Sr. Engineer II, Sr. Engineer, or Engineer II - Transmission Services

Southwest Power Pool • Little Rock, AR

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Engineer – Transmission Services is responsible for leading the modeling of the SPP electrical transmission system, engineering analyses supporting Transmission Services, and coordination of any special studies for Southwest Power Pool, Inc. Additionally, Engineer is expected to work closely within SPP and with SPP Tariff customers and Members to collaboratively support all functions within the Transmission Services department. As such, the Engineer provides "dotted line" coordination of activities with various departments of SPP organization, vendors and consultants. This position requires extensive contact and work with employees at all levels of the organization, as well as with SPP members and customers. The Senior Engineer II must have strong communication and interpersonal skills. As such, the Engineer must have a good understanding of the SPP Transmission System and transmission system planning. The Engineer must be able to apply engineering theory to real world situations and perform complex engineering analysis or develop and improve those engineering techniques. The Engineer will lead the overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, policy matters, and any other relevant issues to our processes, including the development of new planning techniques, and processes improvements. This position also requires advanced leadership skills and mentoring other staff members. Leadership activities may include leading efforts with working groups, active involvement with multiple Engineering efforts, representing Transmission Services inside and outside of the Engineering department, and reviewing, approving, and delegating work efforts of team members. This position requires the ability to work under deadlines in a fast-paced environment while also working with Tariff customers, Transmission Owners, and other Transmission Providers on a day-to-day basis. The Engineer is expected to work with minimal supervision.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Engineering, this degree should: Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation). Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field, and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering.
• Senior Engineer II – Transmission Services: 9 years of relevant Engineering experience; Professional Engineer license or advanced degree in related field of study may satisfy one (1) year of experience requirement. Two (2) years of experience may satisfy both a Professional Engineer license and advanced degree in related field.
• Senior Engineer - Transmission Services: 5 years of relevant Engineering experience, Professional Engineer License may satisfy one year of experience requirement.
• Engineer II – Transmission Services: 2 years of relevant engineering experience
• Competency with the administrative and communication tools for word processing, spreadsheet development and time keeping, as a minimum
• Strong knowledge of several power systems analysis tools applicable to power system steady state, dynamic, short circuit, or database management systems
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills along with good written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent working skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, Access
• Understanding and complying with compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Nice To Haves

• In addition to required undergraduate degree in Engineering, an advanced degree in economics, math, or other related industry.
• Professional Engineer License
• Experience in utility industry
• Proficient with most SPP power systems analysis tools with a solid command of several SPP tools and processes.
• Sound understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, NAESB, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria, and the SPP Committee structure.

Responsibilities

• Maintain expertise and proficiency with the SPP power system analysis tools, software, and processes
• Develop, maintain, and improve engineering processes and procedures
• Oversite of the technical aspects of the planning processes, including the development and analysis of transmission plans for all applicable planning processes under evaluation
• Detailed understanding of specific governing documents and processes will be required
• Responsible for ensuring that the planning process are meeting the governing language as written, including consideration on how these requirements impact the process as a whole
• Actively support and participate in SPP Stakeholder Process
• Develop positive stakeholder technical, supervisory, leadership and/or management level relationships as necessary to accomplish SPP objectives and assigned directives
• Be prepared to be a staff secretary for an SPP working group/task force, if called to do so
• Provide technical support to customer relationships to collect data and share results. In these cases, facilitate stakeholder feedback discussions to reach a positive customer consensus and satisfaction, to the fullest extent possible
• Exercise advanced decision-making skills for technical studies and services to adapt between standard and non-standard techniques
• Mentor and lead technical support in a teamwork environment, including onboarding and training of new and/or less experienced Transmission Services staff
• Develop project management skills by taking responsibility for the completion of any assigned independent projects
• Provide key technical support in a team environment as a Subject Matter Expert
• Mentor and train SPP staff in technical areas such as powerflow and Transmission Services concepts
• Facilitate and lead the development of Transmission Services’ reports, procedures, governing language, and presentations
• Responsible for the technical content that is contained in the reports
• Independently handle several SPP technical processes, studies or tasks with limited scope and minimum supervision
• Embrace and promote the SPP Culture, Mission, and Core Values in attitude toward stakeholder relationships, current work assignments as well as long-term goals and strategic initiative of the organization
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Benefits

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level