Consulting Engineer - Reliability Planning

Job Description

Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Regional System Planning (RSP) team is looking for a Consulting Engineer to join our team! The Regional System Planning team is responsible for the performance of the over 1,000 distribution circuits, operating at 12.5 kV or 34.5kV from nearly 300 distribution substations across PSE’s service territory. RSP identifies project solutions that support regional load growth and improve system reliability for our customers.

The engineer in this position is the technical lead for the team. They will have an emphasis on improving the reliability and wildfire mitigation of the distribution system in line with PSE’s Reliability Roadmap and wildfire strategy.

Consulting Engineer is the highest level in the Engineering job family at PSE, and is distinguished from the Senior Engineer role by the required degree of practical experience, experience with thought-leadership, capacity to influence peer-leaders, and the ability to conceive of and articulate unconventional and/or advanced problem-solving techniques.

This role provides professional engineering service and support in the planning and analysis of PSE facilities and assets with a focus on improving system reliability. Supports the continued development of PSE’s engineering workforce by sharing knowledge with others. Reviews design and documentation to ensure compliance with PSE expectations. Interprets and applies existing guidelines and engineering principles, practices, and theories toward the completion of assignments involving a substantial degree of complexity, with many interrelated elements requiring considerations not previously encountered. Supports emergency response operations when needed. Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

This job is considered “safety sensitive” as defined in RCW 49.44.240 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening that includes screening for the presence of marijuana and marijuana metabolites.

Job Responsibilities

• Monitors electric distribution system reliability performance for the service territory.
• Performs reliability studies using a variety of tools including Synergi to run power system simulation, modeling and analysis.
• Develops, prepares and justifies reliability improvement projects for the electric distribution system, to meet cost, design standards and time objectives.
• Collaborates with Electric System Design to ensure the scope of work is efficiently and clearly communicated.
• Provides technical support in the planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and analysis of PSE facilities and assets.
• Reviews design and documentation to ensure projects achieve the justified benefits, and comply with codes, standards and design requirements.
• Coordinates with the Planning teams to ensure all issues are addressed holistically.
• Evaluates new emerging technologies that support system reliability.
• Interprets requirements and application of company and industry standards, guidelines, and methods.
• Applies engineering principles, practices and theories.
• Supports emergency response work as requested including immediate and extended restoration efforts driven by weather and other system failures.
• Lead or coordinate the work of junior engineers, engineering assistants, field technicians, and others who assist on specific projects. (This includes contractor/consultants.)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree or PE license in electrical, mechanical, civil or other appropriate engineering field.
• Extensive experience in planning, design, specification preparation, maintenance, project cost estimating and scheduling (typically achieved after 10 or more years practice as a degreed engineer).  Years of acquired experience is provided as a guide and alone does not constitute readiness for job level as individual’s skill acquisition rates can vary significantly.
• Advanced technical and scientific expertise.
• Experience leading engineering projects.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external customers.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working within the utility industry.
• Possession of a Professional Engineering License.
• Knowledge of engineering economics and utility accounting practices.
• Experience working on complex engineering projects.

Additional Information