage studies.
- Win the first load clients on expertise, working with Client Success and Operations on proposals and contracts.
- Deliver the first projects with the Principal Engineer, Load Studies, in PSS®E, PSCAD and TSAT, and sign them as the division's technical authority.
- Track operator requirements for large loads in ERCOT, PJM, SPP and other markets and translate them into study scopes and Dashboard workflows.
- Define, with Power Systems Engineering, which load studies become automated workflows first.
- Hire the Principal and engineers for the division and hold their client load within the two to six client band.
- Represent GridStrong in operator stakeholder processes on large load interconnection.
What we are looking for
- Ten or more years in power systems, including interconnection or planning studies involving large loads, industrial facilities or data centers.
- Hands-on PSS®E and PSCAD experience, including dynamic load modeling and voltage stability work.
- Working knowledge of ERCOT large load interconnection processes and the emerging NERC and operator requirements for load ride-through and modeling.
- Experience winning or scoping technical work with developers or utilities.
- Experience leading engineers and building a new service line or practice.
- Clear communicator with developers who do not have a power systems background.
Nice to have
- Experience with data center electrical design: UPS, medium-voltage distribution and backup generation.
- Experience with co-located generation and storage interconnection.
- Professional Engineer license.
The first 90 days
- The load study product list is written, priced with Operations and reviewed with the VP of Power Systems.
- You have a qualified pipeline of large load developers and a first project scoped.
- The Principal Engineer, Load Studies is hired or at the offer stage.
- Power Systems Engineering has a first specification for a load ride-through workflow.
Other roles
More open roles in Power Systems.
Apply for this role
Send a note and whatever shows your work best to careers@gridstrong.ai. Tell us what you would want to build first. We read every note and reply within a week.