Engineer II - Distribution Reliability Planning

Puget Sound Energy•Bothell, WA

2d•$82,000 - $136,300

About The Position

Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) Electric Distribution Reliability Planning team is seeking an Engineer II to join their group. This team is responsible for evaluating and enhancing the reliability and resilience of over 1,000 distribution circuits, primarily operating at 12.5 kV and supported by approximately 370 distribution substations across PSE's service territory. The team focuses on developing data-driven solutions to improve customer reliability, decrease outage risks, support wildfire mitigation efforts, and advance PSE's grid modernization goals. This role involves providing engineering and analytical support for distribution reliability planning, power system analysis, and the development of reliability improvement projects. The Engineer II will collaborate with various stakeholders, including Capacity Planning, Asset Management, Electric System Design, Construction, and System Operations, to identify system risks, assess alternatives, and support solutions that enhance electric system performance. The position demands strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, the ability to formulate technical recommendations, and effective communication of results. The Engineer II will also support emergency response operations as needed and foster a culture of safety, operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. The role upholds safety compliance standards and promotes a total safety culture, conducting business honestly, ethically, and in accordance with core values and the Code of Conduct, while ensuring regulatory compliance. This job is classified as "safety sensitive" and is subject to pre-employment drug screening.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree or PE license in electrical, mechanical, civil or other appropriate engineering field. A PE license may qualify in lieu of a degree.
Experience in planning, design, specification preparation, technical field work, project cost estimating and scheduling (typically achieved after three (3) or more years practice as a degreed engineer).
Organization, documentation, prioritization, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with both internal and external customers on projects.
Familiar with codes and equipment utilized in the design and operation of utility systems.
Experience with coordinating external consultants in the execution of a project.
Possession of EIT certificate and ability to acquire PE license.
Knowledge of engineering economics and utility accounting practices.

Responsibilities

Perform distribution planning studies and reliability analyses using Synergi Electric and other engineering software tools to evaluate system performance, conduct power flow analysis, and support identification of reliability improvement opportunities.
Monitor and analyze electric distribution reliability performance, including key metrics such as SAIDI, SAIFI, CEMI, and other operational performance indicators.
Support the development and evaluation of capital and operational reliability improvement projects that align with PSE's Reliability Strategy, wildfire mitigation initiatives, resiliency objectives, and grid modernization efforts.
Prepare engineering studies, technical reports, analyses, and project documentation that support planning activities and project development.
Collaborate with Capacity Planning, Asset Management, Electric System Design, Construction, System Operations, Vegetation Management, and other stakeholders to support reliability improvement initiatives.
Provide technical support for the planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and analysis of PSE electric distribution facilities and assets.
Review engineering designs, project documentation, and proposed solutions to help ensure projects achieve intended reliability benefits and comply with applicable codes, standards, and design requirements.
Identify system risks, reliability concerns, and opportunities for process improvement, and assist in developing practical engineering solutions.
Assist in the evaluation of new and emerging technologies, tools, and solutions that support improvements in distribution system reliability, resiliency, and operational performance.
Interpret and apply engineering principles, company and industry standards, guidelines, and established planning methodologies to assigned work.
Communicate technical information and recommendations through written reports, presentations, and stakeholder interactions.
Support emergency response work as requested, including immediate and extended restoration efforts resulting from severe weather events, wildfire-related incidents, and other system disturbances.
May coordinate the work of engineering assistants, field technicians, contractors, consultants, and others supporting assigned projects.
Perform other duties as assigned.