Transmission Project Engineer

About the role

As an Energy Transmission Project Engineer at KCI, you will support and coordinate the successful execution of electric transmission projects from planning and design through construction. Working closely with the Project Manager and multidisciplinary teams, you will provide technical leadership, coordinate engineering activities and deliverables, monitor scope, schedule, budget, and project risks, and ensure compliance with applicable codes, utility requirements, client standards, and KCI quality procedures for successful project execution.

Projects may include new transmission facilities, line rebuilds, capacity upgrades, and infrastructure modernization required to accommodate load growth, generation interconnections, aging assets, and evolving reliability and resiliency needs.

Responsibilities

• Understand transmission-system drivers that influence project development, including accelerated load growth, large-load and data-center development, new and retiring generation, transmission congestion, transfer-capacity limitations, aging infrastructure, and regional reliability and resiliency requirements.
• Translate transmission-planning requirements into practical engineering solutions for new lines, rebuilds, uprating, reconductoring, and other capacity or reliability improvements, considering advanced conductors, grid-enhancing technologies, constructability, permitting constraints, phasing, and lifecycle cost.
• Apply working knowledge of overhead and underground electric transmission-line design, including route development, structure spotting, conductor selection, grounding, clearances, and right-of-way requirements.
• Use transmission design and analysis software such as PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, PLS-TOWER, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and applicable GIS platforms.
• Perform or review line-loading, sag-tension, structural, clearance, and foundation analyses under normal, extreme-weather, and construction loading conditions.
• Apply a strong understanding of applicable codes and standards, including the NESC, ASCE standards, OSHA requirements, utility criteria, and federal, state, and local permitting requirements.
• Interpret and coordinate survey, geotechnical, environmental, civil, structural, electrical, and right-of-way information affecting transmission design.
• Prepare and review engineering calculations, design criteria, plan and profile drawings, structure schedules, material specifications, construction packages, and technical reports.
• Evaluate transmission routing alternatives, constructability, access requirements, environmental constraints, outage considerations, and lifecycle costs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of transmission-line materials and equipment, including conductors, shield wires or OPGW, insulators, hardware, poles, towers, foundations, and grounding systems.
• Develop engineering quantities, cost estimates, design schedules, technical scopes, and assumptions appropriate to the project phase.
• Exercise strong technical review and quality-control skills, identifying design conflicts, managing interdisciplinary interfaces, resolving technical comments, and documenting engineering decisions.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and direct projects or engineering programs.
• Design and prepare deliverables for multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring successful completion within defined timelines and budgets.
• Supervise subordinate supervisors or team leaders and conduct research in problem areas of scope and complexity.
• Serve as a staff specialist, applying advanced theories and concepts, and assist in proposals, negotiations, and presentations.
• Collaborate with internal departments for client relationship development, manage work routines, and assign job activities.
• Attend project team meetings, provide task performance reports, and coordinate with other practices and sub-consultants.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance, and serve as task manager of select projects.
• Mentor and train staff, comply with all KCI policies and procedures, and ensure projects comply with ISO standards.
• Conduct employee performance appraisals, develop professional relationships through industry associations, and assist in attracting talent to KCI.
• Complete all tasks on time and within budget while fully meeting project scope, and work with the Project Manager to actively manage project budgets.
• Achieve or exceed individual utilization targets.
• Conduct site visits, gather data, prepare design calculations, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Review and approve shop drawings, compare field data to base plans, and prepare preliminary concept designs.
• Read and interpret technical documents.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (AEC Industry).
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring engineering projects.
• Proven experience in project management roles, with a track record of successful project delivery.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to construction management, quality assurance, and safety protocols.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
• Ability to maintain required certifications.
• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred qualifications include a Master’s Degree and relevant utility, transmission-design, or PLS-CADD training credentials.

Benefits

KCI offers a competitive compensation package, family-friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring, and resources you need to advance in your career.