Electrical Engineering Manager - NERC Compliance - Renewable Energy
TLDR
Provide technical leadership on NERC reliability and grid-integration requirements for large renewable energy projects, focusing on inverter-based resources.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Electrical Engineering Manager – NERC Compliance provides technical leadership on NERC reliability and grid‑integration requirements for McCarthy’s utility‑scale renewable energy projects, with an emphasis on inverter‑based resources (IBRs) such as PV, BESS, and hybrid plants. This role leads or reviews NERC‑driven studies and modeling, supports interconnection and performance requirements with utilities and ISOs/RTOs. The engineer works closely with preconstruction, design management, performance engineering, commissioning and client teams from early design through energization and turnover.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead or support NERC compliance activities for McCarthy built renewable facilities, focusing on PRC, MOD, TPL, and FAC standards applicable to IBRs and associated MV/HV systems.‑built renewable facilities, focusing on PRC, MOD, TPL, and FAC standards applicable to IBRs and associated MV/HV systems.
- Plan, review, and document studies required for NERC compliance (e.g., PRC‑019/024/025/026/027 and MOD‑025/026/027/032) in coordination with owners, EORs, and testing partners.
- Develop or review models of PV, BESS, and hybrid plants and associated collector/substation systems in tools such as PSCAD or equivalent.
- Evaluate IBR ride‑through and reactive performance against applicable standards and grid codes; recommend and track corrective actions where gaps are identified.
- Coordinate with Protection & Control, SCADA, and substation engineering to align protection settings, plant controls, and communications with NERC and interconnection requirements.
- Support commissioning and post energization activities by reviewing test plans and results (e.g., capability and model validation tests) and capturing compliance grade reports and evidence.‑energization activities by reviewing test plans and results (e.g., capability and model validation tests) and capturing compliance‑grade reports and evidence.
- Serve as a technical resource to project teams and clients on NERC expectations, IBR modeling practices, and interpretation of study results.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (power systems focus preferred) or closely related discipline.
- 8+ years of power systems engineering experience, including 3+ years on utility scale generation, transmission, or substation projects with significant renewables/IBR exposure.‑scale generation, transmission, or substation projects with significant renewables/IBR exposure.
- Handson experience with power system analysis tools (e.g., PSS®E, PSLF, PSCAD, ETAP, ASPEN OneLiner or similar) for load flow, short-circuit, and/or protection/stability studies.‑on experience with power system analysis tools (e.g., PSS®E, PSLF, ‑flow, short‑circuit, and/or protection/stability studies.
- Experience with NERC standards related to generator/IBR performance and modeling (e.g., PRC‑019/024/025/026/027; MOD‑025/026/027/032) and how they inform technical studies.
- Familiarity with inverter based resources and plant level controls for utility scale PV and/or BESS, including ridethrough and reactive power capabilities.‑based resources and plant‑level controls for utility‑scale PV and/or BESS, including ride‑through and reactive power capabilities.
- Direct experience developing and validating EMT models for inverter based resources using PSSE/PSLF and PSCAD or equivalent tools.‑based resources using PSSE/PSLF and PSCAD or equivalent tools.
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (power systems emphasis).
- Prior experience supporting NERC compliance programs (e.g., coordinating technical evidence, supporting audits or self certifications).‑certifications).
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Electrical, or ability to obtain in a reasonable timeframe.
McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: McCarthy’s Talent Acquisition Team is the only authorized representative permitted to engage with external search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting partners. McCarthy maintains an Approved Agency List for recruiting partners, which is reviewed and updated annually.
McCarthy will only consider submissions from agencies with a signed fee agreement in place for the current year. McCarthy does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or referrals from agencies that do not meet these requirements.
If a candidate is submitted without an active agreement, McCarthy will have no obligation to pay any fees and reserves the right to contact, engage, interview, or hire such candidate(s) without any financial or other responsibility to the submitting agency. Unsolicited resumes, including those sent directly to hiring managers or other employees, will be considered the property of McCarthy.