Electrical Design Plant Engineer - Power Generation

Portland General Electric•Portland, OR

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all. Join us in supporting the transformation of renewable energy at scale. As an Electrical Design Plant Engineer on our Power Supply Engineering Services team, you will play a key role in the design and integration of electrical systems across hydro, wind, solar, and energy storage projects that support Oregon’s clean energy transition. In this role, you will contribute to projects that directly impact how we deliver reliable and sustainable energy. You’ll apply your technical expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, support system improvements, and ensure our generation assets operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with industry standards. Opening Statement This position is open to two P-levels: Electrical Design Plant Engineer (Grade 6 / P2 – Intermediate) and Senior Electrical Design Plant Engineer (Grade 7 / P3 – Career Professional). The level at which an offer is made will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, skills, and experience. Job Overview Join us in leading the transformation of renewable energy at scale. As a Senior or Principal Electrical Design Plant Engineer on our Power Supply Engineering Services team, you won’t just support renewable energy—you’ll shape its future. You'll provide technical leadership and strategic direction in the design and integration of complex electrical systems across hydro, wind, solar, and energy storage projects that power Oregon’s clean energy transition. Your Role: As a senior leader in the engineering team, you’ll be responsible for high-impact, high-visibility projects that influence how we deliver reliable, sustainable energy. Here’s what you’ll take on: Plans and implements the design, procurement, installation and/or maintenance of electrical systems and apparatus, such as electric motors, equipment controls, lighting, wiring, and power systems/devices, and cable/raceway systems for PGE’s new and existing generation fleet. Plant Design Engineers provide design improvements and engineering solutions to electrical problems at thermal, hydro, and renewable plants. Maintains and improves the operation, reliability, safety and regulatory compliance of the company’s generating resources.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering. ABET–accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.
P2: Typically two or more years in related field
P3: Typically five or more years in related field or four or more years with PE license
Intermediate accuracy skills.
Working knowledge of the utility industry.
Intermediate organization and prioritization skills.
Intermediate decision-making skills.
Intermediate written and oral communication skills.
Intermediate individual and group presentation skills.
Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
Ability to follow accuracy standards
Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
Demonstrates sound memory
Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
Ability to work long hours
Ability to work a variable schedule
Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
Ability to work shift schedule
Ability to work on-call schedule

Nice To Haves

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam strongly preferred
Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred
Intermediate knowledge of substations preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the development, procurement, and integration of electrical systems for renewable and generation assets, ensuring designs meet safety, reliability, and operational requirements.
Apply engineering knowledge to address technical challenges and contribute to practical, forward-thinking solutions that improve system performance.
Support system performance by applying engineering principles to ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., NERC/WECC, NEC, NESC, IEEE, etc.) and contribute to continuous improvement of plant operations.
Lead the development, procurement, and integration of sophisticated electrical systems for renewable assets. Your work ensures the safety, reliability, and long-term viability of utility-scale power infrastructure.
Tackle emerging technical challenges in renewable energy by designing creative, forward-thinking solutions. Your insights will guide not only project outcomes but also future design standards and practices.
Apply deep technical expertise to assess system risk, ensure regulatory compliance (e.g., NERC/WECC, OSHA, NFPA, NESC, etc.), and drive continuous improvement in how our facilities perform under real-world demands.
Prepares a variety of moderately complex engineering deliverables; leads smaller production teams.
Develops engineering solutions that meet technical requirements, all applicable codes and regulatory requirements and follow sound engineering practice.
Completes a range of electrical designs and studies.
Assigns tasks and coordinates with other internal/external team members on assigned projects; shares information and provides professional guidance in executing project tasks.
Provides complex design, construction, operation, maintenance or testing elements in support of engineering and construction needs of hydro, wind and thermal plants; contributes to capital budget and job estimates.
Shares current knowledge of latest technology and processes; may assist with mentoring, recognition and any corrective actions required.
Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects; coordinates multiple-discipline activity.
Develops and provides quality assurance reviews of engineering solutions that meet technical requirements, all applicable codes and regulatory requirements and follow sound engineering practice.
Analyzes and completes complex electrical designs and studies, providing data and recommendations on technical matters to management; manages complex electrical projects.
Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects, including representing the team to interdepartmental and external (regulatory) stakeholders.
Plans, develops and coordinates projects with complex design, construction, operation, maintenance or testing elements in support of engineering and construction needs of hydro, wind and thermal plants; provides accurate capital budget and job estimates.
Serves as a technical specialist and provides consultation/guidance to project teams in a practice area; actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring; implements resource-management strategy.

Benefits

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.
PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future.
PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive.
PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do.
One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes.
If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting [email protected] or by calling 503-464-7250.
The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.
To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date.
Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below.
If no date is listed, job is open until filled.
At Portland General Electric, we’re innovators, builders, and achievers.
We’re committed to powering our customers’ potential and making a difference for our community and the planet.
Today, that commitment includes developing an intelligent and resilient electric grid, electrifying transportation and de-carbonizing the energy sector.
We’re proud to deliver an exceptional experience to help our customers thrive.
Our mission is to make clean, reliable and affordable energy services available to all.
We obsess over serving customers and are committed to growing employee career paths with purpose.
Equity and inclusion are core business values; we celebrate our differences and are committed to developing teams that reflect the communities we serve.