Senior Engineer, Grid Integration

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), a Fortune 500 company that's leading the charge in the global energy revolution. With operations spanning 14 countries, AES is committed to shaping a future through innovation and collaboration. Our dedication to innovation has earned us recognition as one of the Top Ten Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company in 2022. And with our certification as a Great Place to Work, you can be confident that you're joining a company that values its people just as much as its groundbreaking ideas.

AES is proudly ranked #1 globally in renewable energy sales to corporations, and with $12.7B in revenues in 2023, we have the resources and expertise to make a significant impact as we provide electricity to 25 million customers worldwide. As the world moves towards a net-zero future, AES is committed to meeting the Paris Agreement's goals by 2050. Our innovative solutions, such as 24/7 carbon-free energy for data centers, are setting the pace for rapid, global decarbonization.

If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a cleaner, more sustainable future - we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in the global energy transformation.

AES is seeking a Senior Engineer, Grid Integration, to join our Technology Solutions team. In this pivotal role, you will lead the development and deployment of innovative solutions for clean energy microgrids, grid-forming technologies, and grid stability/integration of clean energy plants with the world's most complex grid codes, with a particular emphasis on resilience solutions for large loads. You will bridge engineering and commercial objectives to deliver reliable, efficient, and cost-effective clean energy solutions worldwide.

As a Senior Engineer for Grid Integration, you will be responsible for designing and prototyping system architectures for advanced grid applications and large load integration. You will develop operational requirements and provide system control integration guidance in collaboration with controls subject matter experts (SMEs). Your responsibilities will also include coordinating project de-risking strategies with AES' Technology Solutions group, executing new technology capabilities at pilot sites, and documenting key lessons learned to facilitate the transition from pilot projects to full-scale engineering and commercialization.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical engineering, systems engineering, or renewable energy engineering. Proficiency with PSCAD or similar electromagnetic transient (EMT) power system simulation software is essential, as you will simulate and analyze power system stability scenarios to support the integration of emerging technologies. You will interpret technical requirements for projects incorporating new solutions by coordinating reviews of subcontractors' and vendors' development of plant- and site-level architectures, and by defining technical specifications for renewable power plant sub-systems - including power conversion systems, plant controllers, energy storage, solar arrays, and other clean energy technologies relevant to advanced grid solutions and grid codes - leveraging insights from AES equipment SMEs.

We are seeking a candidate who is passionate about clean energy and decarbonization, possesses strong organizational skills, and can effectively analyze on-site test data and communicate findings to the broader AES engineering teams. Curiosity about new technologies and a drive to deliver innovative system solutions are highly valued.

This position is based in Louisville, CO, and may require up to 30% travel to project locations and international partners. Remote work arrangements are available.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities for this position will be to:

• Simulate and perform power system stability analyses using software such as PSCAD and/or PSSE for systems integrating new technologies and applications (EMT modeling experience preferred)

• Develop project-specific system architecture concepts and technical documentation to support the development of new system functionalities, including clean generation and energy storage integration with data centers and the broader grid network

• Identify high-level project objectives and coordinate with project teams and equipment subject matter experts (SMEs) to select equipment that defines potential solutions

• Collaborate with the AES Technology Solutions group to establish de-risking objectives, review test plans, and analyze results from AES or vendor testbeds

• Synthesize lessons learned during the technology de-risking phase and apply them to the project's design and execution phases with larger project engineering teams

• Support the development and execution of test plans for functionality testing at pilot project sites as needed

• Review results from offline and real-time simulations of new technology applications in AES power plants with the AES Generator Modeling team, and incorporate insights into the development of future products and projects

• Transfer project-specific materials (share experience and guidance) to product engineers to assist in creating engineering product documents, such as templates, design guidelines, tools, and training materials

Skills and Qualifications

• Candidate must have a BS degree. MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a relevant field is preferred.

• 5+ years experience required. Experience in clean energy strongly preferred.

• EMT power system modeling or similar experience strongly preferred; Experience with large load modeling (data centers, industrial facilities) and microgrids is a plus

• A willingness to learn about a wide array of renewable energy technologies - Power conversion systems (inverters), microgrids, plant controls, data centers, and large loads

• Must be willing to persevere through failures during new technology development/execution, and eventually turn any failures into success

• Must be a team player capable of working with engineering, project management, and commercial teams across the organization

• Experience in power plant design, commissioning, and operations is a plus

• Strong documentation and technical reporting experience