Principal / Senior Operations Transmission Engineer

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven't stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We're always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Summary

PGE Grid Operations ensures the delivery of safe and reliable power to our customers while enabling the integration of renewable resources, distributed energy resources, and the expansion of distribution automation.

• Transmission Operations Coordinates with crews and other operations personnel to operate the electric power transmission system to meet power supply demands with adequate distribution of electricity.
• Grid Operation Transmission Engineer performs power system analysis of the interconnected grid, supports, and develop electric network model in the Energy Management System, and provides engineering support in the Operations Horizon to PGE's Transmission, Balancing Authority and Energy Imbalance Market Entity Operation while ensuring reliable operation of the interconnected transmission system. They additionally provide support to field operations during switching, outage restoration and system planning and key stakeholder groups

This position will serve as a technical specialist responsible for providing specialized products and operations support to real time dispatch of PGE's reliability and market operations; and provide transmission operations engineering support to key PGE projects. In extreme circumstances, this position will also serve as a back up to real time operations engineering support and have an emergency response responsibility during transmission emergencies and extreme weather/storm operations.

We're hiring for a position open to both P3 and P4 level candidates. The level will be determined based on the successful applicant's qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills during the interview process.

Career Level Summary

P3: Career Professional

• Requires in-depth knowledge and experience.

• Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services.
• Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions.
• Works independently, receives minimal guidance.
• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

P4: Specialist Professional

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise.
• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices.
• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.
• May lead functional teams or projects.

Key Responsibilities

Senior Transmission Operations Engineer

• Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and provides guidance and direction on engineering processes and standards to colleagues when requested.
• Provides technical expertise and oversight to ensure compliance with applicable NERC/WECC reliability standards for transmission operations; prepares documentation and represents PGE as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in support of the WECC audit process of the NERC reliability standards; consults with other PGE workgroups to assist in their compliance efforts.
• Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects; coordinates multiple-discipline activity.
• Completes and reviews engineering analyses for operation of the transmission system (current day, next day, and seasonal system studies); develops and manages Total Transfer Capability (TTC) and System Operating Limits (SOLs) of PGE's transmission paths and flowgates for the Operations horizon; anticipates and responds to unplanned outages and system emergencies and leads the identification of actions needed to promptly restore service and alleviate emergency conditions. Performs quality assurance on data required for Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and neighboring utilities.
• Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects, including representing the team to interdepartmental stakeholders. Interfaces with the reliability coordinator, BPA, and PACW to coordinate seasonal study results, real-time operating limits, and path flow ratings; provides recommendations and analysis for outage scheduling and construction/maintenance plans affecting the transmission system in the one-year horizon; oversees transmission switching plans to support capital projects and maintenance activities.
• Acts as Grid Operations Transmission Operations and Engineering liaison in specialized projects and represent PGE in external conferences, meetings, working groups etc. Engage and coordinates with peers to develop new tools and processes
• Serves as a technical specialist and provides consultation/guidance towards PGE's strategic goals and projects as part of PGE's long term transmission strategy such as Grid Enhancing Technology, Real Time and Day Ahead Markets, FERC Regulation Requirements; actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring; implements resource-management strategy.
• Provides and develops guidance, methods, criteria, direction and training to multiple stakeholders on power systems operations policies and technical issues
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Certifications

Senior Transmission Operations Engineer - Career Professional (P3):

• Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.
• Typically five or more years in engineering, or four or more years in a related field with PE license.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred; may be required based upon role. Must be able to obtain the NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification.

Principal Transmission Operations Engineer - Specialist Professional (P4):

• Education: Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.
• Experience: Typically, eight or more years in engineering.
• Certifications, Licenses, and Training:Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred; may be required based upon role. Must be able to obtain the NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification.

Valid driver's license required.

Competencies

Functional Competencies: (Career/Specialist)

• Expert/Advanced knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
• Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
• Expert/Advanced knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures; intermediate knowledge of other related departments and functions.
• Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.
• Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
• Intermediate knowledge of construction feasibility.
• Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
• Advanced knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.
• Expert/Advanced knowledge of PGE's electrical transmission and distribution system.
• Advanced knowledge of electrical principles and concepts.
• Working knowledge of real-time and off-line power-flow software applications and high-level programming languages.
• Advanced knowledge of protection schemes for substations and transmission/distribution facilities.
• Advanced knowledge of FERC Rules and Regulations; NERC and WECC Reliability Standards

General Competencies:

• Advanced accuracy skills.
• Advanced analytical thinking skills.
• Advanced/Intermediate knowledge of the utility industry.
• Advanced organization and prioritization skills.
• Advanced problem-solving skills.
• Advanced decision-making skills.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced presentation skills.

Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level: Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).

Cognitive:

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks.
• Ability to follow accuracy standards.
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks.
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress.
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change.
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback.
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement.
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization.
• Demonstrates sound memory.
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks.

Schedule/Attendance:

• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule.
• Ability to work long hours.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather.
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.
• Ability to work shift schedule.
• Ability to work on-call schedule.

Physical Capabilities:

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less).
• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less).
• Computer use: Use computer regularly for entire work shift.
• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lbs.
• Carrying: Up to 10 lbs.
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (e.g., moving equipment, boats):
• Walking distances and surfaces: Long distances and over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.

Environment: Indoor/outdoor

• Office
• Plant
• Field

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Compensation Range:

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.comor by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.