Company Description
Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information about how Apex is building the energy company of the future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.
Apex strives to excel in every phase of project realization, from origination and financing to construction and asset management. Our mission-driven team seeks determined, resolute individuals who strive to innovate and go above the call of duty, and who will relentlessly do their part to help accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Power Systems Engineer with a specialized focus on compliance and protective relay systems. This role requires a deep understanding of regulatory requirements, protective relaying, and control systems. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and other relevant ISO standards, while also leading efforts to maintain and enhance our protection systems to support reliability and efficiency in power delivery.
Hours/Type: Full Time, Exempt
Department: Asset Management
Travel: 0-10%
Qualifications
Primary Responsibilities
- Compliance and Standards
- Ensure power systems and protection schemes are designed, operated, and maintained in compliance with industry standards, including NERC, FERC, IEEE, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
- Conduct regular audits and assessments to verify compliance, documenting results and implementing corrective actions as needed.
- Collaborate with regulatory bodies to stay updated on new regulations and implement necessary adjustments to maintain compliance.
- Protective Relays and Control Systems
- Design, configure, and maintain protective relay systems, including testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
- Analyze system disturbances and relay operations to identify root causes, recommending and implementing necessary improvements.
- Develop relay settings, schemes, and coordination studies to optimize protection for transmission, distribution, and generation assets.
- Perform reliability assessments and enhance the relay schemes to minimize system outages and improve response time.
- Documentation and Reporting
- Prepare technical documentation, including relay settings, one-line diagrams, and compliance reports.
- Develop and maintain records of relay testing, calibration, and validation to support compliance and operational requirements.
- Contribute to the development of policies and procedures to support the ongoing reliability and security of the power system.
- Collaboration and Training
- Work closely with operations, planning, and maintenance teams to ensure coordinated efforts in system protection and compliance.
- Provide training and guidance on compliance and relay systems to engineers and technical staff.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for protection systems, sharing insights and leading efforts to improve overall system reliability.
To succeed as an Electrical Engineer (Power Systems) at Apex Clean Energy, you’ll need to excel within the following criteria:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in power systems engineering with a focus on protective relays and compliance.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, PSS/E) and relay configuration tools.
- Strong knowledge of NERC CIP and PRC standards, IEEE standards, and relay protection schemes.
- Familiarity with SCADA, RTUs, and communication protocols commonly used in protection systems.
- Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, NERC certification a plus.
- Soft Skills: Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
Additional Information
Work Environment:
Works primarily traditional office hours in an indoor office environment. Flexible work hours allowed when work duties and business operations permit.
How You’ll Grow
At Apex Clean Energy, our professional development plans focus on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the dynamic, fast-paced renewable energy industry. From on-the-job learning experiences to a robust multi-week onboarding experience to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.
What Apex Can Offer You
At Apex Clean Energy, we know that great people make a great company. We value our people and offer employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits.
- A mission-driven, energetic environment that supports and encourages our people to do their best work every day.
- A respect for and celebration of individuality, differences, and uniqueness
- Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
- Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
- Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
- Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
- Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities
- Exceptional benefits such as medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match
- Base and bonus commensurate with experience
- Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays
- Benefits Offered: comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts
Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
