General Definition of Work

Performs advanced technical work to improve electrical systems at power plants with primary focus on higher voltage equipment, design, and project development. This role administers, and modifies change management procedure, follows outage management processes and adheres to procurement policies and communicates as required with the power plants and supports NERC compliance. The role will prepare detailed engineering designs and calculations, provide input regarding maintenance and testing of electrical apparatus and systems, interpret system designs and managers drawings to ensure compliance and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Generation Engineering Manager.  

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Provide technical leadership, design and oversight on projects to repair or improve high and low voltage electrical systems at power plants, such as GSU’s, protection systems, relays, fuses, breakers, switchgear, exciters, generators and balance of plant systems. This role evaluates significant issues, designs and may create project plans to be implemented by project management staff. This may include developing key aspects of project plans (conceptual project details, schedules, cost estimates); developing key aspects of scopes of work for outside consultants and vendors and managing to that scope of work; writing equipment specifications and managing procurement to those specifications; interfacing with contractors and vendors, etc. This role requires independent troubleshooting ability on all types of electrical equipment and the capability to implement engineering solutions to correct deficiencies.

Lead analyses of electrical systems to assess performance, such as protection system mis operation analyses, analyses to establish protection system settings, analyses to coordinate protection system performance with control system performance, and support transmission planning analyses (power flow, short circuit, stability), and develop recommendations for improvements if necessary.

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations, such as establishing facility and equipment ratings, calculating equipment characteristics such as impedances, and calculating key aspects of protective relay settings at power plants, as well as reviewing applied transmission protection systems for FMPA and its members for sequence of events analysis supporting transmission planning functions.

Assists with responsibility to ensure compliance to all relevant NERC standards. This may include review of compliance deadlines, testing methodologies, standard development, standard modifications, development of work orders to ensure timely compliance, communication of standard requirements to plant personnel and completion of appropriate documentation that can be shared with FMPA’s compliance department.

Maintain up-to-date records, including drawings, equipment specifications, engineering calculations, etc., to support not only good business practice, but also compliance with various regulations (such as NERC standards).  Apply knowledge of DC and AC protection and control system design to manage, categorize, and identify affected drawings when facility changes and upgrades are necessary.

Nurture excellent working relationships with power plant personnel operated by agents of the agency (our agents are not FMPA employees). Provide a high degree of collaboration and coordination with FMPA’s agents and members with limited supervision. Supporting Plant I & C Engineers as needed on projects involving low voltage instruments and control systems.

Prepare well written, clear and concise emails, reports and presentations that communicate effectively to non-technical audiences and/or to technical audiences of various backgrounds and skill levels.

Investigate issues identified by field personnel and resolve those issues to the satisfaction of FMPA and our operating agents. Provide reviews and opinions as necessary to power plant personnel regarding test results, proposed facility modifications and upgrades, and recommended maintenance practices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of related industry, organization, department policies, NERC and other regulatory policies, and departmental legal guides, recommendations, best practices, ordinances, and laws; general knowledge of materials and methods used in industrial/electric power plant electrical systems; ability to design and oversee the construction and installation of electrical utility systems and facilities; ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form; ability to prepare and present technical reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, industry professionals, and the general public.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Electric Power, with a minimum of 8 years of experience in electric power plants and electric power utilities industry. Experience in high voltage equipment design and project oversight is preferred. This role would benefit from experience working with government regulatory agencies (such as NERC) or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel a must. Knowledgeable in Mathcad, Engineering Drawing Systems and Microsoft Project. Experience using plant electrical power system analysis software such as ETAP, EDSA, Easypower, SKM, and work management systems, such as Maximo are a plus

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 45 pounds of force; carrying equipment or materials in excess of 35 pounds to upper levels of power plants. Work regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, climbing ladders, multiple flights of stairs, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data; work is generally in a moderately to highly noisy location (e.g. business office, Power plant, light traffic). Work will be a combination of inside and outside work in hot and cold conditions, with heights up to 100’ and in confined spaces.

Special Requirements

Professional Engineer license (preferred).

Valid driver's license.