Transmission Line Design Engineer Jobs in Arkansas

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!
We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.
COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

• Senior Engineer II - Transmission Services Salary Range: $125,000 - $137,000
• Senior Engineer - Transmission Services Salary Range: $108,000 - $123,000
• Engineer II - Transmission Services Salary Range: $88,000 - $99,000

The Engineer - Transmission Services is responsible for leading the modeling of the SPP electrical transmission system, engineering analyses supporting Transmission Services, and coordination of any special studies for Southwest Power Pool, Inc. Additionally, Engineer is expected to work closely within SPP and with SPP Tariff customers and Members to collaboratively support all functions within the Transmission Services department. As such, the Engineer provides "dotted line" coordination of activities with various departments of SPP organization, vendors and consultants. This position requires extensive contact and work with employees at all levels of the organization, as well as with SPP members and customers. The Senior Engineer II must have strong communication and interpersonal skills. As such, the Engineer must have a good understanding of the SPP Transmission System and transmission system planning. The Engineer must be able to apply engineering theory to real world situations and perform complex engineering analysis or develop and improve those engineering techniques. The Engineer will lead the overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, policy matters, and any other relevant issues to our processes, including the development of new planning techniques, and processes improvements. This position also requires advanced leadership skills and mentoring other staff members. Leadership activities may include leading efforts with working groups, active involvement with multiple Engineering efforts, representing Transmission Services inside and outside of the Engineering department, and reviewing, approving, and delegating work efforts of team members. This position requires the ability to work under deadlines in a fast-paced environment while also working with Tariff customers, Transmission Owners, and other Transmission Providers on a day-to-day basis. The Engineer is expected to work with minimal supervision.
Core Responsibilities

• Maintain expertise and proficiency with the SPP power system analysis tools, software, and processes
• Develop, maintain, and improve engineering processes and procedures
• Oversite of the technical aspects of the planning processes, including the development and analysis of transmission plans for all applicable planning processes under evaluation
• Detailed understanding of specific governing documents and processes will be required
• Responsible for ensuring that the planning process are meeting the governing language as written, including consideration on how these requirements impact the process as a whole
• Actively support and participate in SPP Stakeholder Process
• Develop positive stakeholder technical, supervisory, leadership and/or management level relationships as necessary to accomplish SPP objectives and assigned directives
• Be prepared to be a staff secretary for an SPP working group/task force, if called to do so
• Provide technical support to customer relationships to collect data and share results. In these cases, facilitate stakeholder feedback discussions to reach a positive customer consensus and satisfaction, to the fullest extent possible
• Exercise advanced decision-making skills for technical studies and services to adapt between standard and non-standard techniques
• Mentor and lead technical support in a teamwork environment, including onboarding and training of new and/or less experienced Transmission Services staff
• Develop project management skills by taking responsibility for the completion of any assigned independent projects
• Provide key technical support in a team environment as a Subject Matter Expert
• Mentor and train SPP staff in technical areas such as powerflow and Transmission Services concepts
• Facilitate and lead the development of Transmission Services' reports, procedures, governing language, and presentations
• Responsible for the technical content that is contained in the reports
• Independently handle several SPP technical processes, studies or tasks with limited scope and minimum supervision
• Embrace and promote the SPP Culture, Mission, and Core Values in attitude toward stakeholder relationships, current work assignments as well as long-term goals and strategic initiative of the organization
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Required Qualifications (all levels):
Bachelor's Degree of Science in Engineering, this degree should: Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation). Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field, and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering.
Senior Engineer II - Transmission Services

• 9 years of relevant Engineering experience; Professional Engineer license or advanced degree in related field of study may satisfy one (1) year of experience requirement.
• Two (2) years of experience may satisfy both a Professional Engineer license and advanced degree in related field.

Senior Engineer - Transmission Services

• 5 years of relevant Engineering experience, Professional Engineer License may satisfy one year of experience requirement.

Engineer II - Transmission Services

• 2 years of relevant engineering experience

Preferred Qualifications (all levels)

• In addition to required undergraduate degree in Engineering, an advanced degree in economics, math, or other related industry.
• Professional Engineer License
• Experience in utility industry
• Proficient with most SPP power systems analysis tools with a solid command of several SPP tools and processes.
• Sound understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, NAESB, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria, and the SPP Committee structure.

Other Requirements (all levels)

• Competency with the administrative and communication tools for word processing, spreadsheet development and time keeping, as a minimum
• Strong knowledge of several power systems analysis tools applicable to power system steady state, dynamic, short circuit, or database management systems
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills along with good written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent working skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access
• Understanding and complying with compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management. Occasional extended or non-standard hours may be required.
Travel Requirement:
This position requires minimal travel (approximately 10%).
SPP is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, SPP makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - SPP.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.