Posting Title
Researcher - Cyber-Physical Energy Systems
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Regular
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our eight employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.
Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.
Job Description
NREL's Cyber Systems Analysis Group is performing research to secure our energy systems from cyberattack, and to make them more resilient to disruptions of any type. Using an on-premises private cloud interconnected with unique and powerful laboratory systems, NREL’s cyber range powers our investigation of rapidly evolving communication systems, industrial control systems, internet of things (IoT), and the flow of energy on which we all depend. Our research significantly enhances energy security, resilience, efficiency, and affordability across the United States and the world.
Multidisciplinary teams including software engineers, network engineers, system architects, mathematicians, and security professionals work closely together. Every project involves collaboration across NREL’s domains of expertise – from renewable generation via wind, solar, and geothermal; to efficient energy consumption in smart buildings, electric vehicles, and industry; to the power systems, energy storage, data and control algorithms needed to ensure the whole system operates reliably.
The successful candidate will be expected to work 50-100% from Golden, CO, and up to 50% at a sponsor's location in southern California.
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Basic Qualifications
This position will be filled at the Researcher Level II or III based on the basic and required qualifications of the selected candidate.
Researcher III:
Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience .
Researcher II:
Master's Degree in Computer Science or related field. Or, Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related field, and 2 or more years of relevant experience.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Experience with cybersecurity tools, programs, and practices
Understanding of operational technology cybersecurity in an industrial control system, preferably with manufacturing or an electric utility in the United States.
Demonstrated experience working safely in laboratory or field with hardware or communications systems, including troubleshooting.
Knowledge of distributed energy resources.
Experience developing technical reports and delivering presentations
Knowledge of the cyber threat landscape for the energy sector
Demonstrated experience in collaborating across diverse teams
Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance at the Q/TS/SCI level.
Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information. Polygraph may be required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in threat hunting, red teaming, or cybersecurity competitions
- Experience with enterprise network configuration and management (Linux, Cisco, Cumulus, software defined networks)
- Use of VMWare, Docker, Kubernetes, and similar tools for research and/or in a system administration capacity
- Experience simulating energy systems, such as with OpenDSS, PowerWorld, or similar
- Hardware prototyping, including design and selection, firmware, or proof of concept using single-board computers
- An existing security clearance
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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $77,600 - $139,700Job Profile: Researcher II / Annual Salary Range: $71,300 - $117,600
Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.
* Based on eligibility rules
Drug Free Workplace
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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EEO Policy
NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
EEO is the Law | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Reasonable Accommodations
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