Application Guide

How to Apply for Team Lead, ROCC

at The AES Corporation

๐Ÿข About The AES Corporation

AES is a global leader in renewable energy, operating one of the largest solar and battery storage portfolios in the US. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability, combined with a collaborative culture, offers a unique opportunity to drive the energy transition at scale. Working at AES means being part of a team that values safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.

About This Role

As Team Lead of the Renewable Operations Control Center (ROCC), you'll oversee a growing team of 10-12+ operators and coordinators, ensuring 24/7 compliance with NERC standards while optimizing renewable asset performance. This role is critical to AES's mission of delivering reliable, clean energy, as you'll lead real-time decision-making and drive process improvements that directly impact grid stability and company goals.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day starts with a shift handoff, reviewing overnight events and compliance logs, then leading a team huddle to prioritize tasks. You'll spend time monitoring SCADA screens for alarms, approving outage requests, and coaching operators on real-time decisions. Afternoons often involve cross-functional meetings with engineering or compliance teams to drive process improvements or prepare for audits.

๐ŸŽฏ Who The AES Corporation Is Looking For

  • Experienced in control room or power plant operations, specifically with renewable assets like solar, wind, or battery storage, with a deep understanding of real-time dispatch and grid integration.
  • A proven leader with 3+ years managing teams of at least 3 direct reports in a power industry setting, skilled in coaching, performance management, and fostering a compliance-driven culture.
  • Technically adept with SCADA systems (e.g., OSIsoft PI, GE iFIX, or similar) and able to troubleshoot data flows, alarms, and control issues under pressure.
  • Knowledgeable about NERC reliability standards (e.g., BAL, TOP, IRO) and experienced in implementing compliance programs, with a track record of passing audits or inspections.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to The AES Corporation

1

Highlight specific NERC standards you've worked with (e.g., BAL-005, TOP-001) and any audit results or compliance improvements you drove.

2

Quantify your leadership experience: mention team size, direct reports, and any growth you managed (e.g., scaling a team from 5 to 10).

3

Emphasize your SCADA proficiency by naming specific systems and describing how you used them for real-time monitoring, alarm management, or data analysis.

4

Showcase continuous improvement wins: provide examples of process changes you implemented that increased efficiency, reduced downtime, or improved compliance.

5

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'renewable energy assets,' 'control room operations,' 'NERC reliability,' and 'leadership.'

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for renewable energy and AES's mission to accelerate a sustainable energy future.", 'Your hands-on experience in control room operations for renewable assets, with specific examples of managing grid events or optimizing generation.', 'Your leadership philosophy and how you build a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement within a team.', 'Your familiarity with NERC standards and any direct experience in compliance audits or training programs.']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Review AES's latest sustainability report and renewable energy projects (e.g., solar-plus-storage facilities) to understand their asset portfolio.
  • โ†’ Familiarize yourself with AES's 'Safety First' culture and any recent safety initiatives or awards.
  • โ†’ Study AES's approach to NERC compliance, including any public filings or case studies on their control center operations.
  • โ†’ Look into AES's innovation areas like green hydrogen or advanced grid analytics to show awareness of future directions.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed a critical grid event (e.g., frequency deviation, equipment failure) and how you ensured compliance and safety.
2 How would you onboard and train a new operator to meet NERC standards and AES's operational protocols?
3 Walk me through your experience with SCADA systems: how have you used data to identify performance issues or improve operations?
4 How do you balance strict compliance requirements with the need for operational efficiency? Give an example.
5 What continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) have you applied in a control room setting, and what results did you achieve?
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't downplay the importance of NERC complianceโ€”emphasize your commitment to regulatory rigor, not just operational goals.
  • Avoid vague leadership examples; be specific about team size, challenges, and measurable outcomes (e.g., reduced response times by 20%).
  • Don't neglect to mention renewable energy experience if you have itโ€”this role is focused on renewables, so generic power plant experience may not suffice.

๐Ÿ“… 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

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The AES Corporation!