Principal Specialist, Telecom

About us

National Grid is hiring a Principal Specialist, Telecom for our Electrical Planning and Design department in Syracuse, NY.   

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. 

The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

The Telecommunication Principal Specialist is a full-time position responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive telecom asset strategy for both the electric transmission and distribution business. This role is pivotal in ensuring that National Grid's telecommunications infrastructure is robust, efficient, and prepared for future demands, particularly in light of the anticipated increase in substation, telecom, and Grid Modernization (GridMOD) capital projects

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the creation of a detailed telecom asset strategy that encompasses strategic priorities, budgeting, execution plans, roles & responsibilities, asset class strategies, and a comprehensive roadmap for the next 5, 10, and 15 years.
• Design and implement an operating model and workflow processes essential for the replacement, upgrade, rebuild, and new build projects and programs.
• Develop and implement asset class strategies for various telecom systems, including private radio networks, fiber optic networks, microwave systems, satellite communications, smart grid communications, and leased wired and wireless telecom services.
• Ensure the engineering and integration of these telecom systems to maintain the efficiency, security, and reliability of National Grid’s infrastructure.
• Proactively address risks associated with the retirement of copper communication circuits by telecommunication companies, such as Verizon.
• Collaborate directly with telecommunication companies to facilitate a smooth transition from copper to fiber, ensuring National Grid remains ahead of industry changes.
• Anticipate and plan for the doubling of substations and line assets due to the proliferation of technologies such as Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration (FLISR), Electric Vehicles (EV), Large Scale Renewables (LSR), and Battery Energy Storage deployments.

Supervisory/Interpersonal- Experience Required

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10+ years of end-to-end telecommunications process experience, including project and program management.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• In-depth knowledge of telecommunication equipment used in transmission & distribution networks.
• Must obtain Institute of Asset Management Certificate when time and classes become available. 
• Ability to obtain NERC CIP security clearance with the associated background search (social security verification and seven-year criminal history check).
• Be proficient with the applications within Microsoft Office 365. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead teams and collaborate effectively across various departments and business lines (IT / IS / Gas, etc).
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to apply technical knowledge in practical settings.
• Demonstrated ability to apply technical knowledge in a working environment. 
• Proven ability to prioritize work and be a team leader on multiple projects at one time.

More Information

Salary: $138,000 - $162,000

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Internal candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience. 

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise.  We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve.  National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.