System Operations Engineer

Job Title

System Operations Engineer

TRA
00ZS

Transmission Operations - Topeka General Office

Topeka, KS

• Engineer I: $68,500 - $85,600 - $102,700
• Engineer II: $83,600 - $104,500 - $125,400
• Staff Engineer: $93,400 - $116,800 - $140,200
• Sr Engineer: $94,600 - $126,100 - $157,600
• Lead Engineer: $111,400 - $148,500 - $185,600
• Principal Engineer: $116,200 - $154,900 - $193,600

Monday - Friday with occasional off-shift, weekend and call out hours to support 24 x 7 operations.

This role will provide engineering and operational support for system operations and will be responsible for the following duties as outlined:

• Support the department's mission to provide safe and reliable electric service, provide great service to all department customers, and conduct the department's business with a high level of professionalism.
• Improve operator tools and operations processes:
  • Enhance, monitor and maintain Energy Management System (EMS) features, operator tools, operator displays, and training simulator programs utilizing feedback from management, peers and operators.
  • Manage the implementation of new System Operator tools and coordinate resolution of issues associated with existing tools.
  • Develop, review, and recommend changes to operational policies, and normal, contingency, and emergency procedures and directives to ensure efficient and effective operations.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with NERC certified System Operators, Regional Transmission Organization staff, maintenance schedulers, field personnel, and power plant personnel to optimize transmission operations, generation operations, outage coordination, and real-time situational awareness.
  • Develop and implement operations performance metrics that drive continuous improvement and success, including the performance of department self-audits of key performance indicators.
• Support the department by assisting the System Operations Manager(s) and providing support during their absence:
  • Act as a Subject Matter Expert and help determine operations and compliance strategies to support NERC Compliance including participation during NERC Audits.
  • Gather, organize, and interpret data for NERC Compliance reporting and real‑time operations events.
  • Apply Human and Organizational Performance fundamentals and event investigation techniques in a continuous improvement culture.
  • Support Operations Training in the continuous development and administration of the Transmission System Operator Training Program to meet NERC requirements and maintain System Operator Certification.
  • Participate in various SPP Working Groups or Task Forces and North American Transmission Forum Practice Groups to determine appropriate improvement opportunities and drive improvement implementation.
• Periodically review, enhance, and communicate changes to the Outage Coordination process and associated software:
  • Perform outage coordination studies using State Estimator and Contingency Analysis applications and coordinate with operators, schedulers and field personnel to support efficient maintenance and construction projects.
  • Develop a working knowledge of Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) market rules including unit offers, unit commitment, unit dispatch, and curtailment and congestion management.
  • Maintain and report transmission equipment outage statistics.

The preferred candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical Engineering preferred) and will have related experience in transmission modeling, outage coordination, and transmission system planning and demonstrate knowledge of generation, transmission, distribution or substation systems, operation and maintenance, contingency mitigation re‑dispatching requirements. Knowledge of NERC and SPP reliability and compliance requirements related to System Operations is also preferred. The appropriate combination of education and experience may be considered for this role, from entry level to experienced candidates.

• Self‑Motivated Leader / Team Player who has demonstrated ability to identify functional area business needs and establish goals and objectives to ensure alignment with corporate goals.
• Previous supervisory experience will be considered a positive.
• Excellent interpersonal oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills: demonstrated ability to schedule and meet deadlines by prioritizing workload, developing schedules and communicating early when changes are necessary.
• The ability to evaluate multiple priorities and risks to coordinate activities to maximize reliability and efficiency of time and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal direct supervision, excel in a high energy team environment, and manage time pressures while maintaining a positive…