GMS Application Engineer SR - Markets

JOB SUMMARY

Provides support for Market Management Systems (MMS) applications portfolio such as Security Constrained Economic Dispatch (SCED), Day-Ahead Market (DAM), Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC), Congestion Revenue Rights (CRR), QSE Training Simulator etc. Actively involved in the design, development, testing, validation and implementation of modifications and enhancements to MMS applications. This position will report to the Supervisor/Manager of Grid & Market Solutions (GMS) Applications Engineering - Markets.
 

JOB DUTIES

• Understands and applies 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
Level 1

• Works under the direction of a senior developers or supervisor/manager to complete departmental goals and assignments.

• Performs all work according to applicable rules and regulations including regulatory requirements and organization policies and procedures.
• Good Knowledge on core power systems operations and control functions like power flow studies, state estimation, contingency analysis, economic dispatch, Unit Commitment, and electric market operations.
• Works with internal stake holders closely, review and understand market applications functional and non-functional requirements.
• Develops design and performs software development (using Fortran, C/C++, Java, Perl, Python etc. programming languages) and testing for suite of market applications and its interfaces.
• Design, develop and test market applications backend oracle database changes using Oracle PL/SQL programming language.
• Participates in requirements and design review discussions with market system vendors (Hitachi Energy and Resource Innovations) and ensure quality software is delivered by vendors.
• Merge vendor developed market applications software changes with internal developed changes, build, deploy, and test merged software in development environments.
• Develops and manages source code using Atlassian Bitbucket source code control tool.
• Adheres to software development life cycle (SDLC) standards for all the software changes within portfolio.
• Understands and follows market applications software release process to deliver software changes to customers seamlessly. Adheres to change management processes during software release delivery.
• Participates in interdepartmental meetings and present software design and implementation details.

Level 2

• Good Knowledge on Linear and Non-Linear Optimization techniques and understand market applications (MMS & CRR) optimization objective functions formulation.
• Works with Network Modeling team on CIM Model data modeling to meet market applications CIM model related requirements.
• Test and identify issues in MMS & CRR network applications modules (Topology Processing, Power flow, contingency analysis) and Optimization related modules software changes delivered by vendors.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, identify root cause of market applications, database and system issues, and develop solutions.
• Provide timely software solutions to address market applications critical production issues on 24x7 basis as level 2 support team.
• Automates software development processes using Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools such as Bitbucket, Apache Maven/Jenkins etc.
• Designs, develops, and tests web-based user interface (UI) for market applications, its interfacing systems and control room situational awareness tools using latest front-end technologies (Java Script/HTML/CSS/React/Angular etc.).
• Designs and develops enhancements to market systems integration layers using Messaging Queues like Tibco JMS, AMQ.
• Creates and gives presentations for training on GMS market applications enhancements.
• Represents GMS Technology Development department at interdepartmental meetings.

Level 3

• Designs and develops market applications optimization solvers CPLEX/AMPL models to incorporate various constraints.
• Works with vendors on market applications and its interfaces improvements and proposes design changes.
• Performs code reviews and approve code changes developed by other developers.
• Automates market applications and user interfaces unit and regression testing as much as possible by developing scripts and using third party automation tools such as SOAP UI, Selenium.
• Provides advice and guidance to ERCOT Grid and market Operations regarding GMS market applications, processes, and tools.
• Ensures that GMS market and UI products and solutions comply with the organization’s architectural standards. Employs in the full systems development life cycle in projects and work processes. May provide on-the-job training or oversee the work of other developers.
• Works with Market Participants, ERCOT representatives, and vendors to drive and deliver solutions for the ERCOT Electricity Market’s needs.
• Represents ERCOT at market participant meetings.

Level Senior

• Organizes and coordinates the planning, design and architect phases of GMS Market & UI products software development and the integration of applications across the business.
• Develops enterprise level application and custom integration solutions.
• Guides and advocates business and customer requirements for GMS market applications and user interfaces.
• Conducts all phases of product software development lifecycle, including the analysis, design, test, and integration of products.
• Work closely with Project Management team and ensure successful delivery of market enhancements and technology upgrade related projects.
• Creates and gives presentations for product solutions and training on GMS market applications.
• Gives advice and recommendations to management for the overall technical development goals of the GMS Technology Development team.
• Advises and guides several key groups in the company to ensure quality product delivery.
• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert providing guidance to lower-level workers. May schedule work, train, mentor, and/or coach other employees.
• Conveys team goals effectively through strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Works on moderately complex issues where analysis of situations requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Has the ability to resolve issues in creative and effective ways.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Programming Languages/Packages/Scripting: C, C++, VisualC++, FORTRAN, Java, Perl, Python, PL/SQL, Shell Scripting
• Web Application Servers: JBOSS, Tomcat, JWS, Spring Boots,
• Message Queues: Tibco JMS, AMQ
• Web Based Development – J2EE, Servlets, SOAP, Java Script, HTML/CSS, XML
• Database: Oracle, SQLSERVER
• Source Code Control Tools: Git, GitHub
• Optimization Solvers: CPLEX/AMPL, Gurobi
   

EXPERIENCE

• Requires minimum 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements
• All Levels -- Preferred Work Experience
  • Experience with one of the vendors (Hitachi Energy/ABB, GE, Siemens, Resource Innovations/Nexant, OSI Inc) Energy or Market Management Systems and applications preferred.
  • Power industry experience in grid and market arena preferably with software vendors or ISO/utilities.
  • Experience with programming languages such as FORTRAN, C, C++, Java, Perl and Python.
  • Experience with Oracle PL/SQL
  • Experience with Commercial Optimization Solvers: CPLEX/AMPL, Gurobi
  • Experience with CIM/XML model-based tools.
  • Experience with developing integration layers using Messaging Services: Tibco JMS, AMQ
   

EDUCATION

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

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.

The job level and salary will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications and overall experience.

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: