Lead or Senior Technical Analyst

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Salary Ranges
Lead Technical Analyst: $112,240 – $145,810
Senior Technical Analyst: $97,580 – $126,795

Overview
The Technical Analyst – Balancing Authority provides analytical leadership for SPP’s Balancing Authority functions across real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking horizons. The role is responsible for advanced analysis, studies, and operational data evaluation to support reliability obligations, performance metrics, and accuracy in interchange processes. Analysts evaluate how market outcomes, dispatch decisions, interchange schedules, and system conditions translate into actual system performance, identifying discrepancies and ensuring defensible results. This includes performing operational and market studies, supporting checkout accuracy, and developing analytical methods and tools to enhance visibility into system performance.

The position serves as a subject matter expert for metrics such as CPS1, BAAL, ACE, and interchange validation, while maintaining strong knowledge of applicable SPP Tariff provisions, NAESB standards, and operating practices. The analyst contributes to SPP, NERC, and WECC committees, working groups, and task forces, and partners across Operations, Markets, Compliance, and Reliability functions. Depending on level, the role provides mentorship, technical leadership, and independent decision support in both real-time and after-the-fact analysis.

Core Responsibilities
• Lead or provide analytical support for Balancing Authority operations across real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking horizons
• Monitor, analyze, and support performance related to NERC Balancing Authority metrics including CPS1 and BAAL, identifying performance drivers and recommending corrective actions
• Evaluate how market outcomes, dispatch decisions, and interchange schedules translate into actual system performance
• Perform operational and market studies to assess generation capacity, interchange capability, and system flexibility
• Develop, validate, and analyze operational data including meter data and interchange values
• Request, collect, prepare, and validate operational data and investigate discrepancies between interchange checkout values and meter data
• Recommend actions necessary to maintain resource availability, control ACE, and support compliance with reliability standards
• Develop and enhance analytical tools, models, SQL queries, and internal processes
• Conduct post-event and performance analysis to benchmark results and implement improvements
• Maintain knowledge of the SPP Tariff, market rules, NAESB standards, and operating procedures
• Ensure compliance with SPP policies and procedures and applicable NERC and FERC standards
• Contribute to or lead SPP, NERC, and WECC committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces
• Provide technical expertise, mentorship, and training to operators and analysts depending on level
• Lead or support special projects and cross-functional initiatives

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, economics, engineering, or other related field

Level-Specific Qualifications
Senior Technical Analyst – BA
• 6 years of job-related experience with at least three (3) years of industry experience

Lead Technical Analyst – BA
• 12 years job-related experience

Preferred Qualifications
• Electric utility industry experience
• An emphasis on power system analysis and electric utility operations
• An advanced degree
• NERC Certification (Lead level only)

Other Requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Effective communication with Operators, SPP stakeholders, and senior management
• Strong inter-personal and teamwork skills
• Documented experience in power system engineering, operations engineering, transmission planning, or related disciplines
• Focus on continuous improvement, efficiency, collaboration, and adherence to SPP Core Values
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
• Availability for after-hours callout and on-call

Travel Requirement
Minimal (0–20%)

Southwest Power Pool is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, Southwest Power Pool makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

 At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.

Salary : $97,580 - $145,810