Engineer III- Grid Modernization

Job Description

Our team is currently planning solutions that leverage automation, storage, distributed energy resources, smart meters, analysis tools and other modern grid technology to meet our evolving operational and customer needs. The successful candidate will use engineering knowledge to provide technical guidance for creating strategic plans for building, operating and maintaining a reliable, resilient, smart, flexible and clean grid.

The ideal candidate will work with cross-functional teams in IT, Operations, Planning, Engineering and Customer Care to gather requirements and identify business needs to inform strategic planning for smart grid technologies. We are looking for someone who has a broad background of planning, design and operations, with experience in transmission and distribution, protection, automation, control systems, generation, metering, telecommunications/SCADA, and/or IT systems.

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.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct.  Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

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

• Provides professional engineering services and technical leadership and expertise in a specialized field of engineering to broadly stated technical problems. Solutions provided by the consulting engineer may involve unconventional or advanced problem-solving techniques. Assignments involve a substantial degree of complexity, with many interrelated elements, requiring considerations not previously encountered.
• Evaluates new emerging technologies to ensure all issues are addressed holistically and that solutions are tailored to PSE’s business environment. Includes preparing of cost estimates and evaluations for project alternatives.
• Develops strategies and pilot project plans for presentation to senior management on emerging grid technology. Develops and builds interdepartmental consensus on analytical approaches and related critical input assumptions that will shape the Company’s grid modernization strategy and/or its implementation.
• Collaboratively builds and maintains strong relationships with internal departments and external stakeholder groups related to grid modernization.
• Responsible for solving unique problems using advanced analytical techniques.
• Communicates solutions and strategies to personnel possessing a wide variety of educational and employment backgrounds including in public forums in both verbal and written forms.
• Develops, executes and maintains department strategy to support overall business objectives.
• May lead or coordinate the work of engineers, engineering assistants, field technicians, and others who assist on specific projects. (This includes contractor/consultants.)
• Reviews the work of internal and external (consulting or contract) engineering staff.
• Documents and shares work with others to strengthen the depth and breadth of skills within PSE’s engineering workforce.
• Provides technical leadership to others in the department and throughout the company. Maintain knowledge of industry developments and best practices.
• Interprets and/or modifies available guidelines for application to existing problems or processes.
• Identifies potential areas of weakness with team’s work, and initiate corrective action.
• Ensures that problem solutions are tailored to PSE’s business environment.
• Ensures compliance with codes, standards, and design, operation, and maintenance requirements.
• Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.
• Supports emergency response work as requested including immediate and extended restoration efforts driven by weather and other system failures. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree or PE license in electrical, mechanical, civil or other appropriate engineering field.
• Substantial experience in planning, design, specification preparation, technical field work, project cost estimating and scheduling (typically achieved after 5 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.
• Demonstrated organization, documentation, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working within the utility industry.
• Possession of a Professional Engineering License.
• Ability to work effectively and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external customers.
• Knowledge and experience with emerging grid technologies.
• Experience leading or managing interdepartmental teams.
• Strong written and oral presentation skills.
• Knowledge of engineering economics and utility accounting practices. Experience working on complex engineering projects.

Additional Information