Power System Principal Engineer (Transmission & Substation Protection Engineering)

City of Austin•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position serves in Austin Energy's Transmission & Substation Protection Engineering Team which is responsible for the system protection engineering of the utility transmission, substation and distribution assets. The team is seeking a Principal Engineer to act as a subject matter expert in key areas, including: system protection studies, protection philosophy, protection system settings development, and regulatory compliance. This position requires an engineer experienced in system protection engineering design fundamentals and challenges; providing mentorship and technical leadership to a team of engineers; possessing strong analytical skills and being a proven problem solver in both team and independent settings. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who works independently with minimal direction and a collaborator who can lead effectively in a team environment including cross functional engineering and non-technical staff.

Requirements

Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations such as, generation, transmission, distribution and other related fields.
Knowledge of utility standards and regulatory requirements, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) compliance requirements.
Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.
Knowledge of established engineering principles and methods.
Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the Local, State and Federal ordinances and laws.
Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.
Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, or in a field related to the job, eight (8) years of experience in engineering, acquired either before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, the ability to obtain a Texas PE license within one (1) year of employment

Nice To Haves

Experience providing mentorship to develop other protection engineers
Experience in applying power system protection principles and relaying schemes for utility T&D systems
Experience in utility power systems analysis to perform system protection studies, develop protection schemes and relay settings
Experience using ASPEN OneLiner and SEL QuickSet/Grid Configurator
Experience in trouble shooting protection systems and mis-operation analysis
Experience with NERC reliability standards and ERCOT requirements
Experience reading protection and control drawings such as one-line drawings, AC/DC schematic drawings and wiring schematics
Ability to travel to multiple sites as-needed.

Responsibilities

Develops technical specifications and standards by applying knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering discipline, including the methods, materials, equipment and techniques used.
Plans, researches, designs, and implements engineering studies and projects and/or program areas by applying advance technical knowledge of engineering discipline.
Manages and negotiates contracts by reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records.
Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators or suppliers and City.
Negotiates problems of changes, errors or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.
Manages and monitors engineering projects for compliance.
Reviews, analyzes, and interprets plans, specifications, contracts and other related documents.
Develops and monitors project budgets and assists in developing, managing and submitting proposed budget forecast planning for short- and long-term city planning.
Monitor projects for regulatory compliance and maintains knowledge of the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) standards and regulatory requirements.
May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.