Commissioning and Substation Services Engineer

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better, and communities stronger. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

This position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., may be filled at a level within the same job family based on the candidate’s skills, work history, experience, and qualifications. Locations for this role include Morristown, Hopatcong, East Hanover, and Philipsburg, NJ.

About the Role

This position provides field engineering services and technical support for the maintenance, construction, testing, and commissioning of substation equipment up to and including 500kV. Equipment includes power transformers, circuit breakers, CCVT's, Cap Banks, SVC's, associated relay protection and control equipment, and SCADA systems. The role involves significant fieldwork (90% or more) at various company and customer substation facilities and service centers, including occasional technical support for regional substation activities across operating companies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe workplace for coworkers and the community by understanding potential hazards, industry regulations, and company practices.
• Commission new transmission substation equipment prior to release to transmission operations.
• Develop check-out guides, review and approve test results and isolation plans, and create energization plans to minimize system risk.
• Provide limited field design services to correct minor design problems during substation capital projects.
• Offer onsite technical support to regional substation services employees during preventive and corrective maintenance activities.
• Apply engineering skills and operational knowledge to identify and resolve technical problems during installation, testing, and the design life of substation equipment, including challenging and validating design approaches.
• Assist in developing or modifying maintenance practices to address new technologies, equipment types, improved test methods, and regulatory changes.
• Audit preventive and corrective maintenance paperwork and test results for technical adequacy and regulatory completeness.
• Provide emergency technical support following substation equipment failures, including developing field modifications and commissioning mobile substations.
• Support emergency plans through assigned storm duties, including hazard response.
• Work independently and collaboratively with regional and plant personnel, other departments, and outside vendors.
• Communicate across multi-disciplined teams, including electrical contractors, customers, FirstEnergy regional switchmen/technicians, transmission operations, design engineering, planning/protection, and project management.
• Assist in performing Apparent Cause and Root Cause analyses, documenting findings through technical reports and presentations.
• Educate others on technical subjects and improve technical programs and process effectiveness.
• Support the development of corporate programs and policies and assist in organizational change initiatives.
• Assist senior technical staff in developing solutions to complex technical assignments.
• Support FE Utilities Operations and Maintenance staff in reaching goals and meeting deadlines.
• Produce results with a direct, positive impact on the company by anticipating customer needs and delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Travel throughout the FirstEnergy system, including occasional overnight stays.

An employee hired at the Engineer IV level will perform all the above responsibilities with greater proficiency and independence, along with additional related duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET-accredited institution. Acceptable alternatives:
  • Professional Engineer’s (PE) License.
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET-accredited institution.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a technical field (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET-accredited Bachelor’s program.
  Civil Engineering is preferred.
• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of engineering experience (Engineer III level) or 5 years with a BS in Engineering (Engineer IV level), or 7 years with a BS in Engineering Technology.
• Strong consideration for candidates with experience in the design, maintenance, or testing of substation equipment, and familiarity with microprocessor-based protection and control equipment.
• Experience with SEL products and software, Enoserve RTS, and Doble testing is a plus.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to FirstEnergy's Safety Policies and the Accident Prevention Handbook.
• Understanding of FirstEnergy's Manual of Operations.
• Ability to participate in after-hours callouts (evenings, weekends, holidays) for onsite technical and operational support during system emergencies.
• Ability to lead by example and manage multiple projects under pressure, including handling unexpected developments, scope changes, budget constraints, and unforeseen field problems.
• Demonstrated questioning attitude to continue learning, produce results, and strengthen relationships.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to train and mentor technicians and other technical staff.
• Developed analytical and technical abilities to build effective working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Capability to drive projects to completion by working in the field with regional substation teams.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Must live within a 45-minute commute of the assigned work location.

Pay

The estimated pay range for this role is $85,680 - $174,960, reflecting a 20% cost-of-living differential for locations in New Jersey. Actual base salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors.

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation.
• Company-sponsored pension plan.
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution.
• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs.
• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement.