System Engineer

Bandera Electric Cooperative•Boerne, TX

31d•$84,400 - $227,100•Hybrid

About The Position

System Engineers at Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) and BEC Fiber are crucial members of the BEC Engineering team, responsible for planning, protecting, and building the distribution, substation, and transmission systems that serve the cooperative's members. This role involves completing system planning studies, performing protection and coordination analysis, developing construction and material standards, and supporting engineering and project management for construction and upgrade projects. Engineers collaborate with technicians and other engineers to ensure safe, reliable, and economical service. The position encompasses five levels: System Engineer I, II, III, IV, and Senior System Engineer, with candidates placed at a level corresponding to their education, licensure, and experience. All positions report to the Engineering Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) is required for all levels.
Professional Engineering (PE) license is required for System Engineer IV and Senior System Engineer, and is one of the qualifying options for System Engineer III.
System Engineer I – No experience required.
System Engineer II – Minimum of 18 months of related engineering experience and Engineer In Training (EIT) certification, or 4 years of related engineering experience.
System Engineer III – Minimum of 4 years of related work experience.
System Engineer IV – PE license and a minimum of 4 years of related work experience as a Professional Engineer (2 years with a postgraduate engineering degree).
Senior System Engineer – PE license and a minimum of 10 years of related work experience as a Professional Engineer (8 years with a postgraduate engineering degree).
Strong technical knowledge and skills in electrical engineering; depth of knowledge expected increases with level.
Knowledge of distribution planning studies, processes, and modeling software.
Knowledge of substation and transmission facilities.
Knowledge of protective relaying systems and the protective devices used to ensure grid resiliency.
Knowledge of overhead (OH) and underground (UG) design and construction specifications.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with sound engineering judgment.
Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work with increasing independence, managing engineering projects with minimal supervision at higher levels.
Ability to provide direction, guidance, and mentoring to other engineers at higher levels.
Must have valid Texas driver’s license and related insurance.
Must pass background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with smart grid initiatives, AMI and MDM systems, GIS, OMS, distribution automation, and distributed energy resources.
System Engineer III – one of the following: a Professional Engineering (PE) license; 10 years of related work experience; or 8 years of related work experience and a postgraduate engineering degree.
System Engineer III – Leads moderately complex projects and owns protection and standards work.
System Engineer IV – Serves as the technical authority in a specialty area.
Senior System Engineer – Sets engineering standards, advises management on strategy, and mentors engineers.

Responsibilities

Complete planning studies, including load flows, motor starts, system planning, DG additions, capacitor/power factor, load forecast, and power quality studies, to ensure the system can adequately, reliably, and economically serve existing and future load.
Perform system protection analysis and coordination to ensure protective devices perform as designed, and investigate protective device mis-operations or improper coordination.
Prepare construction and material specifications and develop and modify standards that provide for a safe, reliable, and economic system.
Perform engineering and project management duties to construct and upgrade distribution, substation, and transmission facilities.
Work with technicians and other engineers to ensure safe operating conditions, and provide annual reports and updates on system reliability.
Make recommendations to management on initiatives such as distribution automation, advanced metering, SCADA, and grid resiliency plans.
Provide safe, efficient, and dependable service to BEC members at the lowest possible cost.
Provide direction, training, and guidance to coworkers and other engineers as experience level allows.
Stay informed of all company policies and procedures and participate in all safety and training meetings.
Use all personal protective equipment provided.

Benefits

Highly Competitive Wages
Generous Benefit Package
Health, Life and Disability Benefits (no waiting period – benefits start on first day)
Medical, Dental and Vision plans
Health Savings Account (HSA) with a generous employer contribution of $3,250 for Individual medical coverage and $6,500 for Family medical coverage
Company-paid Employee Life insurance and Business Travel insurance
Short- and Long-term disability plans
Supplemental Life and AD&D insurance options
401(k) employer match
Pension plan
PTO – Accrue 180 hours/4.5 weeks of PTO per year to start
10 Paid holidays
Tuition reimbursement
Gym reimbursement for you and your spouse