NERC Compliance Specialist, AWS Energy Portfolio Operations

Description

The Amazon Energy Portfolio Operations (EPO) Risk & Compliance team is looking for a NERC Compliance Specialist to join us. EPO manages renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) and data center energy supply agreements (ESAs) post-execution, provides controllership for financial and operational performance, and ensures our supply portfolio is compliant with external regulations, contract obligations, and internal policies.

As a NERC Compliance Specialist, you will be a critical member of the team building and operationalizing AWS's NERC compliance programs. You will build the day-to-day management of NERC compliance obligations across AWS's data center portfolio, working closely with engineering, facility operations, power generation solutions (PGS), legal, and external stakeholders to establish and ensure readiness, on-going compliance, and audit preparedness.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a first-of-its-kind compliance program at the intersection of cloud infrastructure and grid reliability regulation. The right candidate brings NERC domain expertise, a track record of establishing and overseeing compliance programs, and the ability to operate across multiple stakeholders and jurisdictions with limited guidance

Key job responsibilities
- Compliance Program Execution: Support the design, build, and operationalization of the AWS NERC Compliance Program, including emerging requirements for large load.
- Registration & Filings: Manage NERC registration filings, annual self-certifications, and compliance evidence across registered sites. Track registration boundary determinations (cluster vs. individual site) and coordinate with Regional Entities. Support the mapping and ongoing management of NERC obligations across applicable functional registrations.
- Compliance Assessment & Remediation: Serve as SME for assessment, design and drive remediation plans to closure. Track progress against Reliability Standards and Essential Actions.
- Audit Readiness: Develop and maintain Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), compliance evidence repositories, and documentation in support of a scalable compliance program. Prepare for and support NERC audits, spot checks, and mock audits.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Serve as the NERC compliance subject matter expert to internal teams across AWS, including Engineering (protection coordination, disturbance monitoring), Operations (operating instructions, communications protocols), Operations (load modeling, telemetry), and Legal (registration, interconnection agreements).
- ISO/RTO Requirements: Map and track ISO/RTO-specific compliance requirements that layer on top of NERC baseline standards across applicable regions. Identify where regional obligations diverge and ensure site-level compliance.
- Energy Deal Registration Analysis: Assess NERC registration triggers for energy contracts and supply strategies . Evaluate whether deal structures trigger GO/GOP, DP, or other NERC functional registrations and advise on compliance implications. Support FAC-001/FAC-002 interconnection and facility connection requirements as applicable.
- Regulatory Monitoring: Track NERC standards development activities (including Phase 2 items: VRT/FRT, CIP applicability, performance standards), FERC orders, and state/regional regulatory changes that may impact the compliance program.
- Reporting & Communication: Provide regular compliance status reporting to stakeholders and senior leadership. Write clear documentation including compliance narratives, risk assessments, and corrective action plans.
- Process Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to scale compliance operations across a growing portfolio of registered sites. Develop procedures, templates, and mechanisms for repeatable compliance evidence collection.

About the team
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship & Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Basic Qualifications

- 5+ years of compliance, audit or risk management experience
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, management, or technology
- Experience managing cross-functional compliance programs across multiple jurisdictions or registered entities
- Experience with regulatory audit preparation, self-certification filings, or compliance evidence management
- Knowledge of Bulk Electric System (BES) / Bulk Power System (BPS) operations, including familiarity with NERC registration categories, reliability functions, and general FERC governance (e.g. FERC-NERC regulatory framework)

Preferred Qualifications

- 5+ years of experience in NERC Reliability Standards compliance, energy regulatory compliance, or electric utility operations, including familiarity with NERC functional registration categories (e.g., DP, GO, GOP, CLO/CLOP)
- NERC Reliability Certification (e.g., System Operator, Reliability Operator) or equivalent industry credential
- Knowledge of NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) standards and cybersecurity compliance for BES assets
- Direct experience with Regional Entity compliance programs (e.g., SERC, NPCC, ReliabilityFirst, WECC, TRE)
- Working knowledge of ISO/RTO tariff requirements and operational frameworks (e.g., PJM, MISO, ERCOT, CAISO, BPA/WECC)
- Experience with NERC FAC standards (FAC-001, FAC-002) related to interconnection requirements, facility ratings, and facility connection agreements
- Familiarity with FERC regulatory proceedings, rulemaking processes, and compliance enforcement (e.g., FERC notices of proposed rulemaking, orders directing NERC standards development, penalty guidelines)
- Experience developing compliance programs, Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), or mitigation plans
- Master's degree in energy systems, electrical engineering, Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, regulatory policy, or related field
- Experience with protection coordination, disturbance monitoring (SER/FR/DDR), or load modeling in utility or large-load environments

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

USA, TX, Houston - 139,500.00 - 188,700.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 139,500.00 - 188,700.00 USD annually