Principal Transmission Planning Engineer

SMUD-posted about 2 months ago

Full-time • Mid Level

Hybrid • Sacramento, CA

1,001-5,000 employees

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In support of our reliable planning and clean energy goals, SMUD is seeking a highly engaged and experienced Principal Transmission Planning Engineer for supporting the transmission planning and generation interconnection studies. Under the direction of the Manager of Transmission Planning, this position has the responsibility for reliable planning for the current and future needs of the Bulk Electric System (BES) of SMUD and Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC). This position provides technical expertise and leadership in transmission planning and generation interconnection studies, compliance support with FERC/NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and Criteria, as well as mentoring and oversight for lower level engineers, to support the reliable and cost-effective planning of the BES generation and transmission assets for SMUD and BANC. PurposePerforms and spearheads the performance of transmission planning studies and related engineering analyses and activities. Provides project management and SMUD representation to other utilities and external agencies to ensure an adequate, reliable, and cost-effective transmission system for SMUD. Nature and ScopeServes as a technical or functional expert or consultant providing expertise and/or direction in one or more areas of a professional discipline and assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also serve in a lead/supervisory role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and developing lower-level personnel.

Provides transmission planning expertise and ensures the availability of timely, accurate, technical information on SMUD transmission projects; provides technical support to co-workers, other departments, and SMUD management by conducting studies and technical and economic evaluations; prepares written summaries, reports, and recommendations for planning studies and SMUD projects; responds verbally or in writing to routine and time-critical inquiries from SMUD’s Board of Directors, regulatory bodies, other utilities, public agencies, and other SMUD departments on transmission studies and projects.
Ensures the availability of cost effective, timely, accurate, and up-to-date information on SMUD transmission lines and major electrical equipment; collects, verifies, organizes, and maintains SMUD’s data, in electronic format, on transmission lines and major electrical equipment to enable the transmission planning group and other SMUD departments to perform timely, accurate short circuit, load flow and stability studies by organizing the work group to enter, audit and maintain accurate data; uses computer expertise to facilitate selection, application, and maintenance of appropriate software programs; coordinates data capture, entry, and retrieval/exchange of information.
Spearheads, plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews, and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract; ensures work activities successfully contribute to the overall completion of department projects.
Ensures the technical development of transmission planning staff and quality work products; conducts technical review of evaluations, calculations, reports, and recommendations prepared by less experienced staff members and outside contractors or consultants; provides direction, guidance, suggestions and/or hands-on training to support improvements and quality standards.
Ensures the adequacy and reliability of SMUD transmission system; provides technical support and guidance/consultation to SMUD's other departments including Energy Trading and Contracts, Resource Planning, Power Generation Project Development, Grid Assets, and Distribution Planning and Operations by evaluating projects and proposals; prepares reports; makes recommendations on transmission system losses, system reliability, voltage profiles, and other related issues.
Represents SMUD’s positions, priorities and interests on multi-utility projects and to WECC subcommittees and regulatory bodies by spearheading SMUD and multi-utility work groups; spearheads or participates in review committees; presents or participates in project reviews by regulatory bodies and other agencies.
Recommends and advises SMUD management in strategic and policy-related matters and represents SMUD’s position to ensure its interests and influence are brought to bear in stakeholder forums and policy formulation; provides recommendations for strategic direction to SMUD management by communicating with SMUD staff and management to identity and articulate multiple overlapping issues affecting SMUD business and policy positions; assesses issues addressed by various agencies, including ISO, RTO, CEC, CPUC, EOB and CPA; assesses the impact of proposed changes in agency policy on SMUD operations; formulates and presents recommendations on policy positions to SMUD management to support decision making and achieve optimal solutions; participates in stakeholder forums which address the development of related policy directives and presents SMUD’s positions to influence policy outcomes.
Reviews and directs the work done by contract consultants on selected projects in order to ensure that contract consultant work meets SMUD’s policies and quality standards and contract terms.
Spearheads and supports the development of SMUD technical staff and ensures availability and use of advanced analytical techniques and criteria for new and unique engineering applications; contributes to the development of technical expertise in transmission planning by preparing and/or arranging professional quality technical seminars and presentations to train less-experienced engineers in their areas of responsibility; develops new models and modeling capability for transmission planning; develops advanced analyses techniques and criteria to address and apply to new and unique issues in transmission planning.
Spearheads, plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, and participates in work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives, goals, and deadlines by following established policies and precedents; communicates with team members and incorporates their input to processes and techniques; provides staff training; promotes staff safety and a safe work environment; assists in selecting and orienting new personnel; assists in evaluating work performance results; participates as a team member in accomplishing objectives; refers problems to supervision where solutions are not readily achievable.
Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

A Bachelor’s degree with major course work in electrical engineering or related field from an accredited college or university.
At least seven (7+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in electrical engineering for the power industry with at least five (5+) of those years involved in transmission system planning with project leadership/management, and outside agency interface and inter-utility project involvement.
Power system planning techniques at a mastery level including load flow, stability, fault and economic analysis in order to perform power system studies
Western United States transmission and generation system adequacy and development qualifications and inter-utility relationships
Methods and techniques for planning, organizing, and overseeing work activities
Practices for delegating, assigning, and reviewing work assignments
Techniques and concepts related to teamwork
Methods and techniques for report preparation and writing
Advanced techniques and practices for negotiating
Advanced fundamentals and practices of economic assessment of projects and programs
Fundamentals and practices of program evaluation
Fundamentals and practices of various analytical approaches
Techniques and practices for problem research and resolution
Techniques and practices for resolving complex technical issues
Advanced fundamentals, practices, and procedures related to power system operation
Advanced power system theory
Advanced thermal and hydroelectric generation and load management dispatch
Systems and concepts related to economic operation of a power system
Advanced planning and design techniques
Fundamentals related to short circuit evaluation
Generator unit efficiency and capability characteristics
WECC/NERC Reliability criteria
AC/DC transmission systems
Safety policies, practices, and procedures
Standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software
Fundamentals and practices of database administration
Fundamentals and procedures of electronic records
English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.
Perform system evaluations including transmission power flows, stability, fault, and other engineering studies
Review, assess, and comment on planning reports prepared by inter-utility work groups, WECC committees, regulatory bodies, and consultants
Understand and handle the technical, political, and corporate issues that are subject to change
Interact with others to influence and motivate
Compile and prepare technical, statistical, and/or analytical reports and presentations
Develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences
Work effectively with other utilities and outside agencies to develop joint engineering projects
Interpret, assess, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements
Identity significant organizational issues, concerns, and needs and develop strategies for rectifying them
Interpret, assess, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements
Negotiate with external representatives on behalf of SMUD
Utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job
Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally
Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Advanced degree, such as M.S. or Ph.D. in electrical engineering or related field

SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement.

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