Application Guide

How to Apply for Principal Power System Engineer

at Electric Power Engineers

🏢 About Electric Power Engineers

Electric Power Engineers (EPE) is a consultancy dedicated to enhancing grid reliability and resiliency for a sustainable energy future. They are at the forefront of integrating renewable energy and modernizing the grid, offering a collaborative and innovative environment where engineers can make a tangible impact on the energy transition.

About This Role

This role leads generation interconnection services across ERCOT, managing complex technical studies and guiding a team of engineers. As a Principal Power System Engineer, you will be the technical expert shaping interconnection strategy, performing advanced modeling and studies, and directly contributing to the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve leading a team meeting to discuss ongoing interconnection studies, then diving into PSS/E or PSCAD to validate a solar plant model. You might also review a junior engineer's dynamic study report, provide feedback, and later present findings to a client, ensuring their project aligns with ERCOT requirements.

🎯 Who Electric Power Engineers Is Looking For

  • -
  • D
  • e
  • e
  • p
  • e
  • x
  • p
  • e
  • r
  • t
  • i
  • s
  • e
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • e
  • n
  • e
  • r
  • a
  • t
  • i
  • o
  • n
  • i
  • n
  • t
  • e
  • r
  • c
  • o
  • n
  • n
  • e
  • c
  • t
  • i
  • o
  • n
  • w
  • i
  • t
  • h
  • i
  • n
  • E
  • R
  • C
  • O
  • T
  • ,
  • i
  • n
  • c
  • l
  • u
  • d
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • h
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • s
  • -
  • o
  • n
  • e
  • x
  • p
  • e
  • r
  • i
  • e
  • n
  • c
  • e
  • w
  • i
  • t
  • h
  • t
  • h
  • e
  • i
  • n
  • t
  • e
  • r
  • c
  • o
  • n
  • n
  • e
  • c
  • t
  • i
  • o
  • n
  • s
  • t
  • u
  • d
  • y
  • p
  • r
  • o
  • c
  • e
  • s
  • s
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • s
  • t
  • a
  • k
  • e
  • h
  • o
  • l
  • d
  • e
  • r
  • e
  • n
  • g
  • a
  • g
  • e
  • m
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • .
  • -
  • A
  • d
  • v
  • a
  • n
  • c
  • e
  • d
  • p
  • r
  • o
  • f
  • i
  • c
  • i
  • e
  • n
  • c
  • y
  • i
  • n
  • p
  • o
  • w
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • y
  • s
  • t
  • e
  • m
  • m
  • o
  • d
  • e
  • l
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • t
  • o
  • o
  • l
  • s
  • s
  • u
  • c
  • h
  • a
  • s
  • P
  • S
  • S
  • /
  • E
  • ,
  • P
  • S
  • C
  • A
  • D
  • ,
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • T
  • S
  • A
  • T
  • ,
  • w
  • i
  • t
  • h
  • a
  • p
  • r
  • o
  • v
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • r
  • a
  • c
  • k
  • r
  • e
  • c
  • o
  • r
  • d
  • o
  • f
  • c
  • r
  • e
  • a
  • t
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • v
  • a
  • l
  • i
  • d
  • a
  • t
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • p
  • l
  • a
  • n
  • t
  • m
  • o
  • d
  • e
  • l
  • s
  • f
  • o
  • r
  • S
  • o
  • l
  • a
  • r
  • P
  • V
  • ,
  • B
  • E
  • S
  • S
  • ,
  • W
  • i
  • n
  • d
  • ,
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • c
  • o
  • n
  • v
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • i
  • o
  • n
  • a
  • l
  • p
  • r
  • o
  • j
  • e
  • c
  • t
  • s
  • .
  • -
  • S
  • t
  • r
  • o
  • n
  • g
  • l
  • e
  • a
  • d
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • h
  • i
  • p
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • p
  • r
  • o
  • j
  • e
  • c
  • t
  • m
  • a
  • n
  • a
  • g
  • e
  • m
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • s
  • k
  • i
  • l
  • l
  • s
  • ,
  • c
  • a
  • p
  • a
  • b
  • l
  • e
  • o
  • f
  • o
  • v
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • e
  • e
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • c
  • o
  • m
  • p
  • l
  • e
  • x
  • t
  • e
  • c
  • h
  • n
  • i
  • c
  • a
  • l
  • s
  • t
  • u
  • d
  • i
  • e
  • s
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • m
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • o
  • r
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • a
  • t
  • e
  • a
  • m
  • o
  • f
  • e
  • n
  • g
  • i
  • n
  • e
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • w
  • i
  • t
  • h
  • m
  • i
  • n
  • i
  • m
  • a
  • l
  • s
  • u
  • p
  • e
  • r
  • v
  • i
  • s
  • i
  • o
  • n
  • .
  • -
  • E
  • x
  • c
  • e
  • l
  • l
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • c
  • l
  • i
  • e
  • n
  • t
  • -
  • f
  • a
  • c
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • c
  • o
  • m
  • m
  • u
  • n
  • i
  • c
  • a
  • t
  • i
  • o
  • n
  • s
  • k
  • i
  • l
  • l
  • s
  • ,
  • a
  • b
  • l
  • e
  • t
  • o
  • a
  • r
  • t
  • i
  • c
  • u
  • l
  • a
  • t
  • e
  • t
  • e
  • c
  • h
  • n
  • i
  • c
  • a
  • l
  • f
  • i
  • n
  • d
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • s
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • s
  • t
  • r
  • a
  • t
  • e
  • g
  • i
  • e
  • s
  • t
  • o
  • d
  • i
  • v
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • e
  • s
  • t
  • a
  • k
  • e
  • h
  • o
  • l
  • d
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • ,
  • i
  • n
  • c
  • l
  • u
  • d
  • i
  • n
  • g
  • d
  • e
  • v
  • e
  • l
  • o
  • p
  • e
  • r
  • s
  • a
  • n
  • d
  • r
  • e
  • g
  • u
  • l
  • a
  • t
  • o
  • r
  • y
  • b
  • o
  • d
  • i
  • e
  • s
  • .

📝 Tips for Applying to Electric Power Engineers

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific ERCOT interconnection experience, including any successful projects or studies you've led. Use keywords from the job description like 'PSS/E', 'PSCAD', 'TSAT', 'EMT studies', and 'model benchmarking'.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with renewable plant models (Solar PV, BESS, Wind) and provide examples of how you've optimized interconnection strategies based on system impact studies.

3

Showcase your leadership and mentoring capabilities by describing instances where you've guided junior engineers or managed complex projects from start to finish.

4

If possible, include a portfolio or case studies of your modeling work, demonstrating your ability to create and validate plant models according to IEEE and ISO standards.

5

Research EPE's recent projects and publications, and mention any alignment with their mission of enhancing grid reliability and resiliency in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

- Highlight your in-depth knowledge of ERCOT interconnection processes and your ability to navigate the regulatory landscape. - Emphasize your technical expertise in EMT studies and model benchmarking, with specific examples of improving model accuracy and performance. - Discuss your experience leading teams and managing complex technical analyses, demonstrating your readiness for a principal-level role. - Express enthusiasm for EPE's mission and how your skills can contribute to their goal of designing the grid of the future.

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review EPE's website and recent news to understand their current projects and focus areas, especially regarding renewable integration in ERCOT.
  • Familiarize yourself with ERCOT's current interconnection queue and any recent rule changes or market updates.
  • Look into EPE's team structure and any published technical papers or webinars they've presented.
  • Understand the company's culture and values, and how they position themselves as a leader in grid resiliency.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a challenging interconnection study you led. How did you ensure accuracy and compliance with ERCOT requirements?
2 How do you approach model tuning for renewable plants to meet grid code requirements? Provide a specific example.
3 Can you explain your experience with PSCAD and how you've used it for EMT studies in inverter-based resources?
4 How do you handle disagreements with clients or stakeholders regarding interconnection study results?
5 What strategies do you use to stay updated with evolving IEEE and ISO standards related to power system modeling?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid being vague about your ERCOT experience; be specific about the types of studies you've performed and the tools you've used.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of leadership and communication skills; emphasize your ability to mentor and collaborate effectively.
  • Avoid not demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of the latest modeling standards and grid code requirements; show that you're proactive in continuous learning.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Electric Power Engineers!