Equipment Engineer III - Transmission & Substation Services - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy•Akron, OH

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position involves working with operating company and corporate personnel to generate and maintain a current list of potential transmission projects. Responsibilities include conducting technical engineering reviews and developing designs for the civil aspects of transmission line infrastructure. The role also involves prioritizing projects based on factors like facility performance and outage history, evaluating mining impacts and karst topography, and assessing blasting designs for potential transmission asset impacts. Additionally, the position supports slip and soil erosion mitigation efforts, leads and supports transmission tower foundation inspection and restoration, and presents projects to upper management for consideration, approval, and funding. The role includes pre-engineering field reviews, identifying project work scopes, interacting with design engineers and field personnel, performing quality control inspections, coordinating project meetings, investigating line operations and identifying remedies, and interfacing with external entities like the North American Transmission Forum (NATF) and EPRI. The engineer will also conduct tests and inspections to evaluate quality or performance, lead discussions on project/process alternatives, develop and implement technical process/project improvements, attend departmental meetings, review encroachments within Transmission Rights-of-Ways, and maintain a safe workplace. The ability to deliver quality, accurate work within deadlines and mentor Rotational Engineers and Co-Ops is also required. An Engineer IV level employee will perform these responsibilities with more proficiency and independence, with additional related duties.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required.
Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program.
Minimum of 3 (three) years of Engineering experience is required.
Experience in analyzing complex problems and demonstrating good judgment in decision making is essential.
Demonstrated ability to manage diverse projects dealing with schedule, cost tracking and budget control.
Demonstrated experience in accomplishing responsibilities in a timely manner through maximizing organizational resources, financial decision making and employing logical engineering approaches.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with multiple departments in multiple locations.
Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to perform in a professional manner including the ability to make formal technical presentations to various management levels.
Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office) and AutoCAD required with core understanding of applicable technical products and/or services.
Ability to work in both an office and field environment.
Willing and able to support travel to various company locations (including overnight travel) as needed.

Nice To Haves

Civil Engineering is preferred.
A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
Mining experience preferred.
Blasting experience preferred.
Knowledge of the electric transmission system, reliability standards and regional transmission organizations is preferred.
Knowledge of NESC, NERC, and RF standards and policies of the electric utility industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

Generate and maintain a current list of potential transmission projects.
Conduct technical engineering reviews and develop designs of civil aspects related to transmission line infrastructure.
Prioritize projects based on facility performance, outage history, number of customers impacted, etc.
Evaluate Mining impacts and karst topography.
Evaluate blasting designs for potential transmission asset impacts.
Support slip and soil erosion mitigation efforts.
Lead and/or support transmission tower foundation inspection and restorations.
Present projects to upper management for consideration, approval and funding.
Perform pre-engineering field review of facilities, identifying specific project work scope.
Interact with design engineers and field personnel responsible for project construction.
Perform periodic quality control field inspections.
Coordinate and schedule project meetings with internal and external sources.
Investigate line operations, causes and identify remedies to eliminate future operations.
Interface with the North American Transmission Forum (NATF), EPRI, and other external entities as necessary.
Conduct tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Lead discussions with departments inside and outside of the facility in identifying project/process alternatives and solutions.
Develop and implement technical process/project improvements and efficiencies with field personnel as necessary.
Attend and participate in departmental meetings and activities as necessary.
Review encroachments within Transmission Rights-of-Ways.
Maintain a safe workplace for coworkers and the community based upon knowledge of potential hazards and industry regulations/requirements.
Deliver quality, accurate work within established deadlines.
Mentor Rotational Engineers and Co-Ops that enter the department.