Performance Engineer

UPPCO is seeking a Performance Engineer to join their Distribution team, preferably in Ishpeming, Michigan.

 For the right candidate, we will consider our Hancock, Michigan location.

This role supports UPPCO’s utility operations through data analysis, regulatory compliance, asset management, and process optimization activities. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining accurate records and documentation, combined with effective analytics, and communication to drive continuous improvement. The position plays a critical role in aligning engineering practices with regulatory requirements and leveraging modern technologies to enhance service quality and reliability.

WHAT WE OFFER.

- Competitive salary to be based on your knowledge and experience.

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

- 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 5% company match.

- Additional insurances at no cost to you; short and long-term disability, medical emergency transport, basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, and employee assistance.

- Generous paid time off and nine paid holidays.

- Full-time Monday-Friday schedule generally working 8:30a.m - 5:00pm.

- Relocation assistance, if needed.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Service Quality & Reliability Analysis

- Responsible for Outage Management System (OMS) analysis & reporting for internal use and for external entities.

- Research and understand UPPCO’s reporting responsibilities to the MPSC orders related to service quality and performance measures.

- Provide frequent and routine review of UPPCO’s outage data and identify when outage investigations are warranted. Coordinate investigations with appropriate work groups.

- Review and update outage data in the OMS and geographic information system (GIS) systems, as appropriate, to maintain and improve the accuracy of UPPCO’s OMS records

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- Manage and maintain customer outage records.

- Provide technical assistance during major storm events.

- Review ATC outage data for conformity to UPPCO OMS records, as needed, and mitigate the impact of ATC-requested outages to UPPCO customers.

- Compile and summarize field power quality investigation

- Review and track automated meter infrastructure (AMI) alarms, voltage investigations and related customer communication.

- Support field investigations for unusual power quality events, such as stray voltage, harmonics, and EMF.

Regulatory Reporting & Compliance Administration

- Responsible for administration and management of UPPCO’s outage reports to ensure regulatory compliance, specifically for Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reliability reporting.

- Assure MPSC reports are compliant and filed in the timelines prescribed by MPSC Rules or Orders.

- Assure compliance with MPSC’s monthly and annual reliability reporting requirements and perform appropriate and frequent reviews for repetitive and long duration outage credits, using meter technologies, as necessary, to confirm OMS outage data.

- Coordinate with other departments to obtain data for MPSC reliability and performance reports.

- Assist with the development of tariffs, rate cases, and rules as needed

- Coordinate with internal UPPCO departments and software vendors to develop UPPCO’s ability to track and report on major storms, momentary outages, reliability measures (MAIFI, CEMI, and CELID), and other MPSC-required service quality and performance measures.

- Assist the regulatory department with temporary or permanent waiver requests, if warranted.

- Develop reporting methods to respond to new or changing MPSC requirements

- Support other departments with technical aspects to legislative issues, as needed.

Distribution Plan / Asset Management

- Provide data and support for UPPCO’s Distribution plan.

- Coordinate with other departments, such as Distribution and Substation Operations and Engineering groups and System Operating, to support distribution maintenance planning and reliability improvements, including asset inspections, equipment maintenance and replacement cycles, and line clearance.

- Maintain pole attachment records and conduct quarterly and annual billing reviews

- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate improved processes, documentation and training practices for: shared utility facilities coordination. permit and railroad easement/permit renewals, easement tracking, National Joint Utilities Notification System (NJUNS) data tracking

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

- Work with and directly support System Operating and Line Operations leadership to ensure accuracy of outage management processes, data collection, and records retention.

- Provide analytics to support changes to distribution construction standards, electric service rules, and electrical operating procedures.

- Provide training and support to workgroups to implement UPPCO’s reliability improvement strategies.

- Communicate effectively with other UPPCO departments personnel to develop a common understanding of outage data management and reliability improvement strategies.

- Utilize AMI tools to confirm and update OMS data to maintain outage data accuracy.

- Assist UPPCO’s ability to integrate AMI meter load data into other engineering software, such as GIS and Cyme.

Additionally, this role will respond to emergency situations during normal and after-hours situations, and perform other duties as assigned

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology preferred.

- Coursework with power emphasis a bonus.

- 1 or more years' engineering work experience required.

- 3 or more years' electric utility experience related to electric utility distribution systems required.

- Strong attention to detail and ability to analyze significant amounts of data and find inconsistencies.

- Understanding of databases, database report writing, and code preferred.

- Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology from an accredited college or a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Technology from an accredited college or relevant experience. A degree with a power emphasis is preferred.

SOUND LIKE YOU?

Take the next step and apply online: https://www.uppco.com/inside-uppco/work-at-uppco/#career-portal