About ENTSO-E

ENTSO-E is the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. ENTSO-E coordinates the cross-border system operations, system development and electricity market activities of the 43 electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) which cover 36 countries. ENTSO-E is assigned important tasks in EU legislation, including the development of Europe-wide electricity network development plans, and of more than 10 network codes which themselves become binding European laws.

The ENTSO-E Secretariat in Brussels is the focal point for technical, market and policy questions for all European TSOs in their cooperation with each other, in their joint fulfillment of their legal mandates, and in the intensive interactions with European Commission, regulatory agencies, associations representing network users and other stakeholders. The role of the TSOs and their cooperation in ENTSO-E is crucial to ensuring security of supply; completing the largest and most competitive electricity market in the world; and successfully integrating large volumes of renewable energy into the system.

ENTSO-E applies a project-aligned method of working. This covers the business case, well-defined scope and deliverables, clear roles for decision making and controlling responsibilities and plans for resources, quality and risk management.

The scope and diversity of ENTSO-E’s work has grown rapidly and is expected to grow further with implementation of network codes and the current challenging energy policy discussions.

General position description

The Common Grid Model Program of ENTSO-E

CGM Program summary

Grid operators use mathematical simulation models of their network to simulate the grid behavior under various, including extreme, circumstances. Results of these simulations are notably used to decide on the list of actions transmission system operators (TSOs) need to take to maintain the reliability of the grid at the least cost and impact possible for customers and stakeholders (distribution grids, generators, traders, etc.).

Up to now, each TSO has been using its own grid model. As electrical networks become more interconnected and as European electricity markets are getting more and more integrated, there is a need to develop a common grid model of pan-European dimension. It will ease the cooperation between TSOs and will result in an even more secure and cost-efficient pan- European grid. The EU has recognized the benefits that this common grid model will bring and has thus made it a legal requirement in various network codes (CACM, FCA and SO GL) that methodologies for the common grid model and generation and data provision are developed by all TSOs and submitted for approval to all regulatory authorities.

The common Grid Model Business process requires a significant data exchange amongst all ENTSO-E members. The IT data exchange system which is under construction is called the Operational Planning Data Exchange Platform [OPDE] and is fully in scope of the common grid model program.

The Operational Planning Data environment is built up out of 3 interacting IT layers:

  1. ATOM: the underlying IT communication network. ATOM will be a Pan-European service provider level network based on MPLS technology supporting data exchanges between TSOs.

  2. Connectivity Platform: a distributed software platform that allows secure and traceable data-exchange

  3. Multiple central IT business applications: these apps are plugged into the Connectivity platform and process the data according to the agreed common grid model processes

The successful candidate will work on the ATOM project which will be the IT communication network responsible to provide the physical communication infrastructure for the higher layers.

This position is based in our premises at ENTSO-E Secretariat in Brussels.

Specific responsibilities and tasks

  • Reports to the ATOM Project Manager and participates in status meetings.

  • Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and escalation point regarding complex and technically challenging issues and resolve them as they arise

  • Provide guidance, direction and technical leadership for all IT communication network related topics.

  • Makes sure that network design adheres to project’s key documents like contract and Security Plan by engaging Network Security Center and IT security experts to asses any changes on the approved design.

  • Research, evaluate and recommend network and/or infrastructure solutions and enhancements. Perform proof of concepts where required and create and present proposals to the senior and program management.

  • Produce design and as built documentation to effectively handover network to Network Operating Center and Network Security Center for the operational phase.

  • Collaborate with applications’ development, business and IT communication network experts teams within ENTSO-E or TSOs to discuss, understand and clarify project’s requirements and propose for approval IT communication network architecture decisions.

  • Work closely with program and project manager to agree and stay aligned on the technical solution design and the implementation status.

  • Participate in project meetings related to planning activities and provide feedback to identify and size all activities and tasks required to implement the full-scale network as per the approved design.

  • Produce technical and non-technical documentation related to network operation and relevant processes

  • Support the process to define and evolve governance related to network.

  • Work closely with program and project manager to progress procurement of equipment and services by producing the technical justification and specification documents.

  • Coordinate internal and external network engineers to ensure that delivered solution meets requirements, specifications and business expectations.

  • Participate in project meetings related to planning activities and provide feedback to identify and size all activities and tasks required to implement the full-scale network as per the approved design.

Profile

This role is for an IT network specialist (SME) with strong hands-on and network operations experience in MPLS multiservice networks preferably in a Service Provider or Enterprise environment.

  • University degree in information technology is mandatory

  • Energy sector knowledge will be a plus

  • Full English proficiency (oral, written)

  • 10+ years’ experience (5+ years in an engineering role capacity) in the design, implementation and operation of large network systems, including Cisco routers (ISR, ASR), switches (L2/L3, Catalyst, Nexus) and firewalls (ASA) – experience with other vendors will be a plus.

  • Experience on working closely with Telecom Service Providers and troubleshoot issues on international links provided by multiple service providers

  • Cisco CCNP required; CCIE is a plus.

  • Extensive experience in designing and implementing high-available MPLS service provider level networks using all the below technologies, protocols and tools:

    • QOS policies, traffic engineering and prioritizing techniques

    • WAN and LAN routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, Redistribution and Route Selection).

    • WAN layer 2 Ethernet links over different underlying technologies (SDH, MPLS, DWDM etc.)

    • Network management and monitoring protocols and tools (SNMP, Prime, NetFlow, etc.)

    • Network authentication protocols and tools (TACACS, RADIUS, ACS, ISE, etc.)

    • Supporting services (DNS, DHCP, NTP, etc.)

    • Ethernet switching technologies (Switching – VLANs, Spanning Tree, Port Channels, VPC)

    • WLAN

  • Experience on using different types of hardware appliances like traffic generators, wan simulators etc.

  • Strong experience on working with sniffers and analyzing TCP/IP traffic to troubleshoot network or application issues

  • Deep understanding of Load Balancing concepts and ability to assess, identify design weaknesses and troubleshoot issues.

  • IT communication network capacity planning and management.

  • Strong experience on working with local and remote teams.

  • Good Communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to deal with different vendors, providers and/or contributors located in various countries.

  • Ability to work in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment.

  • Committed, able to work against tight deadlines.

  • International travel within Europe will be required.