Principal Engineer - Distribution Planning

Iberdrola•Binghamton, NY

1d•$128,320 - $160,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Engineer works independently and represents AVANGRID in industry associations. This technical leader applies distribution planning criteria and utility engineering practices to identify distribution-system deficiencies, supports Distribution Engineers and Field Planners in assessing reliability and new service requirements, and directs, oversees, and mentors Distribution Planning Engineers. The role proactively leads special projects and studies to solve unique and complex problems with broad business impact. The position addresses complex distribution planning and reliability issues, including thermal loading, distribution automation, N-1 analysis, large customer load additions, and complex DER interconnections. It develops project scopes and solutions for issues outside established planning criteria, including recommendations for new substations and upgrades or replacements of substation transformers and equipment. The engineer develops alternative approaches, including Non-Wires Alternatives, and recommends process improvements in response to business issues and threats. The role studies and reports on distribution facilities across an assigned geographic area, which may cover multiple operating companies, and maintains and prioritizes a 10-year capital-project plan. It manages company-wide and divisional projects, serves as a subject-matter expert, leads teams and initiatives across multiple OpCos, reviews others’ engineering work, mentors colleagues, and directs resources outside the department. The engineer presents to regulatory and public entities, uses computer-aided analysis tools for system planning and DER impact studies, performs analyses related to distribution automation equipment location and settings, and may act as department leader when the Manager of Electric Distribution Planning is absent. Storm restoration assistance is also part of the role. The role is onsite five days a week in Binghamton or Rochester, New York. The base salary range is $128,320 to $160,400, dependent on experience and location.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
10 years of relevant experience.
Depth and breadth of experience in Distribution Planning, Reliability Engineering, and Distributed Energy Resources (DER).
Broad knowledge of internal and external business and regulatory issues.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Responsibilities

Solve complex distribution planning and reliability issues, including thermal loading, distribution automation, N-1 analysis, large-scale customer load additions, and complex DER interconnections.
Develop scopes and propose solutions for complex distribution system improvement projects and deficiencies outside established planning criteria, including recommendations for new substations and substation equipment upgrades or replacements.
Develop alternative methods and design concepts, including Non-Wires Alternatives, to resolve problems or improve processes and services.
Anticipate business issues or threats and recommend process improvements.
Study and report on the status of distribution facilities in the assigned geographic area on a recurring cycle; the area may include multiple operating companies.
Maintain and prioritize a 10-year capital-project plan for the assigned area.
Manage divisional and company-wide projects, studies, and initiatives; serve as a subject-matter expert on demonstration projects, initiatives, and teams.
Lead teams, mentor colleagues, review engineering work, and direct resources outside the department.
Present to regulatory and public entities, explain difficult concepts, and influence others.
Use computer-aided analysis tools to identify system deficiencies, plan system reinforcements, and conduct DER system impact studies.
Perform complex engineering analyses to locate distribution automation equipment and determine its settings.
Serve as department leader in the absence of the Manager of Electric Distribution Planning.
Assist during storm restoration.
Lead cross-OpCo teams, projects, and program initiatives to solve complex problems and identify innovative solutions.
Represent AVANGRID in industry associations.
Assist Distribution Engineers and Field Planners in evaluating system reliability and new service requirements.