Senior Transmission Planning Engineer - Stability Studies at ICF International in Reston, VA

Job description

Ready to make a difference? We are a relentlessly client-focused group re-imagining, re-designing, and re-engineering the way electric utilities tackle industry problems. Our transmission planning team delivers technically rigorous power system studies and strategic planning support to utilities, developers, and grid operators navigating one of the most dynamic periods in the history of the electric grid — from large-scale renewable interconnection and large load growth to FERC-driven transmission reform. We are seeking an experienced power system engineer with deep stability expertise who can independently execute transient stability and dynamic simulation studies, serve as a technical resource to clients and project teams, and help develop less-experienced engineers. Steady-state transmission planning experience is a strong plus. Why you will love working here: Quality of life: Flexible workplace arrangements, work-life balance Investment in the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!) The Ideal Candidate You are a technically deep power system stability engineer with a track record of leading complex stability and dynamic simulation studies from kickoff through final deliverable. You build, validate, and interpret dynamic models for conventional generation, inverter-based resources, and battery storage, and you can explain what the results mean for grid reliability. Experience with steady-state power flow and contingency analysis for transmission planning is a strong complement. You take ownership of your work and your clients. You move fluidly between dynamic studies, interconnection processes, and steady-state analysis without losing the thread. What you will be doing: Lead transient stability and dynamic simulation studies for utility planning and interconnection work using PSS/E, PSLF, and TSAT, evaluating conventional generation, inverter-based resources (IBR), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) Develop, review, validate, and tune dynamic models, including generic renewable models (e.g., WECC) and user-defined models, through model quality tests such as flat-start, step-response, and fault ride-through checks Assess stability performance against NERC TPL-001 and regional planning criteria and PRC-024/PRC-029 ride-through requirements, including voltage recovery, damping and oscillatory behavior, and critical clearing times Perform voltage stability (PV/QV), weak-grid, and short-circuit-ratio screening, and coordinate with electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies where needed Perform NERC reliability standards studies and assessments, including TPL-001 stability analysis and MOD-026/027/032/033 model verification and validation Lead the stability portion of generation and large-load interconnection impact studies, including feasibility, facilities, and cluster/serial study processes across CAISO, MISO, PJM, ERCOT, WECC, and other regional footprints Serve as technical lead or study manager on transmission planning engagements, owning scope, schedule, quality, and client relationship Develop Python-based automation and tooling to improve study execution efficiency, model management, and output quality Support steady-state load flow and contingency analysis (PSS/E, PSLF, PowerWorld) for utility transmission planning and interconnection studies Support long-range transmission expansion planning, including load growth, generation retirement, and renewable buildout scenarios and FERC Order 1920 and Order 2023 compliance work Author and QA technical study reports for regulatory filings, client deliverables, and interconnection submissions Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through technical review, guidance, and day-to-day collaboration Participate in business development through proposal writing, scope development,