Engineer III - Transmission Planning

About the role

Puget Sound Energy is seeking an Engineer III - Transmission Planning to join our dynamic team. The position involves supporting Transmission Strategy and Planning functions, including transmission planning, studies, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform transmission system impact studies and develop network upgrades to support system reliability and performance.
• Review customer applications for completeness and alignment with PSE's technical requirements.
• Attend customer scoping meetings as needed.
• Develop transmission system models considering load and resource forecasts over a 10-year planning horizon.
• Complete complex power system modeling, simulation, and analysis using advanced tools like PowerWorld.
• Analyze generation interconnection and transmission service requests, as well as PSE and regional transmission projects and operations.
• Interpret codes, standards, and guidelines for application to system needs and network upgrade projects.
• Document study results for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support negotiations of complex inter-utility agreements and ensure compliance with PSE's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT).
• Facilitate public meetings related to PSE's transmission plans.
• Complete economic studies as requested.
• Calculate and document Available Transmission Capacity in compliance with active transmission contracts and NAESB Business Practices.
• Support reporting of basecase information, load and resource forecasts, and other information to WECC, NERC, and FERC.
• Participate in external committees such as those at NERC or WECC.
• Represent PSE at appropriate regional transmission planning forums.
• Ensure compliance with NERC and WECC Reliability Standards and Criteria applicable to the Transmission Planner and/or Planning Coordinator.
• Ensure compliance with applicable FERC regulatory requirements as outlined in PSE’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT).
• Coordinate with internal teams and participate in cross-departmental workgroups.
• Provide technical support for the department and Company, providing advanced skills and knowledge to solve technical issues.
• Provide a detailed design review of internal or external technical documents.
• Identify potential areas of weakness with assigned work and initiate corrective action.
• Document and share work with others to strengthen the depth and breadth of skills within PSE’s engineering workforce.
• Maintain knowledge of industry developments and best practices and apply them to PSE's business objectives.
• Support emergency response work as requested, including immediate and extended restoration efforts driven by weather and other system failures.
• May support the work of other engineers, engineering assistants, field technicians, and others who assist on specific projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree or Professional Engineering (PE) license in electrical, mechanical, civil, or other appropriate engineering field. A PE license may qualify in lieu of a degree.
• Substantial experience in planning, design, specification preparation, technical field work, project cost estimating, and scheduling (typically achieved after five (5) or more years practice as a degreed engineer).
• Demonstrated organization, documentation, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in the utility industry.
• Possession of a Professional Engineering license.
• Knowledge of engineering economics and utility accounting practices.
• Experience working on complex engineering projects.