Job Description

Performs systems maintenance and improvement activities to support the effectiveness of the Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) suite of systems and applications. The suite includes ICCP/SCADA, Energy Management System (EMS), Voltage and Transient Stability (VSAT/TSAT) systems, PMU System, Itron Load Forecasting System, Operator Training Simulator (OTS), Data Historian (PI), Network Model Management System (NMMS), Market Management System (MMS), Outage Scheduler (OS), Congestion Revenue Rights (CRR) System, Grid Planning systems, Resource Integration system and Control Room Situational Awareness tools. This role plans and executes system software upgrades, configurations, application software release installations, and performs non-functional testing of GMS systems and applications. This position maximizes system uptime and mitigates GMS system failures. This role will analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve systems. Reviews computer system capabilities, workflows, and scheduling limitations. Design systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. Provides 24x7 technical support for GMS systems on a rotational basis. Responsible for the integration of GMS systems and applications, monitoring, and regular maintenance of the GMS systems’ environments and derived systems. Responsible for planning, deploying, and managing containerized GMS applications utilizing CI/CD integration tools.

JOB DUTIES

• Understands and apply principles, theories and concepts related to the profession and ERCOT's culture.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Impact is generally limited to specific assignments or projects.
• May respond to inquiries and/or provide assistance and/or guidance to lower-level workers.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

• Routinely monitors GMS systems and applications, as well as regular maintenance activities
• Coordinates and performs database updates and upgrades in the GMS environments
• Assists Operations Engineering, Market Operations, and other business units during acceptance testing of new and/or enhanced applications
• Supports effective use and administration of GMS systems and applications by preparing and reviewing technical documentation
• Performs patch implementations and migrations in the GMS systems
• Performs system setup and testing with Market Participants as appropriate
• Responds to system failures and operator questions on a 24/7 on-call rotation
• Works with market participants to resolve problems and implement changes
• Performs emergency recovery and troubleshooting of GMS systems and applications

• Develops and maintains strong computer skills including in common business applications such as Excel, Word, and Access
• Works on all aspects of GMS applications, including implementing new technologies and participating in the development of standards and processes to ensure effective administration and maintenance
• Maintains real-time data collection to support GMS systems and applications
• Maintains, troubleshooting, and repairs the GMS systems, applications, and interfaces
• Troubleshoots GMS system issue utilizing system data metrics such as CPU, memory, and NFS storage consumption
• Proactively identifies design problems and drives resolution
• Participates in GMS Disaster Recovery Drills
• Tests, certifies, and implements changes to the Production and Test environments

Level 3 – Above +

• Interfaces with ERCOT QSEs on a regular basis to perform communication tests and support
• Analyzes system performance and recommends business enhancements
• Represents GMS Production Department at interdepartmental meetings
• Works with vendors to clarify GMS systems capabilities and requirements; understands the vendor's needs, and resolves issues that may arise as the vendors work to make changes and improvements

Senior – Above +

• Performs systems maintenance and improvement activities to support the effectiveness of the GMS
• Participates in planning and evaluating the impact of system modifications and maintenance activities
• Plans, deploys, and supports containerized GMS applications utilizing CI/CD integration tools (Ansible, Jenkins, Jfrog and Github etc.).
• Enhance GMS systems and application monitoring utilizing various monitoring tools to improve GMS systems’ reliability
• Trains and supports users on all aspects of the GMS and related applications
• Participate in industry meetings and discussions related to GMS technologies to maintain and expand knowledge that is applied on the job
• May provide training or oversee the work of less experienced systems analyst
• May act as mentor and advisor to less experienced engineers/analysts
• Works independently on assignments and projects
• Participate in multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments, and perform studies
• Assists in developing tools, processes, and procedures that enhance system reliability and departmental/organizational efficiencies
• Participates with other ERCOT departments to select and implement system changes as needed

All Levels - Preferred Work Experience

• Experience with one of the vendors (GE, Siemens, Hitachi Energy/ABB, Resource Innovations, OSI Inc) Energy Management System (EMS) or Market Management System (MMS) or Outage Management Systems and applications preferred
• AVEVA Pi Historian Applications and Web Tools
• Power industry experience in grid and market arena preferably with software vendors or ISO/utilities
• Experience with XML, Java, CSS/HTML, JSON and Web Technologies
• Experience with Oracle PL/SQL
• Experience with Azure/AWS cloud technologies
• Experience with developing integration layers using Messaging Services: Tibco JMS, AMQ
• Experience with programming languages such as FORTRAN, C, C++, Java, Perl, and Python

All Levels - Preferred Skills Requirement

• Programming Languages/Packages/Scripting: C, C++, Java, Perl, Python, PL/SQL, Shell Scripting
• Operating System: Windows, Linux
• Database: Oracle, SQL Server
• Source Code Control Tools: Git, GitHub
• CI/CD Tools (Github, Jenkins, Ansible, Jfrog etc.)
• Change Management and Defect Tracking Tools – Jira, qTest etc.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Level 2 Analyst: Requires minimum 1 year job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements. Requires minimum 1 year related work experience in one of the following areas: Energy Management System (EMS)/ICCP/SCADA, Market Management System (MMS), Outage Management Systems, Linux OpenShift, Docker, Kubernetes, OSI soft PI, or creating dashboards on Linux/Windows Platforms
• Level 3 Analyst: Requires minimum 3 years’ job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements. Requires minimum 3 years related work experience in one of the following areas: Energy Management System (EMS)/ICCP/SCADA, Market Management System (MMS), Outage Management Systems, Linux OpenShift, Docker, Kubernetes, OSI soft PI, or creating dashboards on Linux/Windows Platforms
• Senior Level Analyst: Requires a minimum of 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements. Requires minimum 5 years related work experience in one of the following areas: Energy Management System (EMS)/ICCP/SCADA, Market Management System (MMS), Outage Management Systems, Linux OpenShift, Docker, Kubernetes, OSI soft PI, or creating dashboards on Linux/Windows Platforms

Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field (Required)
• Master's Degree: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field (Preferred)
• or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required

WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX:

• Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at a minimum of 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management
• Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence.
• Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-Hybrid, #LI-MH1

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range:

$109,000 - $150,000