Senior Electrical Engineer

Position Summary

The Senior Protection Engineer provides active hands-on engineering support for design, specification, programming, and commissioning of protection relays for generators, transformers, transmission lines, and distribution equipment. Additionally, the Senior Protection Engineer provides engineering support for the plant electrical power distribution, and NERC compliance for Ormat Electricity Segment Power Plants.

Essential Functions

- Specifies, selects, and applies protective relaying equipment, determines device settings, and develops protection/control philosophies.

- Perform relay coordination analysis for new and existing facilities and determine appropriate protection settings.

- Applies technical expertise and knowledge in developing solutions for complex system protection problems.

- Prepare test plans for protective relays and other facility elements.

- Ensure compliance with applicable NERC standards by preparing test plans, performing calculations, developing protection settings, performing testing, analyzing trip events, etc.

- Troubleshoot plant electrical power and control systems.

- Analyze and identify causes of equipment failure.

- Develop and evaluate cost effective solutions for equipment issues and operational longevity.

- Prepare specifications and drawings, provide installation and maintenance support of electrical systems.

- Assists management in identifying and improving plant electrical and controls equipment, process control methodology, and data tracking records.

- Strictly adhere to and enforce safety procedures as required by ORMAT, CAPP, and OSHA.

- Must possess at any time a valid driver's license with a driving record acceptable to Ormat auto insurance carrier.

- Must be able to travel (approximately 25% of working time) to Power Plant locations, including rural areas to work on projects.

Other Responsibilities

- Occasional to frequent travel to plants in the United States and International.

- Other duties and projects as assigned by management.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in power systemsor a BS degree in a related engineering field plus relevant experience.

- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with Five (5) years of experience (or eight (8) years without a PE license) in power generation, transmission, and/or distribution with hands-on experience in system protection.

- Must have a high degree of initiative, ability to work with minimal or no supervision and a high level of confidentiality.

- Must be able to provide coaching and/or mentoring to technicians and/or junior engineers.

- Must have high level knowledge of system protection (such as symmetrical components, etc.).

- Proficient using electrical system modeling software (ETAP preferred).

- Working knowledge of NERC Standards as applicable to Generator Owners and Generator Operators.

- Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

- Must be able to read and create electrical drawings, specifications, and other technical documentation.

- Extensive experience troubleshooting electrical and control systems.

- Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

- Must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills

- Must be able to respond calmly and think clearly in emergency situations

- Must have the ability to read, write and speak English at a level that will permit the employee to understand and communicate information in a manner that will enable the employee to safely and efficiently perform the job duties.

Physical Requirements

- Must be able to work in plant operating areas including exposure to noise, vibrations, heat and cold.

- Must be able to wear any required protective equipment, as required by safety procedures and regulations.

- Job requires sitting and/or standing for long periods of time with moderate bending, stooping, and kneeling.

- The ability to work at a computer and computer monitor and use repetitive motion for long periods of time.

- The ability to safely operate 4WD light vehicles on highways and dirt roads.