Program Manager – Cyber Security for Transmission, Distribution & Grid Edge Systems at EPRI – Knoxville, Tennessee

Position Title: Program Manager – Cyber Security for Transmission, Distribution & Grid Edge Systems

Requisition ID: REQ-3916

Position Type: Full time

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Job Title:Program Manager – Cyber Security for Transmission, Distribution & Grid Edge SystemsLocation:Charlotte, NC, Knoxville, TN, Remote/Home BasedJob Summary and Description:

The Program Manager for EPRI’s Cyber Security for Energy Delivery & Customer Solutions research program (P183) is a senior technical and business leadership role responsible for the strategy, execution, and growth of EPRI’s end-to-end cyber security R&D for power delivery systems.

The Program Manager leads a multi-disciplinary team and portfolio spanning cyber security research, applied demonstrations, and technology transfer working closely with internal EPRI sector peers and external stakeholders to deliver measurable value for EPRI members. The cyber security area is structured as a comprehensive program with project sets spanning strategic intelligence & emerging issues, incident & threat management, transmission & distribution systems, DER & grid-edge systems, and cyber security data & analytics.

Due to U.S. Government export regulations under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), this position requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. citizen.

Core Responsibilities:

Program Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Own the Cyber Security program strategy and roadmap and alignment to member needs and utility advisory input.

• Translate industry challenges into crisp research value propositions and execution plans that fit EPRI’s collaborative research model.

• Ensure portfolio cohesion across incident/threat management, T&D security, substation security, DER/grid-edge security, and data/analytics.

• Strong collaboration across EPRI (including cyber security efforts in other sectors) and with external partners (utilities, labs, government, vendors, academia).

Technical Leadership & R&D Execution

• Lead research efforts to develop and apply cyber security technologies and practices for power delivery systems, including protective measures, incident management, and operational guidance.

• Support and integrate work that touches NERC CIP compliance objectives and implementation realities across utility OT environments.

• Provide direction and oversight to lab-enabled research and applied demonstrations, including integration tasks that may involve substation/device remote access, network management systems, and IDS/SIEM environments.

Member Engagement, Advisory Leadership, and Technology Transfer

• Serve as a primary face of the program with utility members: engage executives and practitioners, run advisory structures, and ensure strong bidirectional communication.

• Communicate research strategies and results through presentations, guidelines, reports, webcasts, workshops, and conferences.

• Partner with Member Services/EPRI International to support retention, growth, and strategic account engagement.

Industry & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain an active presence in relevant industry forums and working groups (e.g., IEC TC57 WGs, IEEE, CIGRE, DNP User Group, and similar).

• Proactively engage with external stakeholders such as national laboratories and relevant U.S. agencies (e.g., DOE, NERC, CISA) where appropriate to advance mission-aligned collaboration and visibility.

Operational & Financial Management

• Accountable for technical and financial results produced by the program, including funding plans, spending oversight, and workforce planning.

• Develop project plans and manage technical/logistical execution; ensure completion on schedule and within budget.

• Identify and lead internal staff and external/contract resources as needed; select contractors, frame statements of work, and manage milestones.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop program staff; support hiring, performance management, and development planning.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture aligned to EPRI’s cross-sector, member-driven model.

Required Expertise / Focus Areas:

The successful candidate will have deep experience in utility OT security and applied cyber security practice across areas such as:

• Incident management and response operations

• Threat management and threat intelligence

• Applying Artificial Intelligence to cyber security practices

• Cyber security forensics / investigations

• Transmission and distribution control center security

• T&D substation security and field environment realities

• DER security and grid-edge technologies

• Cyber security metrics, data, and analytics

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).

• 10–15+ years of relevant experience in cyber security, OT/ICS security, and/or electric sector operations with progressively increasing leadership responsibility.

• Demonstrated leadership of complex R&D programs or portfolios, including planning, budgeting, and delivery accountability.

• Strong utility-facing communication skills: executive presence, clear writing, and strong presentation delivery.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience at an electric utility (transmission, distribution, operations, or OT security) or as a trusted utility contractor/consultant with extensive utility engagement.

• Recognized presence in the electric-sector cyber security community (industry credibility, working group participation, speaking/publishing).

• Familiarity with utility protocols and substation/field environments (e.g., DNP, Modbus, IEC 61850, C37.118, C12.22) and enterprise security technologies.

• Experience partnering with vendors/manufacturers and understanding product/field constraints.

• Demonstrated success in business development: growing membership-funded work, supplemental projects, and/or international engagement.

Work Arrangement / Travel:

• Knoxville or Charlotte preferred; remote considered for an exceptional candidate.

• Travel is expected for member engagement, advisory meetings, conferences, and internal coordination.

The salary range for this position is $185,000 USD to $200,000 USD annually.This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/DisabledTogether . . . Shaping the Future of Energy.www.epri.com