Substation Design Engineer

About the role

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU]. The position can be located in Greensburg, PA or Reading, PA.

Responsibilities

• Create engineering designs and work scopes for substation projects and confirm documentation and support is available to necessary personnel.
• Ensure designs support a safe environment for transmission lines and substations personnel, contractors, and the general public.
• Prepare bills-of-material and specifications to procure needed equipment and materials for a substation project.
• Prepare and file applications and supporting documentation for engineering permits when necessary.
• Review NESC clearance requirements and ensure maintenance personnel and the public safety are protected.
• Aid Real Estate in the acquisition of Substation property by coordinating the preparation of sketches, maps, exhibits, and easement plans.
• Direct technical personnel to gather and record data for substation design projects.
• Work with outside engineering firms, vendors, equipment manufacturers, and consultants.
• Provide engineering support to employees to assist in their learning of standards, procedures, designs, and associated issues.
• Analyze engineering issues, structures, equipment, etc., and recommend appropriate solutions and alternate design options.
• Prepare estimates for proposed projects.
• Review manufacturer drawings for compliance with specifications.
• Conduct design reviews, plant audits, and test witnessing at manufacturer’s facilities as necessary.
• Evaluate equipment ratings and requirements, and project schedules to facilitate the accurate ordering of equipment to support project in-service dates.
• Manage equipment orders for Substation projects from the initial request for equipment through delivery (technical details, bid evaluation, schedule, drawing review, design review, action items testing, and delivery).
• Support communication across business units regarding project needs.
• Convene internal project schedule compliance review meetings with necessary parties to assure deliverables support project schedule and are within the project budget.
• Research and explore new technologies that will effectively enable work processes to be automated, increasing efficiencies while decreasing the risk of human error.
• Ensure standards and equipment specifications are up to date and accurate, reviewing against industry standards and best practices.
• Participate in industry meetings to confirm FirstEnergy has a voice in direction of industry (i.e. IEEE, EPRI, etc.).
• Ability to obtain Engineer in Training and Professional Engineering license is preferred. Future advancement likely linked to ability to stamp and seal engineering design drawings as a Professional Engineer, when necessary.
• Supporting and sustaining FirstEnergy as a high performing organization by contributing to excellent organizational performance and values of FirstEnergy through responsible effective work performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License preferred. Minimum of 2 (two) years of Engineering experience is required. A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate Preferred.
• Working knowledge of applicable computer software necessary to fulfill job duties including but not limited to Microsoft Office and AutoCAD. Knowledge of FileNet, SAP, and Cascade a plus but not a requirement.
• Valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.
• Must embrace a safety culture and maintain a safe work environment for co-workers and the public.
• Must be able to manage “multiple projects simultaneously” and be able to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines, unexpected developments, changes in project scope, budget constraints, unforeseen field problems and demands on time for work assignments outside of the normal duties.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and develop and maintain relationships across FE, with outside firms and manufacturers that further facilitate the cooperation needed to complete assigned tasks and that will inspire others to achieve, or exceed, goals.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in teams to coordinate designs with other FirstEnergy areas of responsibility including Siting and Permitting, Project Management, Maintenance, Forestry, Real Estate and Construction, as well as the Regional operating companies.
• Must be able to make practical decisions without undue delay and based on the best information available at the time that the decision must be made.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with good verbal skills and writing skills, providing comprehensive project status reports, clear and concise correspondence, and accurate information.
• Must possess strong organizational, computer, and problem solving skills.
• Must be self-directed and not dependent on detailed instruction from others.
• Ability to support numerous locations, must be willing to travel throughout the service area and to manufacturer locations, and to work extra and irregular hours.