Senior R&TD Engineer I - (Electrical/Mechanical)

Summary

The ideal candidate would have background in implementing technologies related to customer solutions, along with expertise in utility renewables, energy programs, facility decarbonization and Building Electrification.  Performs research, design, and development activities to improve NYPA’s energy services.  Designs, selects, tests, evaluates and implements new technology. Ensures that standards of quality, cost, safety, reliability, timeliness and performance are met throughout all engineering activities.

Performs research, design, and development activities to improve NYPA’s energy services.  Designs, selects, tests, evaluates and implements new technology. Ensures that standards of quality, cost, safety, reliability, timeliness and performance are met throughout all engineering activities.

Responsible for developing new, highly technical, and innovative ideas, tools, and techniques that have the potential to reduce NYPA’s operation and maintenance costs and increase NYPA’s power systems’ efficiency, reliability, and safety. This includes working with NYPA’s internal constituencies as well as external research and development organizations to develop, implement, test, and evaluate the efficacy of new technologies, tools, and techniques. #LI-VB1

Responsibilities

• [Electrical – Prepare the design and implement advanced generation and transmission technologies at NYPA facilities including, but not limited to, synchrophasor measurements, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), dynamic line rating, advanced closed loop controls, settlingless protection, and unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic inspection for transmission lines.]
• [Mechanical – Prepare the, design, and implement advanced generation and transmission technologies at NYPA facilities including, but not limited to,  energy systems , power plant systems, materials, structural analysis, transmission line inspection and monitoring devices, and unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics]
• Implement innovative technology projects at NYPA sites and customer locations by specifying technical request for proposals and supervising contractors to procure and install equipment and demonstrate new technology solutions.
• Review technical input and guidance to NYPA facilities in generation and transmission technologies, and energy storage through research and industry collaboration.
• Manage original research on technical solutions to resolve generation and transmission problems at NYPA’s facilities
• Obtain project co-funding by forming multidisciplinary teams to solicit, prepare and manage grant and cost share agreements to reduce program costs and build stakeholder support
• Participate in industry committees and industry groups by preparing reports and presentations and coordinating project collaboration to leverage industry knowledge for NYPA and customer benefits.
• Implement new technologies by leveraging in house technical expertise with industry knowledge and experience to provide technology solutions to NYPA’s core business and its customers
• Prepare budget proposals, project scheduling and project reporting.
• Keep abreast of the latest technological developments, products and revisions in the electric utility industry.
• Keep abreast of the latest technological developments, products and revisions in the electric utility industry.  Must be able to provide technical leadership across NYPA in the areas of expertise: project management, power generation and transmission, energy storage, energy analysis, utility interconnections, life cycle cost analysis, project financing strategies, and energy systems and controls.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Highly technical and self-motivated individual; must be persuasive and possess strong negotiating skills; provide guidance and motivation to supervised contractors and to customer representatives.     
• Strong project management skills required to implement studies and projects; ability to work independently or as part of an interdisciplinary team.  
• Detailed understanding of the electric utility industry; broad technical knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines; understanding of NYPA's interaction with outside organizations, including other utilities, research organizations, universities, manufacturers, contractors, regulatory agencies and customers
• Excellent interpersonal skills; good written and verbal communication skills; possess the ability to effectively present ideas to and persuade intended audiences. 
• Ability to work independently to investigate, analyze and develop solutions to unique and multi-faceted problems and complex issues.
• Working knowledge of various metering devices, instrumentation and control and data acquisition equipment.  Working knowledge of computer based office programs for word processing and data manipulation

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related Engineering discipline is required.  An advanced degree is highly preferred
• Minimum of ten (10) years of applicable experience with a utility, research organization, relevant manufacturer, consultant or energy services company preferred.
• PE license or a Phd in the hiring discipline is desirable.  For a PE License, it is desirable that the incumbent have the qualifications to sit for Part I and/or Part II of the PE exam.   

Physical Requirements

• Approximately 10% travel primarily within NY State
• Ability to observe and direct work in the field at customer facilities, power plants, under transmission lines, and in transmission substations.
• Valid driver’s license.