Distribution Strategy Engineer II, Senior, or Lead

Black Hills Energy is a people-powered, purpose-driven team improving life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring individuals who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth.

About the role

This position supports short- and long-range planning studies; updates, validates, corrects, and develops distribution planning models; and provides engineering field support to electric operations teams. Responsibilities include design layouts for new load additions, reviewing power quality concerns, and analyzing Distributed Energy Resources (DER) interconnections.

Responsibilities

• Support reliability, operations, and future planning of electric distribution systems (less than 25 kV).
• Investigate and analyze system reliability performance data to report findings to the organization.
• Evaluate, analyze, coordinate, and implement short- and long-term planning for reliability, capacity expansion, Smart Grid, and renewable applications on the distribution system.
• Develop reports and present findings to leadership with corrective action plans for identified deficiencies.
• Provide operational support for voltage issues, transformer overloads (including root-cause investigations), outage coordination, and safety procedures.
• Deliver engineering responses to Operations support questions with clear reasoning.
• Perform circuit analysis reviews for loading, phase balancing, voltage concerns, reactive power, fault current, protection coordination, and contingency planning using Synergi Electric modeling software.
• Coordinate line protection devices, including reclosers, line fuses, and interrupter switches, and work with the System Protection Engineer to recommend distribution feeder breaker settings.
• Support staff with Distributed Energy Resources (DER) analyses and proposals.
• Apply standard engineering practices and techniques using prescribed methods.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, NERC, and FERC regulations.
• Provide after-hours support to other departments during outages and emergencies as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Level II: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Minimum 1 year of experience in electrical distribution planning and/or electrical operations support, including familiarity with distribution planning software (Synergi Electric, CYME, Windmil, ASPEN).
• Senior: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Minimum 4 years of experience in electrical distribution planning and/or electrical operations support, including experience with distribution planning software (Synergi Electric, CYME, Windmil, ASPEN).
• Lead: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Minimum 7 years of experience in electrical distribution planning and/or electrical operations support, including at least 3 years of experience with distribution planning software (Synergi Electric, CYME, Windmil, ASPEN).

Skills

• Good understanding of distribution planning software (Synergi Electric, CYME, Windmil, ASPEN) and ability to perform various analysis studies.
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize workflow, establish schedules, and monitor accomplishments with minimal managerial input.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Working knowledge of utility electrical system design philosophy, equipment, electrical circuits, drawings, and engineering analysis.
• Ability to read and understand electrical one-lines, control drawings, schematics, and apply fundamental electrical engineering concepts.
• Proficiency in maintaining and automating systems as technology evolves.
• Project management skills to prioritize and complete multiple tasks accurately and on time.
• Ability to learn and apply technical and regulatory compliance standards.
• Familiarity with the National Electrical Safety Code and electric utility industry safety work practices.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Pay

This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.

• Level II: $86,700 – $130,050
• Senior: $97,150 – $160,150
• Lead: $105,750 – $174,450

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonuses
• 401(k) with 6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays and parental leave
• Company-paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term)
• Critical illness, accident, and group hospital insurance
• Pet insurance
• Employee assistance program and well-being benefits
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas; all applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

About our Company

We are a customer-focused, growth-oriented, and safety-driven utility company dedicated to improving life through energy. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we employ over 3,000 people and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).