NERC Engineer

ERSG is currently looking for a NERC Compliance Engineer for a large offshore wind developer in Boston, MA.

Position Overview

• Employment Type: Contract (at least 2 years with the opportunity of contract extensions or to become a direct employee).
• Benefits: We offer health, dental, vision insurance and help contribute to 75% of that monthly cost and offer 401K with a 4% match after 12 months of employment.
• Geographic Location Boston, Massachusetts, USA (unfortunately no relocation package is available).
• Title of Line Manager: Systems Integration Package Manager
• Number of Direct Reports: 0
• Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Company Background

Our client is a leading developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy facilities in the United States with an eight-gigawatt portfolio of onshore wind and solar projects across 22 states. This company’s offshore wind business is pioneering this new industry with a development pipeline of five gigawatts off the East Coast. Their offshore portfolio consists of multiple projects confirmed off the east coast. We aspire to be the employer of choice by providing purposeful and challenging work revolutionizing the renewable energy industry in the United States. This role will be part of a team developing, designing, constructing, and operating large scale offshore wind projects which will provide affordable, clean energy and will have a transformational impact on local communities.

Our client is part of a global energy pioneer with the largest renewable asset base of any company in the world. Our client employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital for four consecutive years as one of America’s best corporate citizens and second in utilities for their commitment to the environment and the communities we serve. This company has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for six consecutive years by the Ethisphere Institute.

Job Summary

The Cyber Security, Infrastructure Protection and NERC Engineer manages all aspects of the company’s Cyber Security Program for the Renewables Operations business group, as well as assigned areas of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards to ensure compliance with applicable standards and requirements.

Belonging to the Systems Integration Package within the Project Execution Area and reporting to the Systems Integration Package Manager locally, the NERC Engineer will be responsible for implementing robust and cost-effective engineering strategies and plans. This includes support to the tendering, negotiating, and managing offshore supply, installation, and maintenance contracts, as well as planning and implementing delivery sites and logistics. The NERC Engineer must comply with company and business engineering standards and technical acceptance criteria, ensuring quality, best practices, and excellent H&SE performance are applied. They will work in coordination with the Systems Integration Package Manager. The main responsibilities across the different phases of the projects are outlined below.

Job Duties

Cyber Security Program Development and Implementation

• Lead the development and implementation of the company’s cyber security program.
• Coordinate cyber security program objectives with the Iberdrola Global Cyber Security team.
• Collaborate with Businesses, IT, and other Corporate Service Areas to define, govern, and support cyber security measures.

Representation and Coordination

• Represent the company’s cyber security initiative to businesses and local cyber security teams in the USA, UK, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil.
• Represent the company in the Cyber Threat and Incident Response Program.

Strategic Decision-Making

• Make strategic decisions to mitigate cyber-related threats and vulnerabilities to the Renewables operation and OT network.
• Ensure governance of Business and IT teams to ensure all actions and work plans related to cyber assets conform to Renewables cyber security requirements.

Compliance and Monitoring

• Assess, track, monitor, and verify the company’s cyber security and NERC compliance against global business policies and standards.
• Support the interface between the company’s NERC compliance program and Cyber Security Program for seamless continuity and comprehensive oversight.
• Direct actions of cyber security SMEs in performing duties impacting NERC compliance processes.
• Promote the reliability of the Bulk Power System through rigorous compliance with applicable NERC standards.

NERC Regulatory Compliance and Audit Preparation

• Ensure effective regulatory compliance with North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) applicable standards, including CIP, MOD, BAL, COM, EOP, FAC, INT, IRO, PER, PRC, TOP, TRL, VAL, etc.
• Provide guidance to support and enhance operational business unit’s risk management, Cyber, Information, Physical, and Personnel Security programs.
• Monitor and enforce activities and functions for internal and external audit preparation.
• Maintain and revise the company’s NERC compliance program, including the administration and maintenance of compliance policies, programs, and procedures related to NERC Standards.
• Prepare for, coordinate, and support compliance audits conducted by internal resources, consultants, or regulatory organizations.

Issue Resolution and Standards Development

• Work with responsible Business Units to coordinate resolving compliance issues and develop improvement recommendations and mitigation plans.
• Keep responsible Business Units informed regarding NERC Standards Development and activities associated with NERC Standards.
• Solicit input from appropriate subject matter experts and effectively communicate the company’s position on proposed regulatory standards to NERC.
• Ensure timely adherence from responsible business units to all new/revised NERC regulatory obligations.

Industry Awareness and Participation

• Maintain awareness of emerging utility industry issues through benchmarking and participation in appropriate utility forums/groups.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master’s Degree applicable national / cyber security related area preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience in the electric utility industry.
• 5+ years’ experience in national / cyber security capacity.
• Offshore (preferred) Wind Projects Experience:

1. Proven track record of delivery in an offshore wind projects environment, including technical due diligence and grid connection concepts.
2. Experience in construction, commissioning, and operations of offshore wind projects.

• Technical Knowledge:

1. Extensive understanding of offshore wind technology, including turbines and electrical infrastructure.
2. Good understanding of operational efficiency.

• Project Commissioning Management:

1. Strong experience in project commissioning management, including planning, budget management, risk and opportunity management, and delivery.

• Interpersonal Skills:

1. Strong networking, communication, relationship building, and influencing skills demonstrated across various teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership.
2. Effective negotiation and contractor management skills.

• Technical Proficiency:

1. IT literate with the ability to operate MS Office systems and other IT-based project management software.

• Adaptability and Resilience:

1. Ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.
2. Adapt quickly to a rapidly changing working environment and demonstrate a positive approach to change.

• High degree of self-motivation with a flexible approach to work.
• Engineering Design Review:

1. Experience in engineering design review and assurance processes.