Area Transmission Planner (Engineer)

PacifiCorp; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 89,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

PacifiCorp is seeking a Transmission Planning Engineer to advance planning, design, and analysis of the electric transmission network in the Portland area. You will lead complex studies, develop system models, and ensure reliability per NERC/WECC standards.

Ideal candidates bring a BS in Electrical Engineering with 2+ years in transmission planning and strong collaboration skills. Senior roles expect 5+ years and leadership capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of two or more years of directly related experience in transmission modeling, transmission system engineering and/or transmission system planning.
• Project management and leadership skills including the ability to work as a team member, to maintain project timelines, budgets, and deliver on commitments.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations, the National Electric Codes, and NERC and WECC reliability standards.
• Ability to perform effectively in high‑pressure situations while maintaining focus and calm.
• Demonstrated communication (written, verbal and presentation) and interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to understand requirements, present alternatives, and recommendations.
• Proficient with the use of personal computers including automated tools and software applications including power flow and dynamic analysis, data base management (PI), Visio, Microsoft Office Suite including Access, and use of EMS or SCADA.
• Preferred: Professional Engineer (PE) certification; Power Option (Power System Analysis); Advanced Degree.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, modify, and evaluate transmission systems, processes, or facilities to support Company objectives, utilizing engineering methods to demonstrate compliance with NERC/WECC reliability standards.
• Develop complex engineering studies, plans, specifications, calculations, evaluations, design documents, and performance assessments.
• Determine methods and techniques for obtaining results.
• Recommend alternative engineering solutions to management to meet business needs.
• Deliver on commitments and manage outside engineering services to accomplish the assigned work.
• Maintain project timeliness and budgets.
• Participate in the development of new WECC/NERC standards to influence the successful implementation of clear/concise standards that support improved reliability for the electric system.
• Develop highly complex engineering studies, plans, specifications, calculations, evaluations, design documents, and performance assessments to the main grid.
• Act as a lead expert in the work group; train and mentor associate and career level planners, engineers, technicians and drafters.
• Coordinate with neighboring utilities on planning studies for interconnected transmission and generation facilities.
• Prepare the annual screening studies for NERC compliance.
• Perform main grid power flow stability studies.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication skills

Teamwork

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) certification

Advanced degree

Tools

EMS or SCADA

Power flow analysis

Dynamic analysis

PI (data base management)

Visio

Microsoft Office (Access)

Job description

Power Your Greatness

PacifiCorp is seeking customer‑centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability, inclusion and belonging.

location: PORTLAND, OR, US, 97232

Company: PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp is seeking customer‑centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability, inclusion and belonging.

General Purpose

Join a team that is driving the reliability, resiliency, and growth of the electric transmission system that powers our communities. In this role, you will play a key part in planning and delivering critical transmission projects that ensure the grid continues to meet evolving customer needs safely, efficiently, and reliably.

You will apply engineering principles and analytical methods to evaluate system performance, identify solutions, and demonstrate compliance with NERC and WECC reliability standards. Your work will directly influence the future of the transmission network and help support the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

As a Transmission Planning (Engineer), you will develop and lead a variety of technical studies, engineering analyses, system models, design documents, specifications, and performance assessments that support the planning, design, licensing, construction, operation, and maintenance of transmission facilities and systems. You'll collaborate with professionals across the organization to solve complex challenges, deliver solutions, and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

If you are energized by solving technical challenges, influencing major infrastructure investments, and contributing to the future of the power industry, this is an opportunity to build a meaningful and rewarding career!

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, modify, and evaluate transmission systems, processes, or facilities to support Company objectives, utilizing engineering methods to demonstrate compliance with NERC/WECC reliability standards.
• Develop complex engineering studies, plans, specifications, calculations, evaluations, design documents, and performance assessments.
• Determine methods and techniques for obtaining results.
• Recommend alternative engineering solutions to management to meet business needs.
• Deliver on commitments and manage outside engineering services to accomplish the assigned work.
• Maintain project timeliness and budgets.
• Participate in the development of new WECC/NERC standards to influence the successful implementation of clear/concise standards that support improved reliability for the electric system.

Additional Responsibilities At The Senior Level

• Develop highly complex engineering studies, plans, specifications, calculations, evaluations, design documents, and performance assessments to the main grid.
• Act as a lead expert in the work group; train and mentor associate and career level planners, engineers, technicians and drafters.
• Recommend alternative engineering solutions to management to meet business needs.
• Deliver on commitments and manage outside engineering services to accomplish the assigned work.
• Coordinate with neighboring utilities on planning studies for interconnected transmission and generation facilities.
• Prepare the annual screening studies for NERC compliance.
• Perform main grid power flow stability studies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• A minimum of two or more years of directly related experience in transmission modeling, transmission system engineering and/or transmission system planning.
• Project management and leadership skills including the ability to work as a team member, to maintain project timelines, budgets, and deliver on commitments.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations, the National Electric Codes, and NERC and WECC reliability standards.
• Ability to perform effectively in high‑pressure situations while maintaining focus and calm.
• Demonstrated communication (written, verbal and presentation) and interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to understand requirements, present alternatives, and recommendations.
• Proficient with the use of personal computers including automated tools and software applications including power flow and dynamic analysis, data base management (PI), Visio, Microsoft Office Suite including Access, and use of EMS or SCADA.

Additional Requirements At The Senior Level

• A minimum of five or more years of directly related experience in transmission modeling, transmission system engineering and/or transmission system planning.

Preferences

• Professional Engineer (PE) certification
• Power Option (particularly Power System Analysis)
• Advanced Degree

Additional Information

Schedule: Full Time, 100% onsite

Hiring Range: $88,800 - $140,250

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary performance incentive bonus of up to 12‑15%.

Position will be filled at the level that commensurates with the successful candidate's applicable skills and experience.

At PacifiCorp, we understand that living a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about your physical health — your mental, financial, and social wellbeing also play an important role. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to help you live a more balanced lifestyle.

Our Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k with match fixed contributions, including a Roth and saving option. For union employees, matching contributions vary by union. For nonunion, PacifiCorp makes a fixed contribution equal to 4% of your eligible pay each year for new hires. In addition, PacifiCorp matches 100% of the first 6% you contribute.
• Life insurance
• Additional voluntary benefits, including pet insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Mass Transit Pass for employees in our Portland and Salt Lake City Offices.

Work Life Balance

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) - Time off varies by employee type (Union or Non-Union)
• Paid short‑term disability leave and long‑term disability insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance Program supporting mental and emotional wellbeing

For more information, please visit: https://careers.pacificorp.com/content/New-Benefits-Page/?locale=en_US

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

PacifiCorp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.

Unless otherwise required by law, all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening including for marijuana. While marijuana is legal in several states, including Oregon, a positive test for positions in Oregon may disqualify a candidate. The company complies with the laws of Washington and California and only obtains and considers positive tests for marijuana in safety‑sensitive positions or those covered by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.