Lead and Senior Technical Analyst - Balancing Authority Operations

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by:
Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

• Lead Tech Analyst
  - Salary range: $112,240 - $145,810
• Sr. Tech Analyst
  - Salary range: $97,580 - $126,795

Overview

The Lead Technical Analyst - Balancing Authority Operations is responsible for leading complex analysis, studies, and data evaluation in support of SPP's Balancing Authority functions, with a focus on identifying and managing uncertainty and risk associated with BA obligations. This role supports both intra-day and forward-looking horizons, with direct alignment to Reliability, Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC), and Balancing functions. The position plays a key role in integrating market outcomes with real-time operations by analyzing how market dispatch, interchange schedules, and system conditions translate into actual system performance.

This includes identifying and resolving discrepancies between market results and operational data to ensure accurate, reliable, and defensible outcomes. In addition to technical leadership, this role coordinates analytical efforts across functions and provides support for SPP committees, working groups, and task forces, representing System Operations as needed. This position operates with a high degree of independence, performing complex assignments with minimal guidance, and is expected to apply advanced judgment in both real-time support and after-the-fact analysis.

Core Responsibilities

Lead Technical Analyst - Responsibilities

• Lead analytical support for Balancing Authority operations, including real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking assessments of SPP's ability to meet reliability obligations and performance targets.
• Monitor, analyze, and support performance related to NERC Balancing Authority metrics, including CPS1 and BAAL, identifying drivers of performance and recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Evaluate how market outcomes, including dispatch, commitment decisions, and interchange schedules, translate into actual system performance, ensuring alignment between market results and Balancing Authority objectives.
• Perform operational and market studies to assess available generation capacity, interchange capability, and system flexibility, providing actionable recommendations to maintain reliability and performance standards.
• Develop, validate, and analyze operational data, including meter data and interchange values, to support accurate checkout processes and ensure defensible reporting and settlements.
• Make recommendations to management and Operations functions regarding actions necessary to maintain adequate resource availability, control Area Control Error (ACE), and support compliance with reliability standards.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools, models, and processes to improve visibility into system performance, including metrics related to ACE, interchange, and resource sufficiency.
• Conduct post-event and performance analysis to evaluate system response, benchmark results against expectations, and implement improvements to operational processes and analytical methodologies.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of SPP Tariff, market rules, and operating procedures, and recommend enhancements to improve alignment between market constructs and operational reliability needs.
• Ensure…