Job Type
Full-time
Description
As a Senior Electrical Power Engineer, you will be a technical authority on electrical system studies supporting Fervo's geothermal power plant development and associated transmission interconnections. You will perform and lead a wide range of power system analyses - from grid interconnection studies through to plant-level studies supporting capital, maintenance, and reliability projects - using industry-standard tools including PSCAD, PSLF, and ETAP. You will mentor junior engineers and contribute beyond core system studies to procedure and standards development, design tasks, and other cross-functional engineering work as Fervo scales its fleet. This role will report to the Power Engineering Manager.
Requirements
Responsibilities Electrical System Studies
- Perform transient overvoltage (TOV) studies using PSCAD to evaluate switching transients, lightning, and equipment overvoltage risks for geothermal generation facilities and interconnection projects.
- Conduct dynamic stability studies in PSLF or PSSE and ETAP, including generator modeling, voltage/frequency response analysis, and compliance with interconnection stability requirements.
- Execute power flow studies in PSLF or PSSE and ETAP to assess steady-state operating conditions, equipment loading, and voltage profiles across Fervo plant and transmission configurations.
- Perform short circuit analysis in ETAP to size equipment, verify protective device ratings, and support NEC/NESC and applicable code compliance.
- Develop protection system studies and relay coordination in ETAP, including time-overcurrent, differential, and distance protection schemes for generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
- Conduct arc flash incident energy analysis in ETAP in accordance with IEEE 1584; prepare arc flash hazard labels and arc flash mitigation recommendations to support site safety programs.
Grid Interconnection
- Lead and support interconnection study processes with regional transmission organizations (RTOs), independent system operators (ISOs), and transmission owners, including scoping meetings, study review, and dispute resolution.
- Prepare and review power flow and stability models for submission to transmission providers; coordinate generator model validation per NERC MOD standards.
- Evaluate interconnection study results and translate technical findings into actionable design and equipment requirements for project teams.
- Track applicable interconnection standards and tariff requirements (FERC, NERC, regional) and ensure study methodologies remain compliant.
Plant-Level Studies
- Perform plant electrical system studies to support capital project development, including new well pads, power delivery infrastructure, and substation upgrades.
- Provide engineering analysis to support maintenance and reliability programs, including equipment ratings validation, protection updates, and operational improvement studies.
- Develop and maintain accurate ETAP and PSLF/PSCAD plant models, ensuring models reflect as-built conditions and are updated as modifications are made.
- Produce clear, well-documented study reports with assumptions, results, and recommendations suitable for internal use and external regulatory submittal.
Team Development and Culture
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers in power system study methodology, software tools, and engineering best practices, fostering technical growth and confidence.
- Instill a culture of extreme ownership - where engineers take accountability for safety, constructability, and cost implications of their analyses, not just technical outputs.
- Provide technical review of team members' study reports and design deliverables, ensuring quality and consistency across projects.
- Collaborate across disciplines - process, mechanical, civil, drilling, and reservoir - and with external consultants and utility partners.
Standards, Design, and Other Duties
- Contribute to development and maintenance of Fervo electrical engineering standards, specifications, and procedures to support repeatable, scalable plant deployment.
- Support design tasks related to electrical equipment selection, one-line diagram development, and protection system design as project needs require.
- Assist with procurement efforts by providing technical evaluation of equipment submittals, vendor proposals, and relay/protection settings.
- Perform other engineering duties as assigned, with willingness to contribute to Fervo's broader mission beyond the core power systems studies scope.
Qualifications Required
- M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in power systems engineering, with demonstrated expertise in electrical system studies for generation, transmission, or large industrial facilities.
- Hands-on proficiency in PSCAD for electromagnetic transient (EMT) and transient overvoltage studies.
- Hands-on proficiency in PSLF and/or ETAP for dynamic stability and power flow analysis.
- Proficiency in ETAP for short circuit analysis, protection coordination, and arc flash incident energy studies in accordance with IEEE 1584.
- Experience with grid interconnection studies and familiarity with FERC, NERC, and regional RTO/ISO interconnection requirements and study processes.
- Ability to produce professional-quality study reports and clearly communicate complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; demonstrated experience mentoring engineers.
Preferred
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or active pursuit thereof.
- Experience with geothermal, renewable, or other utility-scale generation interconnection.
- Familiarity with NERC reliability standards (MOD, PRC, FAC series) and compliance processes.
- Experience developing or reviewing relay protection settings and protection philosophies.
- Background in electrical standards and procedure development for operations or maintenance programs.
- Knowledge of NEC, NESC, and IEEE standards applicable to power generation facilities.
- Proficiency in PSSE for dynamic stability and power flow analysis
