Transmission Planning Engineer II, III, or Senior

The position may be filled at an Engineer I, II, III, or Senior Engineer level based on the applicant's education and experience.

About the Role

Under the general supervision of the Manager, Transmission & Distribution Planning, the Transmission Planning Engineer develops long-range transmission plans in compliance with NERC Standards, provides system operating support, and performs complex system studies including power flow, transient stability, short-circuit, contingency analysis, generation dispatch, and others. These studies determine the feasibility of interconnections, planned transmission upgrades, generation additions, and facilities necessary to accommodate Southwest Power Pool (SPP) transmission service requests, generation interconnection requests, and other needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct system planning studies, including power flow and short-circuit studies, using seasonal models from the present day extending many years into the future. Assess system conditions under both normal and contingency scenarios to identify potential System Operating Limits (SOL) violations and develop corrective action plans or operating procedures to ensure compliance with NERC standards.
• Perform real-time studies as required to maintain SOL compliance with NERC standards at the request of operations personnel.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, planning guidelines, and related reports while applying knowledge of the technical environment and governing regulations, including NERC, SPP, and FERC requirements.
• Develop company work plans (long-range and construction) to ensure reliable power supply, coordinating with member systems to interpret service requests, monitor facility needs, and align planned upgrades with WFEC policies, processes, and regional reliability requirements.
• Provide project justifications for RUS submittals, incorporating detailed cost tracking, historical project data, and supporting documentation to ensure alignment with WFEC policies.
• Actively participate in SPP advisory groups, task forces, and working groups, striving to obtain and maintain voting-member status where appropriate. Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders to support agreements, policy alignment, and timely responses to member cooperatives and regional transmission planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support planning activities and continuously improve workflows, processes, and procedures associated with transmission planning, interconnection, and load connection requests.
• Provide technical and policy-related support to WFEC staff and member cooperatives, interpreting complex requests, addressing inquiries through presentations and discussions, and delivering clear guidance on planning, policies, processes, and agreements.
• Create and maintain system data used by PSS/E, ASPEN, One-Liner, and other software tools for system studies. Update the SPP modeling database as changes occur in the WFEC system.
• Engage in all aspects of SPP regional transmission planning, including ITP, CPP, transmission assessments, and related stakeholder initiatives.
• Respond to customer and member cooperative requests regarding load growth and system impacts, proactively monitoring facility needs and supporting planning efforts.
• Support budget estimates for planned projects by tracking project-related expenses, monitoring budget status, and ensuring expenditures align with approved budgets, WFEC financial policies, and project requirements.
• Stay informed of and evaluate emerging technologies, including smart grid solutions, Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), renewable energy resources, and energy storage systems, supporting their integration into transmission planning activities where appropriate.
• Support contract and agreement processes by assisting in the development, analysis, and execution of agreements (e.g., GIAs, third-party MOUs, and DPAs) and coordinating with stakeholders to support transmission planning and operations.

Competencies

• Analysis/Design: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures; generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; applies design principles; demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Professional Knowledge: Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into applications; uses feedback to modify recommendations; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Oral and Written Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; reads and interprets written information.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; builds morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.
• Project Management: Develops project plans; coordinates projects effectively; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; deals with frequent change, delays, or unexpected outcomes.
• Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; meets commitments to customers.
• Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost-saving measures; conserves organizational resources.

Requirements

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and differential equations. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Qualifications

• Transmission Planning Engineer I: Entry-level electrical engineer who assists higher classifications or more experienced engineers in work pertaining to long-range transmission plans, system studies, and transmission system planning. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Transmission Planning Engineer II: Develops long-range transmission plans and serves as point of contact for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of qualifying engineering experience in an electric utility environment.
• Transmission Planning Engineer III: Develops long-range transmission plans and serves as point of contact for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and five (5) years of qualifying experience, of which three (3) years must be engineering experience in an electrical utility environment.
• Senior Transmission Planning Engineer: Top technical engineering position without supervisory responsibility. Provides professional engineering support and serves as subject matter expert for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field, certification as a Professional Engineer (P.E.), and eight (8) years of professional engineering experience, of which three (3) years must be engineering experience in an electric utility environment.

Pay

• Transmission Planning Engineer I: $92,401 - $143,316
• Transmission Planning Engineer II: $101,915 - $159,741
• Transmission Planning Engineer III: $111,863 - $177,190
• Senior Transmission Planning Engineer: $122,235 - $195,672