Planning Engineer I (Transmission Projects)

About the role

The Planning Engineer I (Transmission Projects) supports the development, documentation, and management of transmission project needs cases for regional transmission, substation, and network upgrade projects. This role serves as a key technical resource in advancing projects from initial need identification through regulatory approval and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, documentation, and maintenance of transmission project needs cases, including identifying reliability, asset condition, operational, load growth, generation interconnection, and regulatory drivers that support project justification.
• Carefully coordinate technical studies and engineering evaluations required to support project need determination, including review of power flow, contingency, stability, asset health, and operational analyses prepared by internal staff and external consultants.
• Manage and oversee engineering consultants performing planning studies, design support, needs assessments, routing support, and regulatory documentation.
• Review consultant work products for technical accuracy, completeness, schedule adherence, and compliance with project objectives.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison for project need development with internal stakeholders, neighboring utilities, MISO, regulatory agencies, cooperative members, and other project participants.
• Carefully coordinate transmission and substation outage sequencing with System Operations and project teams to support construction schedules while maintaining system reliability and minimizing customer impacts.
• Lead coordination efforts associated with relocation of facilities owned by railroads, telecommunications providers, pipeline companies, distribution cooperatives, municipalities, and other external utility owners affected by transmission projects.
• Develop and maintain project outage plans and construction sequencing strategies in collaboration with engineering, operations, construction, and external stakeholders.
• Lead stray voltage assessment, testing, mitigation coordination, and stakeholder communications associated with transmission line and substation projects.
• Carefully coordinate testing activities with consultants, member cooperatives, landowners, and regulatory agencies as required.
• Support project permitting and regulatory filings by providing technical information, engineering analyses, responses to agency data requests, and documentation supporting project need and alternatives evaluations.
• Participate in MISO planning processes, regional planning initiatives, and joint utility project activities to support project development and ensure consistency between regional planning assumptions and project needs.
• Carefully coordinate project-related engineering data, schedules, technical reports, and study results to ensure accurate project records and support internal and external reporting requirements.
• Provide technical support during project development, design review, construction planning, commissioning, and project closeout activities.
• Aid in identifying project risks, constructability concerns, operational constraints, and stakeholder impacts during project development and implementation.
• Prepare technical presentations, reports, and supporting materials for management, regulatory proceedings, member cooperatives, public meetings, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical (power option preferred) Engineering or directly related major.
• Experience in electric utility transmission planning, transmission project development, project engineering, system operations, or related utility engineering functions preferred.
• Strong understanding of electric transmission systems, substations, utility construction practices, and reliability requirements.
• Ability to evaluate engineering studies and translate technical findings into project need justifications.
• Strong project coordination, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with project scheduling software such as Oracle Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar scheduling tools preferred.
• Willing to work toward professional registration.

Qualifications

Additional Qualifications:

• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Experience with GIS and modeling software.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Skills

• Strong understanding of electric transmission systems, substations, utility construction practices, and reliability requirements.
• Ability to evaluate engineering studies and translate technical findings into project need justifications.
• Strong project coordination, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with project scheduling software such as Oracle Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar scheduling tools preferred.

Benefits

Details on benefits will be provided upon hire.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $77,400 - $116,100, which is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

Schedule

The schedule for this position will be discussed during the interview process.