Principal Engineer - Distribution Planning

Iberdrola•Kirkwood, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Engineer works independently in the Distribution Planning group and serves as a technical leader, overseeing and mentoring Distribution Planning Engineers. The role applies distribution planning criteria and utility engineering practices to identify system deficiencies, evaluate reliability and new service requirements, and address complex planning and reliability issues. It represents AVANGRID in industry associations and may serve as the Department leader when the Manager of Electric Distribution Planning is absent. The position develops studies, scoping documents, and solutions for complex distribution system needs, including thermal loading, distribution automation, N-1 analysis, large customer load additions, complex DER interconnections, and Non-Wires Alternatives. It maintains and prioritizes a 10-year capital project plan for its assigned geographic area, which may span multiple operating companies, and leads or manages divisional and company-wide projects, studies, initiatives, and demonstration projects. The role also presents to regulatory and public entities, reviews engineering work, directs resources outside the department, uses computer-aided analysis tools, and assists with storm restoration. The role is onsite five days per week in Binghamton or Rochester, New York. The base salary range is $128,320 to $160,400, depending on experience and location.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
At least 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.

Responsibilities

Independently apply distribution planning criteria and utility engineering practices to identify distribution system deficiencies.
Assist Distribution Engineers and Field Planners in evaluating system reliability and new service requirements.
Represent AVANGRID in industry associations.
Provide technical leadership, direction, oversight, and mentorship to Distribution Planning Engineers.
Identify and perform special projects and studies that address unique and complex problems with broad business impact.
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 scoping documents and propose solutions for distribution system improvement projects, including issues outside established planning criteria and recommendations for substations and transformer or equipment upgrades or replacements.
Develop alternative methods and design concepts, including Non-Wires Alternatives, to solve problems or improve processes and services.
Anticipate internal and external business issues or threats and recommend process improvements.
Study and report on the status of distribution system facilities in the assigned geographic area on a recurring cycle.
Maintain and prioritize a 10-year capital project plan for the assigned area.
Manage divisional and company-wide projects, studies, and initiatives, and serve as a subject matter expert on assigned demonstrations, initiatives, and teams.
Lead teams and projects or program initiatives across multiple operating companies, identifying innovative solutions to complex problems.
Review engineering work, mentor colleagues, and manage or 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.