Senior Engineer - Substation Controls

Puget Sound Energy•Kent, WA

5d•$108,200 - $180,200

About The Position

Puget Sound Energy’s Substation Engineering group is seeking an engineer to design control systems for substations operating at 12 kV and above, including typical transmission levels of 115 kV and 230 kV. At PSE, substation controls encompass wiring for switchyard equipment, the control house, and control-panel devices up to the protective relays. The engineer provides field support and develops project construction drawings, including detailed schematics and wiring diagrams, to integrate relays and other electrical components that operate, protect, and automate the electrical grid. Projects may include brownfield equipment upgrades, SCADA integration, new greenfield substation designs, and emergency equipment replacements. The role coordinates closely with System Protection and Relay Engineering, Substation Design, and other PSE engineering teams. The position provides professional engineering services and support for the planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and analysis of PSE facilities and assets. It schedules and coordinates major portions of complex projects to meet cost and schedule objectives, reviews design documentation for compliance with PSE expectations, and applies engineering guidelines and principles to complex assignments. The engineer also shares knowledge to support workforce development and may support emergency response operations. The position is safety-sensitive and subject to pre-employment drug screening, including screening for marijuana and marijuana metabolites.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, mechanical, civil, or another appropriate engineering field, or a PE license in lieu of a degree.
Substantial experience in planning, design, specification preparation, technical field work, project cost estimating, and scheduling; typically achieved after eight or more years of practice as a degreed engineer. Years of experience alone do not establish readiness for the job level.
Demonstrated organization, documentation, prioritization, and project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Utility experience designing protection and control systems for substations at 12 kV and above, particularly main-with-transfer, ring, and breaker-and-a-half bus configurations.
Proficiency specifying, designing, and integrating control systems for utility-scale battery storage systems.
Extensive experience interfacing with SCADA and EMS systems.
Strong knowledge and experience designing substation control systems using IEC 61850.
Thorough understanding of NERC CIP standards and compliance requirements.
Advanced proficiency in CAD software.
Extensive experience training and mentoring newer protection and controls engineers.
Experience working in the utility industry.
Advanced knowledge of codes and equipment used in the design and operation of utility systems.
Possession of a Professional Engineering license.
Knowledge of engineering economics and utility accounting practices.
Experience working on complex engineering projects.

Responsibilities

Interpret or modify available guidelines for application to existing problems or processes.
Prepare complex designs, standards, studies, and analyses.
Provide detailed design reviews of internal or external technical documents.
Prepare cost estimates and project evaluations without direct supervision.
Plan and develop project budgets with appropriate documentation.
Ensure compliance with codes, standards, and design, operation, and maintenance requirements.
Identify potential weaknesses in assigned work and initiate corrective action.
Document and share work to strengthen the skills of PSE’s engineering workforce.
Communicate solutions verbally and in writing to people with varied educational and employment backgrounds, including in public forums.
Tailor problem solutions to PSE’s business environment.
Support emergency response work, including immediate and extended restoration efforts related to weather and other system failures.
May lead or coordinate junior engineers, engineering assistants, field technicians, contractors, consultants, and others assisting on projects.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Support planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and analysis of PSE facilities and assets; coordinate complex project segments to meet cost and schedule objectives.
Uphold safety compliance standards, promote a culture of total safety, and perform duties in accordance with regulatory obligations and PSE’s Code of Conduct.