Lead/Principal Engineer Renewables and Data Center Modeling and Studies

Company Description

Elevate Energy Consulting was formed to elevate

clients across the electricity ecosystem as we strive for a reliable, resilient, and affordable clean energy future. With a blend of deep expertise across bulk power system planning, design, control, protection, and operations, we support our clients tackling the most challenging issues facing the energy transition. Our experience and deep regulatory background in North America also enable us to support clients to ensure compliance with existing and future obligations.

We work on diverse projects to help

elevate

our clients across a broad spectrum of reliability-centered topics – modeling, studies, protection settings, event analysis, optimization, systems integration, process improvements, internal controls, compliance evidence, etc. Our goal is to

uplift

and

elevate

our clients and to ensure that our work has positive impact for the betterment of our industry and society. Join our rapidly growing team to tackle imminent challenges facing the grid of the future.

Position Summary

As an early stage startup with big plans to have a significant positive impact on the electricity sector, this role will play a key part in helping the organization tackle exciting projects related to studying the reliability impacts of a world dominated by inverter-based resources (IBRs), such as solar, wind, and energy storage resources. The candidate for this position will lead large modeling and studies projects related to developing IBR models and conducting model quality checks; conducting detailed powerflow, dynamics, short-circuit, and electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies; interfacing with clients to support modeling and studies projects; and provide technical guidance, oversight, and coaching to team members. This is a unique and rare opportunity to join highly technical industry leaders with a clear mission and vision.

Roles and Responsibilities

This lead/principal engineer role will be responsible for serving as a subject matter expert on power system modeling and studies, inverter-based resource modeling, data center modelling and study work, and a range of other engineering projects to support renewables integration and analyses. The role will involve technical modeling and study work as well as overseeing larger high-priority projects and providing coaching to other team members.

The following are a list of roles, responsibilities, and projects related to this position:

- Lead and conduct advanced power system studies, including powerflow, dynamics, EMT, and short-circuit analyses—focused on the reliability of integrating inverter-based resources (IBRs) and datacenter loads into the bulk power system.

- Develop detailed power system models for both IBRs (grid following and grid forming) and datacenters, ensuring high-fidelity representation of control systems, load profiles, and system architectures; perform rigorous model quality checks and validation within interconnected grid environments.

- Drive the development and use of advanced automation scripts and tools in-house to effectively conduct reliability studies at-scale, and help build systems and tools to drive business efficiencies in this area.

- Collaborate with clients on targeted projects to enhance modeling tools, refine processes, and clarify requirements related to evolving datacenter topologies, grid code compliance, and the integration of renewable resources within modern energy systems.

- Provide deep subject matter expertise in datacenter and IBR modeling to internal teams and external stakeholders—including transmission service providers, planners, system operators, renewable project developers, generator owners, and regulatory bodies across North America.

- Lead transmission planning reliability studies to support utilities and planners in evaluating future scenarios and grid impacts resulting from increased datacenter loads and high-penetration IBRs; projects may range from local to interconnection-wide analyses.

- Apply first principles and engineering fundamentals to develop best practices addressing emerging reliability risks in datacenter operations and IBR integration, including system oscillations, protection and control, and advanced inverter technologies.

- Analyze the evolving resource mix and its effects on bulk power system reliability, focusing on low system strength conditions, grid-forming inverter technology, datacenter-induced oscillations, impacts to protection and control systems, frequency response, voltage stability, and control interactions.

- Lead the preparation of comprehensive modeling and study reports, technical documentation, and project deliverables that clearly communicate findings and recommendations for both datacenter and IBR integration projects.

- Deliver high-impact technical presentations to clients and industry audiences, sharing insights on datacenter modeling, IBR controls, and reliability best practices; actively contribute to thought leadership and professional development within the electricity sector.

- Consistently deliver exceptional value to clients through expert analysis, the achievement of key project milestones, and the successful completion of deliverables related to datacenter and IBR modeling.

- Establish and nurture relationships with industry leaders, executives, policymakers, and other stakeholders to advance best practices and foster collaboration around datacenter and IBR integration challenges.

- Engage with clients virtually and in-person to understand their specific needs, and communicate complex technical concepts in both verbal and written formats tailored to datacenter and IBR modeling contexts.

Qualifications

Candidates should have the following

required qualifications:

- A Master’s or PhD degree in electrical engineering with a specialization in power systems engineering (or closely related field) from an accredited college or university.

- Specialized experience focused on grid reliability, inverter-based resources, renewable energy interconnections, modeling, power system studies, protection and control systems, etc.

- Demonstrated in-depth expertise in IBRs, with the ability to thoroughly explain and accurately model the detailed operation of IBR control systems. This includes advanced understanding of control structures such as inverter switching mechanisms, dq-frame current control strategies, outer loop control structures, power plant controllers, and the nuances of control parameter tuning.

- Possesses strong proficiency in identifying and modeling each electrical component of an IBR within industry-standard simulation tools such as PSCAD EMT and PSS/E and how to build these models from data provided by Clients.

- Well-versed in the implementation and technical requirements of grid-following control strategies, and brings additional value through hands-on experience with grid-forming controls, which are increasingly critical for modern power systems with high renewable penetration. Capable of translating complex IBR control concepts into practical simulation models and effectively communicating these principles to clients and industry stakeholders.

- Demonstrated expertise in datacenter modeling with a comprehensive understanding of data center topology and the system architecture. Understands key operational challenges such as system oscillations present in datacenter loads and is well-versed in industry grid code requirements. Deep knowledge on existing standard mitigation strategies possess project experience executing robust datacenter modeling studies.

- At least 8+ years of deep technical experience in renewable energy resource and power system modeling and planning areas.

- Extensive expertise conducting powerflow, dynamics, short-circuit, and EMT simulations, including the modeling and representation of renewable energy resources.

- Extensive experience using multiple power system analysis tools such as PSS/E, TSAT, PSCAD, nd strong automation and programming skills such as using Python. Experience in real-time simulation is considered a plus.

- Excellent communications skills including both written and verbal communication, and examples of successfully leveraging these skills across the industry.

- Strong interpersonal skills, compelling presentation skills, and the ability to establish strategic relationships.

- A highly-motivated self-starter and driven individual with the ability to work independently and in the face of uncertainty.

Physical requirements for this role include:

- Must be able to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a computer.

- Ability to travel to job sites, both in an office environment and in the field.

Additional Details

- The final title for this role will be determined based on the qualifications of the candidate and on performance through the interview process.

- A background check will be conducted prior to employment.

- All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States or Canada and must complete employment eligibility verification documentation upon hire, in compliance with federal law.

- This is a fully remote role with some travel expected; a passport is required for North American and other international travel.

- This position has been classified as exempt.