Lead R&D Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Purpose and Objectives:

Under the supervision of the System Engineering Director, the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Engineer I/II/III/Sr performs engineering, coordination, and project management duties related to United Power's electric distribution system (12.47 to 69kV), transmission assets (115 to 230kV), market interconnections, generation resources, SCADA systems, and operational technology.

This position serves as a technical bridge between distribution engineering, transmission planning, power supply, market operations, regulatory compliance, system operations, and external transmission/market entities. The T&D Engineer supports the safe, reliable, cost-effective, and compliant operation and development of United Power's electric system, including distribution facilities, transmission interconnections, substations, distributed energy resources, generation interconnections, and market-facing assets.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

T&D Engineer I

• T&D Engineer I is the entry-level position in the T&D Engineer series. Under close to general supervision and within established policies, standards, and procedures, incumbents perform engineering, technical, analytical, and administrative tasks of limited to moderate complexity.
• Assignments are generally well-defined and reviewed frequently while in progress and upon completion. Work may include support of distribution and transmission engineering, SCADA and OT data review, project documentation, outage or reliability analysis, interconnection support, and coordination with internal departments.
• This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer II by the routine nature of assignments, the limited complexity of work, and the level of supervision received.

T&D Engineer II:

• T&D Engineer II is the intermediate career-level classification in the T&D Engineer series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform engineering, technical, analytical, and project-related duties of moderate complexity requiring independent judgment.
• Assignments are provided in general terms and are reviewed periodically during and after completion. Work may include distribution and transmission system analysis, transmission/interconnection support, SCADA and OT data analysis, project design, coordination with external entities, and support of market or regulatory activities.
• This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer I by increased assignment complexity, broader technical responsibility, and greater independence.

T&D Engineer III:

• T&D Engineer III is a fully proficient classification in the T&D Engineer series. Under minimal supervision, incumbents perform complex engineering, coordination, and project management assignments requiring independent judgment, technical expertise, and creative problem-solving.
• Assignments may involve distribution and transmission design, major interconnection projects, market-related operational coordination, SCADA integration, capital project development, regulatory support, and coordination with transmission providers, market operators, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer II by the complexity and independence of assignments. It is distinguished from the Senior T&D Engineer by the Senior classification's responsibility for the most complex assignments, strategic initiatives, program leadership, mentoring, and representing United Power in higher-level technical, market, and regulatory forums.

Senior T&D Engineer:

• Senior T&D Engineer is the advanced-level classification responsible for highly complex and critical engineering assignments with significant impact on system reliability, market participation, interconnection strategy, regulatory compliance, capital planning, SCADA design, and OT networking and long-term system development.
• Working under very minimal supervision, incumbents exercise broad discretion and independent judgment to develop innovative solutions, establish technical standards, lead major projects, mentor other engineers and technical staff, and represent the Cooperative in high-level technical, regulatory, transmission, and market forums.
• This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer III by its strategic scope of work, technical leadership responsibilities, and involvement in complex cross-functional initiatives spanning distribution, transmission, market, SCADA, regulatory, and power supply functions.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Perrform engineering analysis and technical evaluations for United Power distribution, substation, transmission, and interconnection facilities.
• Provide technical support for market-facing resources, generation interconnections, transmission service requests, distributed energy resources, and power supply initiatives. This includes existing small to medium-sized distributed generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar on United Power's system.
• Support design, construction, operation, and improvement of electric facilities with emphasis on safety, reliability, cost effectiveness, system resilience, and member satisfaction.
• Assist in analyzing distribution circuits, substations, and transmission interconnections to identify capacity, voltage, reliability, protection, operational, and power quality concerns.
• Ensure compliance with NERC transmission requirements through accurate documentation and analysis.
• Interface with transmission providers, market operators, generation owners, regulatory entities, consultants, contractors, and neighboring utilities as needed.
• Regularly prepares detailed studies related to various components of transmission and distribution facilities.Using the current software available to the utility, prepares studies such as: Fault, System Coordination, Arc Flash, Load flows, Voltage Drop, and Power Factor Correction
• Support the specification, development, and documentation of equipment ratings for substation, transmission, and distribution devices.
• Represent United Power in engineering, technical, market, and operational forums, including working groups associated with transmission operators, regional transmission organizations, reliability entities, and regulatory bodies.
• Works closely with the Operation Technology (OT) Administrator, Electronic Technicians, and other Engineers to support OT networks (fiber optics, wireless, microwave, and cellular radio) and Distribution Automation (DA) design, installation, and commissioning.
• Assist with the design, maintenance, and operation of the SCADA system, including Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and Outage Management System (OMS), including SCADA system configuration, point mapping, data validation, alarming, telemetry review, operational displays, and integration of new field devices or facilities.
• Support evaluation of future generation, storage, distributed energy resources, and load-serving options from an engineering, interconnection, operational, and market perspective.
• Coordinate with Power Supply, Operations, Engineering, Regulatory, Finance, Member Services, and other internal departments on system needs, project impacts, market considerations, and operational requirements.
• Use SCADA, GIS, AMI, outage management, meter data, engineering models, Python, SQL, and other tools to analyze system performance and support engineering decisions.
• Prepare, review, and revise one-line diagrams, circuit maps, schematic drawings, relay/control diagrams, switching diagrams, and other technical documentation.
• Perform project engineering and project management duties for distribution, substation, transmission, SCADA, communications, interconnection, and operational technology projects.
• Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, material requirements, technical specifications, construction packages, and engineering recommendations.
• Provide engineering support for outages, switching, system emergencies, abnormal operating conditions, and post-event analysis as needed.

Working Conditions:

Seventy percent (70%) of the T&D Engineer's work is completed indoors. Thirty percent (30%) of the work is done outdoors while exposed occasionally to extreme cold, extreme heat, and wet/humid conditions.

The noise level is estimated to be fifty to sixty (50-60) decibels.

T&D Engineers are occasionally exposed to hazards such as airborne dust, sunlight, and odors. Various mechanical and electrical hazards are present, including the risk of electric shock and burns.

Supervision Received and Exercised:
Reports to the System Engineering Director. No Supervisory Duties. May mentor or direct the work of lower-level engineers, administrative staff, or student interns.

Problem Solving:
Provides technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with United Power objectives.

Discretion/Latitude:
Works under general direction. Independently determines and develops an approach to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.

Liaison:
Frequent inter-organizational and outside member contacts. Represents United Power in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.