Engineer (Mid - Staff) Distribution Network Planning

Dominion Energy•Richmond, VA

10d•$81,900 - $132,800•Hybrid

About The Position

Dominion Energy is seeking a Distribution Network Planning Engineer to join its Electric Distribution Grid Planning organization. The role identifies, evaluates, and develops solutions for distribution-system reliability, capacity, resilience, and operational challenges. The engineer performs technical studies, recommends system improvements, supports long-range planning, advances Distribution Network modeling, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service. The work may influence strategic infrastructure investments, grid modernization, distributed energy resources, and responses to emerging customer load demands. Placement may be at the Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Staff Engineer level based on qualifications and experience. The position manages and maintains downtown underground distribution infrastructure and provides technical guidance to Network Operations, Design, Engineering, and other support groups. It includes planning studies, project scopes and engineering recommendations, contingency planning, regulatory and compliance support, standards development, storm restoration support, engineering analysis, and cost analysis. Under a supervisor’s or work leader’s direction, the engineer applies standard or well-defined engineering methods with independence, exercises judgment in prioritizing and adapting work, and completes assignments involving analysis and investigation when information is limited. The position follows a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days teleworking. Working conditions include office work most of the time, with exposure up to 25% to cold, confined spaces, dust/grease/oil, energized wires, fumes, heat, loud noise, outdoor conditions, pressurized lines and valves, and travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; equivalency is not accepted in lieu of the required degree. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
Meet the stated engineering degree criteria for placement in the Engineer job series: an eligible ABET-accredited U.S. engineering degree, a qualifying Washington Accord degree, an eligible combination of a non-ABET engineering or related science degree and postgraduate engineering degree, or current/prior possession of a valid U.S. PE license.
Experience with distribution planning, transmission planning, power system studies, or grid modernization initiatives.
Experience with utility planning software such as Synergi, CYME, ETAP, or similar tools.
Familiarity with load forecasting, reliability analysis, hosting capacity, DER integration, and resilience planning.
Knowledge of electric utility distribution systems.
Ability to analyze engineering problems and develop practical solutions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience using engineering software and Microsoft Office applications.
Engineer level: 2+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 1+ years with a master’s degree; an advanced degree can count as one year of experience. A partial year of related experience of six months or more counts as one year toward qualifications.
Senior Engineer level: 5+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 4+ years with a master’s degree; demonstrated competencies in the applicable discipline are required.
Staff Engineer level: 8+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 7+ years with a master’s degree; demonstrated competencies in the applicable discipline are required.
For nuclear employees, the stated ANSI/ANS-3.1-2014 criteria include related experience of at least two years and at least one year of nuclear power plant experience.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
Experience presenting technical information to leadership, customers, and industry stakeholders.
Senior Engineer: advanced knowledge of electric distribution planning, engineering analysis, and utility operations; ability to independently manage complex studies and projects; ability to analyze complex technical issues and provide recommendations; experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and engineering disciplines; experience supporting strategic initiatives, regulatory matters, and cross-functional planning.
Staff Engineer: recognized technical expertise in planning, power systems, or a related specialty; ability to lead complex studies, mentor engineers, and influence engineering strategy; ability to develop innovative solutions to emerging planning challenges; experience supporting and leading major strategic initiatives, regulatory matters, and cross-functional planning.

Responsibilities

Manage, develop, and maintain downtown-area underground distribution infrastructure.
Provide guidance and technical expertise to Network Operations, Design, Engineering groups, and other company support staff.
Perform distribution system planning studies to identify current and future capacity, voltage, thermal loading, reliability, and resiliency needs, while supporting system integration priorities and aligning with corporate capital and operational spending goals.
Identify and resolve potential operational issues affecting customers.
Develop project scopes and engineering recommendations for substation expansions, feeder improvements, reconductoring, automation projects, and other capital investments; assess the effects of load growth on the distribution system.
Support contingency planning.
Assist with regulatory, compliance, and planning-related filings as needed.
Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, planning practices, and emerging technologies affecting the low-voltage distribution network.
Contribute to the development of planning standards and engineering procedures.
Support storm restoration efforts.
Perform and/or review engineering calculations, analysis, research, and design.
Perform cost analysis as needed and develop recommendations for management review based on calculations, such as equipment-upgrade costs.
Evaluate, select, and apply standard or well-defined engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria under the direction of a supervisor or work leader.
Prioritize work and make moderately complex adaptations and modifications using independent judgment.
Complete assignments through analysis and investigation when information and data are limited.