Electrical Design Plant Engineer - Power Generation

Portland General Electric•Portland, OR

2d•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. 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. 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. 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

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
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam strongly preferred
Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred
Intermediate knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
Intermediate knowledge of other engineering disciplines and intermediate ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
Intermediate knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures.
Intermediate industry knowledge and technology trends.
Intermediate knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
Working knowledge of construction feasibility.
Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
Intermediate knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.
Intermediate knowledge of initiating electrical improvements and corrective actions for power plants, dams and related facilities.
Intermediate knowledge in the thermal, wind and/or hydro generation areas; knowledge of substations preferred.
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
Does the job require a valid driver’s license? Yes
Driving/travel/commute Daily within service territory
Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
Lifting/pushing/pulling Up to 10 lb
Carrying Up to 10 lb
Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply: Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)

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.
All Engineering Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and independently applies professional knowledge of engineering processes and standards to assignments/projects.
Plant Design Subfunction Applies professional knowledge of NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection and professional knowledge of NEC and NESC to plant design and construction and applies engineering theories and concepts in enhancing knowledge of power generation facilities; enhances familiarity with and ability to find specific IEEE standards.
All Engineering 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.
Plant Design Subfunction 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.
All Engineering Assigns tasks and coordinates with other internal/external team members on assigned projects; shares information and provides professional guidance in executing project tasks.
Plant Design Subfunction 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.
All Engineering Shares current knowledge of latest technology and processes; may assist with mentoring, recognition and any corrective actions required.
All Engineering Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and provides guidance and direction on engineering processes and standards to colleagues when requested.
Plant Design Subfunction Supports Compliance with extended professional knowledge of NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection; applies working knowledge of NEC and NESC for plant design, construction and support; applies working knowledge of power generation facilities for design and support; applies IEEE standards for specification development, plant design and support; provides technical guidance on plant designs, construction and support to other engineers and plant staffs.
All Engineering 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.
Plant Design Subfunction Analyzes and completes complex electrical designs and studies, providing data and recommendations on technical matters to management; manages complex electrical projects.
All Engineering Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects, including representing the team to interdepartmental and external (regulatory) stakeholders.
Plant Design Subfunction 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.
All Engineering 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.