Transmission Strategy and Development, Engineer Senior

APS•Phoenix, AZ

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Transmission Strategy and Development Engineer Senior evaluates APS’s transmission system and develops long-term transmission projects to support delivery of new generation resources and serve a growing load base. Projects may be developed by APS or through participation in third-party developer projects. The role conducts transmission studies that assess reliability and deliverability impacts from new transmission and generation projects, and leads multiple projects simultaneously from initiation through handoff to the development team. The engineer provides project oversight, reports on progress, coordinates project activities, and administers and provides technical direction to outside study consultants. This position focuses on longer-term transmission projects that enable resource delivery and transmission capacity opportunities, rather than NERC standards or traditional capital planning for general system growth. The engineer works with APS’s New Generation Development and Transmission Planning teams, outside utilities, developers, consultants, regional committees, and other stakeholders. The role also maintains knowledge of new developments, technologies, and industry practices and may provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
Eight years of experience working in engineering-related positions.
Eligible degree disciplines include Materials Science/Metallurgy, Physics, Chemistry, Math, Nuclear, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Computer Science, Environmental, Chemical, Architectural, and Structural.
Ability to reside in Arizona, or in New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees.
For hybrid work, ability to work approximately 40% of the time in person at an APS or other non-home-office location and maintain adequate home-office technology and an appropriate ergonomic setup.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of power-flow and transient-stability studies and software, including PSLF, TARA, PowerWorld, or PSSE.
Knowledge of short-circuit studies, including CAPE (APA) or ASPEN.
Experience with NERC standards, including MOD, TPL, CIP, FAC, and PRC.
Familiarity with the FERC pro-forma Open Access Transmission Tariff.
Familiarity with the southwestern and WECC transmission system.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers, outside agencies, and regulatory authorities.

Responsibilities

Develop long-term transmission projects and promote investment in transmission infrastructure that enables new resource-delivery capacity and transmission opportunities.
Serve as the technical contact for third-party consultants by answering questions, ensuring appropriate study scope and assumptions, coordinating base cases, and bridging work with APS’s Transmission Planning team.
Advise the New Generation Development team on new resource interconnection, reliability impacts, and resource deliverability.
Perform technical studies using system simulation software, such as PSLF and TARA, to plan transmission system expansion.
Take initiative to remove barriers and use available resources to achieve desired results.
Interface with outside utilities and developers to identify joint transmission opportunities.
Represent APS on regional committees.
Lead multiple projects from initiation through handoff to the development team, including oversight, reporting, and coordination.
Coordinate, administer, and provide technical direction to outside study consultants.
Prepare and review engineering plans, analyses, specifications, estimates, evaluations, studies, technical reviews, investigations, and verifications; ensure work is technically sound, cost-effective, and compliant with applicable requirements.
Integrate complex project elements, identify potential schedule or quality problems, and initiate corrective action.
Coordinate with customers and other departments to clarify objectives and ensure work scope meets requirements, budget, and schedule; present technical information and project results to colleagues, management, and customers.
Provide technical guidance, leadership, and support to less experienced engineers.
Help resolve technical issues, challenge assumptions and decisions, develop strategies and paths forward, and leverage industry and organizational resources.
May plan and coordinate large-scale engineering programs or multiple medium-scale projects, direct consultants, conduct feasibility studies, estimate costs and resources, and recommend engineering criteria.
May research new technologies and developments and recommend their feasibility for company operations.