Senior Engineer, System Planning; Hybrid

Eversource will not offer immigration-related sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B, O-1, J-1, TN, E-3, etc.). Applicants requiring visa sponsorship to start employment with Eversource will not be considered.

Role and Scope of Position:
The Senior Engineer, System Planning for VPP, NWA, and Flexible Interconnection Strategy will support the development and implementation of advanced distribution planning solutions across Eversource's electric system and will be reporting to the Manager of Integrated Energy Planning (IEP). The role will combine traditional distribution planning analysis with emerging grid technologies, customer-side resources, and advanced operational strategies. The senior engineer will work closely with System Planning, Grid Modernization, Operations, DER Integration, Regulatory, and other internal stakeholders to translate identified system needs into actionable alternative solutions.

The position will be responsible for conducting Non-Wires Alternatives (NWAs) evaluations for all major capital projects, which will be filed to siting boards in all three jurisdictions. This includes writing filing petitions, answering information requests by state regulators, and appearing as a witness for the Company in proceedings. This position will also assist the Director IEP in developing and updating the Non-Wires Alternative standards, documentation, tools and processes.

In addition, this position will support the Company's VPP effort by proactively identifying capital projects that are suitable for long-term deferral through VPP development, working with the Director IEP and supporting the Director of Customer DER Solutions and Vice President Renewable Programs and Strategy.

This position shall also act as a central coordinator within System Planning for Flexible Interconnection policies, procedures, and related regulatory filings.

Essential Functions:

• Non-Wires Alternatives
  • Screen major distribution system needs and capital projects for potential NWA opportunities.
  • Perform detailed technical evaluations of NWA solutions, including energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, battery storage, managed EV charging, and other DER solutions.
  • Determine the magnitude, duration, timing, location, and reliability characteristics of the system need that an NWA must address.
  • Develop technical performance requirements for NWA solicitations and evaluate proposed solutions against traditional infrastructure alternatives.
  • Support cost, risk, reliability, implementation-timeline, and operational assessments of NWA portfolios.
  • Lead alternative evaluations for petition filings and represent the Company as key technical witness.
• Virtual Power Plants
  • Identify geographic areas where aggregations of customer DERs could provide meaningful distribution-system value.
  • Analyze system needs and determine the type, quantity, location, availability, and duration of DER flexibility required.
  • Work with Energy Efficiency and other teams to identify potential VPP resources including batteries, EVs, thermostatically controlled loads, solar-plus-storage, and other dispatchable resources.
  • Support development of VPP pilots and programs designed to test distribution-level grid services and operational use cases.
• Flexible Interconnection
  • Coordinate Flexible Interconnection Efforts across the three jurisdictions, supporting the respective managers and lead engineers.
  • Provide engineering support for flexible interconnection strategies and evaluate their potential application to NTA/NWA and VPP solutions, as well as support to customer-facing teams so those teams are able to effectively advocate for these solutions with their external contacts as appropriate.
  • Support development and refinement of flexible-interconnection planning criteria, methodologies, and technical standards.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Serve as a technical subject-matter expert on emerging distribution planning solutions.
  • Lead or support multidisciplinary teams involving Planning, Operations, Engineering, IT/OT, Grid Modernization, Regulatory, Customer Programs, and DER organizations.
  • Communicate complex engineering analyses clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Support regulatory proceedings, stakeholder processes, and responses to information requests related to NWAs, flexible interconnection, VPPs, and advanced system planning.
  • Monitor industry developments and incorporate relevant utility best practices, standards, technologies, and analytical approaches.

Technical…