The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located in beautiful Golden, Colorado, is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an energy future for the nation that is environmentally and economically sustainable. 

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Modeling and Data Scientist II

Job Req R3814

Job Summary

Working within the Transportation and Hydrogen Systems Center as part of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Grid Integration Team, this position will help analyze, integrate and optimize the operation of electric vehicle infrastructure. The successful candidate will join our Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection tool (EVI-Pro) modeling effort as we strive to model regional EV charging integration with distribution grid operations through collaboration with other government research, academic and industry partners creating value and opportunity for the utility and transportation industry.

The EVGI team is looking for a researcher with a passion for big data, economics, consumer behavior, EVs, and rate design to join their growing team. Because this is an emerging research area, we are interested in applicants from a broad background.  Experience in computational science, distribution system planning, power electronics, econometrics, public policy, and geographical information systems are a major plus.  This position will require the successful candidate to participate in the development and execution of models, analysis of results, and publication of results in written reports and spoken presentations. Previous experience with technologies such as demand response, wind energy, solar energy, concentrating solar energy, distributed generation, and energy storage, as well as systems integration issues is a major plus.

Successful candidates will have a background and expertise in one or more of the following topics:

• Demonstrated experience in solving numerical scientific or engineering problems that require very large datasets using programming languages such as Python, Matlab, Java, R, and/or C++
• Exposure to concepts and methods in electricity markets, power systems modeling, electric vehicle powertrain modelling, other relevant engineering systems modeling.
• Exceptional written and spoken communication skills.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

Relevant Master's Degree. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience. General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or in relevant discipline. Or, Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or in relevant discipline, and 2 or more years of experience. General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred candidates will knowledge of and experience with hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, such as high voltage batteries, inverters, and chargers; as well as knowledge of grid and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and back-office networks necessary for integrated EV-Grid operation. Further, preferred candidates will have qualifications in any of the following categories:

• Demonstrated interaction with cross-disciplinary research team and external stakeholders.
• Prior work or academic experience on topics relating to customer adoption or customer operation of distributed energy resources
• Experience developing statistical, machine-learning based, and/or agent-based models
• Knowledge or experience with power systems modeling tools such as GridLAB-D or OpenDSS
• Prior work or academic experience on topics relating to behavioral, economic, and regulatory aspects of distributed energy resources
• Understanding of electric vehicle-related interface and communications standards CAN, SAE J1772, J2836, J2847, J3068, J3072, IEC 61851, CHAdeMO, and/or Open Charge Point Protocol.

Electric Vehicle Grid Integration Researcher III

Job Req R3940

Job Summary

NREL’s Transportation and Hydrogen Systems Center is looking for an Engineer/Researcher to be part of the Electrical Vehicles (EV) Grid Integration Team, this position will help analyze, integrate and optimize the operation of electric vehicles in coordination with local building, micro grid, and grid operations through collaboration with other government research, academic and industry partners creating value and opportunity for the utility and transportation industry.

The successful candidate will develop vehicle-grid integration projects with guidance from the program manager and develop necessary data and knowledge of challenges facing electric vehicle grid integration applications. Working with a cross-disciplinary team of engineers, research experiments will be conducted in the Vehicle Testing and Integration Facility and the Energy Systems Integration Facility at NREL. The objective is to sufficiently develop the vehicle-related systems to interface with local grid systems to enhance the value of plug-in electric vehicles.  This research will investigate electric vehicle AC smart charging strategies, ultra-high power (>350kW) DC charging systems, operation of DC microgrids, integration of distributed energy resources, and grid-tied energy management and energy aggregation systems.

The incumbent will lead projects intended to develop vehicle-relevant aspects of the future smart grid system. The researcher will manage small teams and coordinate research planning efforts. The research includes systems integration planning, strategic model development, laboratory research plan execution, and presentation of complex system conclusions. Dissemination of the research results will be shared with industry, technical, and Department of Energy audiences.

Required Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have a background and expertise in one or more of the following topics:

• Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of principles, theories, and concepts in operations, controls, and optimization of power systems areas.
• Development and evaluation of centralized control algorithms with applications to Advanced Distribution Management Systems and Microgrid Management Systems
• Comprehensive knowledge of the electric utility industry; regulated and unregulated markets, as well as cutting edge smart grid concepts and developments.
• Experience in developing control algorithms for buildings and electric power distribution systems.
• Proficiency in electrical system simulation programs (e.g. OpenDSS, GridLAB-D, Matlab/Simulink)
• Proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Java, C, C++, C#
• Research laboratory working knowledge and experience with vehicle testing. Experience with hardware testing and/or prototype system development.
• Laboratory testing knowledge using digital oscilloscope, multi-meter, and programmable loads.
• Understanding of electric vehicle-related interface and communications standards CAN, SAE J1772, J2836, J2847, J3068, J3072, IEC 61851, CHAdeMO.
• Experience on projects using smart grid controls interface systems including, SEP2.0, ModBus, Open Charge Point Protocol, OpenADR, SOAP web, RESTful, and Cloud services.
• Knowledge of utility related standards including UL 1741, IEEE 1547 and IEEE2030, and IEC 61850.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

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. Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

EEO Policy / E-Verify                          

NREL's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

NREL validates right to work using E-Verify. NREL will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please click here https://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html.

Pre-employment drug testing required.

Submit Your Resume

Please apply online at: www.nrel.gov/careers and search for Req # listed on desired position.

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.