Principal Engineer - Power Uprate projects

Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC•Madison, WI

12d•$85 - $100•Remote

About The Position

This is a contract position for a Power Uprate Principal Engineer. The role involves leading the technical evaluation, design, and implementation of plant Power Uprate projects to safely increase generation capacity and improve operational efficiency. The engineer will act as a subject matter expert in system performance and electrical engineering analysis, including advanced power system modeling, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, safety standards, and project goals. The position is fully remote within the United States, requiring US citizenship or permanent residency. The role reports to the Manager of Operation Plants Electrical Engineering.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline
8+ years of experience of engineering experience in power generation, utilities, or heavy industry
Demonstrated experience performing power system studies and electrical calculations
Hands-on experience with ETAP (or equivalent tools such as SKM, PSCAD, PowerWorld, etc.)
Strong knowledge of plant electrical distribution systems and grid interconnections
Leadership experience in complex technical projects
Experience supporting plant Power Uprates or major capacity modifications
Expertise in arc flash, protection coordination, and short circuit analysis
Familiarity with nuclear or large fossil/hydro generation environments
Experience with regulatory requirements affecting electrical systems (NERC compliance, licensing)
Advanced analytical skills in power system modeling and simulation
Expertise in ETAP or similar electrical analysis platforms
Strong technical writing and documentation skills
Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts
US citizen or permanent resident

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or ability to obtain

Responsibilities

Lead engineering efforts for plant Power Uprate projects, including feasibility studies, system evaluations, and detailed design.
Be the primary technical authority on Power Uprate strategies, methodologies, and system impacts.
Provide guidance and mentorship to engineering staff, in electrical system analysis and modeling.
Perform and oversee detailed electrical power system calculations, including load flow (power flow) analysis, short circuit and fault current calculations, arc flash hazard analysis, motor starting and dynamic system analysis, and protective device coordination studies.
Evaluate electrical system capacity and limitations to support Power Uprate conditions.
Assess impacts of increased generation on switchgear ratings, transformers, transmission interconnections, and auxiliary power systems.
Ensure calculations meet applicable codes and standards (IEEE, NFPA 70E, NEC, NERC, etc.).
Develop, maintain, and validate ETAP models (or equivalent power system software) for plant electrical systems.
Use ETAP to simulate Power Uprate scenarios and analyze system performance under normal, contingency, and transient conditions.
Ensure model accuracy through field data validation, system walkdowns, and configuration control.
Create and review ETAP-based reports supporting engineering decisions, regulatory submittals, and design changes.
Provide technical leadership in improving and standardizing ETAP modeling practices across the organization.
Develop and review engineering calculations, analyses, and design modifications associated with Power Uprate implementation.
Support project planning, scheduling, and risk management activities.
Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet scope requirements.
Maintain auditable engineering calculations and documentation.
Coordinate with operations, maintenance, transmission planning, and design engineering.
Support outage planning and execution for electrical system modifications.
Work with vendors, consultants, and external engineering firms on specialized studies.
Evaluate plant systems (thermal, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation & control) for Power Uprate capability and constraints.
Identify required upgrades or modifications to support increased output.
Perform or oversee system performance modeling and integration analyses across departments.
Ensure all Power Uprate activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., NRC, FERC, NERC, IEEE standards).
Prepare and support licensing submittals, technical reports, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
Identify technical risks associated with Power Uprate and electrical system modifications and develop mitigation strategies.
Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards, including arc flash and protection studies.
Promote strong safety culture and engineering rigor.