Engineer III - Distribution Planner

Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.

PSE's Planning team is looking for qualified candidates to fill an open Engineer III - Distribution Planner position!

Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.

Job Description

Under minimal supervision of more experienced staff, the Operations & Capacity Planner in this position will have an emphasis on improving the capacity and operating performance of the distribution system in line with future integration of smart grid devices and systems, including distribution energy resources (DER), volt/var optimization (VVO), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), distribution automation (DA).

The right candidate is someone who is excited about realizing the future of energy delivery while meeting our customers’ needs today and is curious about learning and passionate about improving.

Expectations of this position include the following:

- Knowledge and ability to apply engineering principles, guidelines, practices, theories and methods to perform analyses solving relatively complex problems with many interrelated elements requiring consideration.

- Effective verbal and written communication across the organization to present information to technical and non-technical audiences.

- Supports emergency response operations work as needed including immediate and extended restoration efforts driven by weather and other system failures.

- Ensures compliance with codes, standards, designs, operation, and maintenance requirements and uphold 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.

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 technical review of potential system impacts from proposed substantial load additions and provides timely response that includes study results and recommendations.

- Monitors and analyzes the electric distribution system operation performance to proactively plan projects to address system deficiencies.

- Prepares complex engineering analyses and studies of the electric system to provide for future needs using LoadSEER and SynerGi modeling program.

- Interprets and/or modifies available planning guidelines for application to existing problems or processes.

- Provides a detailed design review of internal or external technical documents to ensure compliance with PSE standards and expectations.

- Develops, prepares and justifies capacity improvement projects for the electric distribution system to meet cost, design standards, and schedule objectives with appropriate documentation.

- Identifies potential areas of weakness with assigned work, and initiates corrective action.Documents and shares work with others to strengthen the depth and breadth of skills within PSE’s engineering workforce.

- May lead or coordinate the work of engineering assistants, field technicians and others who assist on specific projects.

- May evaluate new emerging technologies to ensure all issues are addressed holistically and that problem solutions are tailored to PSE's business environment.

- 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 on complex engineering projects in the electric utility industry.

- Experience working with internal and external customers in meeting system and customer needs.

- Experience using an electrical analysis program such as LoadSEER, SynerGi, CYME, or other programs.

- Knowledge of engineering economics, analysis, and utility accounting practices.

- Possession of EIT certificate and ability to acquire PE license.

Additional Information

At PSE we value and respect our employees and provide them opportunities to excel. We offer a competitive compensation and rewards package.

The pay range for this position is $91,100.00 - $151,600.00, and this position is eligible for annual goals based incentive bonuses.

PSE offers a suite of benefits to our employees. Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. There are additional voluntary options of supplemental life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare, and an Employee assistance program (EAP). For long term savings, PSE offers a 401(k) investment option and a cash balance retirement plan. Employees will also receive Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays throughout the calendar year. Detailed benefit overviews can be found on our Career page - Why Work For Us (pse.com).

Families and businesses depend on PSE to provide the energy they need to pursue their dreams. Our steadfast commitment to serving Washington communities with safe, dependable and efficient energy started in 1873. Today we're building the Northwest's energy future through efforts like our award winning energy efficiency programs and our leadership in renewable energy.

Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status or presence of a disability that with or without reasonable accommodation does not prevent performance of the essential functions of the job, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law.

Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at jobs@pse.com or 425-462-3017.