BT6 9RT, Belfast, County Antrim, United Kingdom
Role Title: Senior Lead Engineer
Reports to: Head of Future Power Systems
Location: Castlereagh House, Belfast (Hybrid)
About Us SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) is Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator (TSO). We manage the electricity grid to ensure that power can flow from where it is generated to where it is needed. We are now transforming the power system for future generations. Be part of the change! Our focus is on safety, security and reliability. Our work environment is challenging, fast-moving, collaborative and team orientated. Our culture is driven by performance, knowledge and continual development. Our people are committed to reducing Northern Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and making decarbonisation a reality – while providing a safe and reliable electricity supply in a way that secures the future for those who follow us. Our future has never looked more exciting. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of it. The world is ready for change. If you are too, join us.
The Role The Future Power Systems function within the Networks & Innovation Directorate is responsible for power system capacity & flexibility planning, techno-economic studies and future operations planning. This role sits within the Future Operations team and involves technical dynamic stability and security modelling of the All-Island power system in partnership with EirGrid. The team is responsible for developing, managing and maintaining the models underpinning the All-Island Lookahead Security Assessment Tool (LSAT), key to ensuring real-time secure operation of the All-Island Power System.
The team, in collaboration with their EirGrid counterparts, is also responsible for the delivery of the Operational Policy Roadmap. To ensure that Northern Ireland can manage up to 95% renewables at any point in time by 2030, the Operational Policy Roadmap lays a pathway to ensure future dynamic stability, manage reserves, and ramping, and changes to future operational policy. The team also leads the introduction of new tools to enhance our technical modelling and analysis to integrate new technologies into the system such as new technical capabilities from Grid form technologies. We now seek an innovative, solution-focused, resilient, and motivated individual to join the Future Operations team and play a key role in the transition to a low carbon energy future.
Key Responsibilities Developing and leading technical modelling programmes for National and European studies and providing insights for the relevant reports. Supporting model development to enhance our technical power system analysis, particularly dynamic and Electro-Magnetic Transient (EMT) modelling. Providing technical leadership to drive modelling changes that will enhance our agility and flexibility in power system technical dynamic modelling studies. Assisting your manager by working closely with IT to find the best software and hardware solutions for operational modelling requirements. Representing SONI at the Operational Policy Review Committee in respect of technical studies for jurisdictional and all-island projects. Running simulations to support our work in dynamic modelling studies, focusing on future interconnection; long duration energy storage and offshore projects and how they may enhance future dynamic stability. Identifying and implementing efficiencies in our modelling processes, such as using coding to automate modelling inputs. Providing dynamic modelling guidance to junior members of the team. Presenting model results both internally and externally. Determining key insights from the modelling activities and presenting these to internal and external stakeholders. Managing and coordinating the work of external consultants on key projects. Writing technical reports to support the techno-economic analysis carried out in the team. Supporting the team manager with the management of a broad range of business as usual and ad-hoc modelling projects. What You’ll Need Joining SONI as a Senior Lead Engineer, you’ll need: Essential:
University degree in engineering, or other relevant equivalent degree, with a minimum of 5 years power system industry and electricity market expertise and experience. Proven advanced technical knowledge of power systems, demand forecasting, transmission voltage control, generation dynamic behaviour, interconnection, and storage technology. Proven experience in Power system dynamic modelling skills, in software such as DSATools, PSCAD or PSSE, PowerFactory or similar. Proven experience in advanced use of Excel for data analysis and macro/Python coding development. Advanced problem-solving and analysis skills. Excellent communication skills to articulate complex model results to a non-technical audience. Experienced in writing and presenting technical reports. Demonstrated consultation skills, with change management concepts and strategies including communication, culture change, and performance measurement system design. Flexibility and agility to manage a wide range of issues simultaneously. Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team. Desirable:
Proven understanding/good technical knowledge of the Irish and Northern Irish power systems and how to model them. Understanding of how the SEM operates and how to model it. Understanding of National and European policy and operational modelling. Knowledge of alternative power system modelling and analysis techniques. Proficiency in project management as part of a team. Applicants should note that based on the response, SONI may increase the shortlisting criteria.
What You Will Get This is an opportunity to lead and contribute to the advancement of a critical component of the energy infrastructure. The rewards package includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience, eligibility for an annual performance-related payment, private medical provision, competitive pension with employer matching arrangements, a variety of salary sacrifice schemes (e.g., pension and cycle to work) together with hybrid working arrangements (3 days office: 2 days working at home), flexible start and finish times, competitive holidays, and complimentary car parking with electric charging point on site. If you are seeking a challenging and impactful role within the electricity sector, we invite you to apply. Submit your application by uploading your CV with a cover letter (in one document).
Closing date for applications is 07 February 2025.
SONI is an equal opportunities employer. SONI is not providing sponsorship for this role.
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About Us SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) is Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator (TSO). We manage the electricity grid to ensure that power can flow from where it is generated to where it is needed. We are now transforming the power system for future generations. Be part of the change! Our focus is on safety, security and reliability. Our work environment is challenging, fast-moving, collaborative and team orientated. Our culture is driven by performance, knowledge and continual development. Our people are committed to reducing Northern Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and making decarbonisation a reality – while providing a safe and reliable electricity supply in a way that secures the future for those who follow us. Our future has never looked more exciting. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of it. The world is ready for change. If you are too, join us.
The Role The Future Power Systems function within the Networks & Innovation Directorate is responsible for power system capacity & flexibility planning, techno-economic studies and future operations planning. This role sits within the Future Operations team and involves technical dynamic stability and security modelling of the All-Island power system in partnership with EirGrid. The team is responsible for developing, managing and maintaining the models underpinning the All-Island Lookahead Security Assessment Tool (LSAT), key to ensuring real-time secure operation of the All-Island Power System.
The team, in collaboration with their EirGrid counterparts, is also responsible for the delivery of the Operational Policy Roadmap. To ensure that Northern Ireland can manage up to 95% renewables at any point in time by 2030, the Operational Policy Roadmap lays a pathway to ensure future dynamic stability, manage reserves, and ramping, and changes to future operational policy. The team also leads the introduction of new tools to enhance our technical modelling and analysis to integrate new technologies into the system such as new technical capabilities from Grid form technologies. We now seek an innovative, solution-focused, resilient, and motivated individual to join the Future Operations team and play a key role in the transition to a low carbon energy future.
Key Responsibilities Developing and leading technical modelling programmes for National and European studies and providing insights for the relevant reports. Supporting model development to enhance our technical power system analysis, particularly dynamic and Electro-Magnetic Transient (EMT) modelling. Providing technical leadership to drive modelling changes that will enhance our agility and flexibility in power system technical dynamic modelling studies. Assisting your manager by working closely with IT to find the best software and hardware solutions for operational modelling requirements. Representing SONI at the Operational Policy Review Committee in respect of technical studies for jurisdictional and all-island projects. Running simulations to support our work in dynamic modelling studies, focusing on future interconnection; long duration energy storage and offshore projects and how they may enhance future dynamic stability. Identifying and implementing efficiencies in our modelling processes, such as using coding to automate modelling inputs. Providing dynamic modelling guidance to junior members of the team. Presenting model results both internally and externally. Determining key insights from the modelling activities and presenting these to internal and external stakeholders. Managing and coordinating the work of external consultants on key projects. Writing technical reports to support the techno-economic analysis carried out in the team. Supporting the team manager with the management of a broad range of business as usual and ad-hoc modelling projects. What You’ll Need Joining SONI as a Senior Lead Engineer, you’ll need: Essential:
University degree in engineering, or other relevant equivalent degree, with a minimum of 5 years power system industry and electricity market expertise and experience. Proven advanced technical knowledge of power systems, demand forecasting, transmission voltage control, generation dynamic behaviour, interconnection, and storage technology. Proven experience in Power system dynamic modelling skills, in software such as DSATools, PSCAD or PSSE, PowerFactory or similar. Proven experience in advanced use of Excel for data analysis and macro/Python coding development. Advanced problem-solving and analysis skills. Excellent communication skills to articulate complex model results to a non-technical audience. Experienced in writing and presenting technical reports. Demonstrated consultation skills, with change management concepts and strategies including communication, culture change, and performance measurement system design. Flexibility and agility to manage a wide range of issues simultaneously. Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team. Desirable:
Proven understanding/good technical knowledge of the Irish and Northern Irish power systems and how to model them. Understanding of how the SEM operates and how to model it. Understanding of National and European policy and operational modelling. Knowledge of alternative power system modelling and analysis techniques. Proficiency in project management as part of a team. Applicants should note that based on the response, SONI may increase the shortlisting criteria.
What You Will Get This is an opportunity to lead and contribute to the advancement of a critical component of the energy infrastructure. The rewards package includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience, eligibility for an annual performance-related payment, private medical provision, competitive pension with employer matching arrangements, a variety of salary sacrifice schemes (e.g., pension and cycle to work) together with hybrid working arrangements (3 days office: 2 days working at home), flexible start and finish times, competitive holidays, and complimentary car parking with electric charging point on site. If you are seeking a challenging and impactful role within the electricity sector, we invite you to apply. Submit your application by uploading your CV with a cover letter (in one document).
Closing date for applications is 07 February 2025.
SONI is an equal opportunities employer. SONI is not providing sponsorship for this role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
