Sr. Operations Engineer or Sr. Operations Engineer II (Architecture)
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
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.
- Sr. Engineer Pay Range: $106,500 - $123,700
- Sr Engineer II Pay Range: $123,700 - $135,000
Join our team as an Operations Engineer!
Are you an experienced engineer with a passion for power system reliability and a deep understanding of transmission network operations? We are seeking a highly skilled and self-motivated Operations Engineer to join our team supporting the SPP (Southwest Power Pool) Regions. This role is central to ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of the bulk electric system through engineering analysis, technical studies, and data-driven solutions.
As an Operations Engineer, you will provide both real-time and forward-looking engineering support across Reliability, Market Operations, Tariff Administration, and Scheduling. You will also serve as a key liaison with regional and inter-regional partners and industry groups including NERC, WECC, and SPP committees and task forces.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide advanced engineering analysis and technical support for Coordinated Operations.
- Perform real-time and forward-looking assessments using tools such as Real-time Contingency Analysis, Powerflow, Transient Stability, and Market Flow Calculators.
- Support and lead special projects, both internally and in coordination with the Supervisor.
- Lead and participate in industry committees, subcommittees, and task forces.
- Demonstrate strong working knowledge of tariff and market rules; ensure compliance with NERC, FERC, and SPP standards.
- Develop and maintain Operations-related applications, models, and processes.
- Collect and validate data for real-time and future-day operations studies.
- Contribute to the strategic planning and long-range goals of the organization.
- Mentor junior staff and serve as a subject matter expert within key technical areas.
- Ensure all assigned compliance documentation is accurate and audit-ready.
- Promote and embody the SPP Mission, Core Values, and Culture Drivers.
To be successful in the role we're looking for:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, this degree should:
- Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation),
- The degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field, and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
- Sr Engineer – Five (5) years of relevant engineering experience, a professional engineer license, or an advanced degree may satisfy the requirement for one year of experience.
- Sr Engineer II - Nine (9) years of relevant Engineering experience; Professional Engineer License or Advanced degree in related field of study may satisfy one (1) year of experience requirement. Two (2) years of experience may satisfy both a Professional Engineer License and Advanced degree in related field.
- Competent with the administrative and communication tools for word processing, spread sheet development and time keeping, as a minimum
- Strong knowledge of several power systems analysis tools applicable to power system steady state, dynamic, short circuit, or database management systems
- Strong inter-personal and teamwork skills along with good written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent working skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, Access
- Understanding and comply with compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
Preferred:
- A Professional Engineer License
- Advanced degree in related field of study
- Electric Utility Industry experience
- Proficient with most SPP power systems analysis tools with a solid command of several SPP tools and/or processes
- Sound understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria and the SPP Committee structure
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.
Travel Requirement:
This position requires minimal travel (approximately 0-10%).
SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool .
Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.
Education
Preferred- Bachelors or better
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
