Commissioning & Maintenance Engineer

FirstEnergy; Marion (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy is seeking a field engineer to deliver maintenance, testing and commissioning of substation equipment up to 500 kV across Marion and nearby OH locations. The role is predominantly field-based, with 90%+ of work performed outside of an office environment at substations and service centers.

Responsibilities include developing energization plans, approving test results, providing onsite design assistance, and supporting regional substation activities.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree required; PE license or FE certificate is a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years engineering experience; strong substation knowledge preferred.
• Experience with testing, protection and control equipment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safe workplace and regulatory compliance during field work.
• Commission field testing and energization of substation equipment.
• Develop check-out guides and isolation plans; review test results.
• Provide onsite design support and modify maintenance practices as needed.
• Support regional substation activities and emergency technical services.
• Travel to FirstEnergy sites across the system; collaborate with multiple teams.

Skills

Electrical engineering knowledge

Substation field experience

Field testing and commissioning

Problem solving

Communication skills

Driving and travel

Regulatory compliance awareness

Education

ABET-accredited BSEE/BSCE/BSME

FE certificate preferred

PE license

Tools

SEL products

Enoserve RTS

Doble testing

Job description

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

This position can be in the following office locations: Marion OH, Springfield OH.

This position is to provide field engineering services and technical support for the maintenance, construction, testing and commissioning of substation equipment up to and including 500kV. Equipment includes power transformers, circuit breakers, CCVT's, Cap Banks, SVC's, associated relay protection and control equipment, and SCADA systems. Maintenance and commissioning activities can be of either new or modifications to existing substations. This position includes a significant amount of time (90% or more) working outside of an office environment at various company and customer substation facilities and service centers. In addition to maintenance and commissioning activities, there may be occasional technical support for regional substation activities including those in other operating companies.

Responsibilities Include:

• Maintaining a safe workplace for coworkers and the community based upon developing knowledge of potential hazards, industry regulations/requirements and company practices.
• Commissioning new transmission substation equipment prior to it being released to transmission operations.
• Developing check-out guides, review and approving test results and isolation plans, and developing energization plans to minimize system risk.
• Providing limited field design services to correct minor design problems encountered during the implementation of substation capital projects.
• Providing onsite technical support to regional substation services employees during preventive and corrective maintenance activities
• Applying engineering skills and operational knowledge in the identification and resolution of technical problems while in the field during the installation phase, testing phase, and during the design life of the substation equipment. This includes challenging and validating design approaches when necessary.
• Assisting in the development of new or in the modification of existing maintenance practices to address changing technology, new equipment types, improved test and diagnostic methods, regulatory changes, etc.
• Auditing preventive and corrective maintenance paperwork and test results to verify technical adequacy and regulatory completeness.
• Providing emergency technical support following substation equipment failures to support customer restoration and system reinforcement. This includes developing field modifications and commissioning the installation of mobile substations.
• Supporting the emergency plan through participation in assigned storm duties including hazard responding.
• Ability to work both independently and in unison with others including regional and plant personnel as well as other departments/sections and outside vendors.
• Communicating across multi-disciplined teams to include electrical contractors, customers, FirstEnergy regional switchmen/technicians, transmission operations, design engineering, planning/protection and project management to ensure successful and timely project completion.
• Assisting in performing Apparent Cause and Root Cause analyses, including formally documenting findings through the preparation of technical reports and presentations.
• Assisting in the education of others on technical subject matters and in the improvement of technical programs and process effectiveness.
• Maintaining a safe workplace for coworkers and the community based upon a developing knowledge of potential hazards, industry regulations/requirements and company practices.
• Supporting the development of corporate programs and policies; assist others tasked with leading organizational change.
• Assisting senior technical staff in developing solutions to complex technical assignments.
• Supporting FE Utilities Operations and Maintenance staffs in reaching goals and meeting deadlines.
• Producing results that have a direct, positive impact on the Company.
• Consistently anticipating customer needs and deliver high quality results.
• Willingness to travel throughout the FirstEnergy system including occasional overnight stays when necessary.

An employee hired at the IV level will be expected to perform all of the above responsibilities with more proficiency, and in a more independent manner. Further, the Engineer IV level employee will be assigned additional responsibilities related to those listed above.

Qualifications at the Engineer II Level include:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 (two) years of Engineering experience is required.
• A working knowledge of electrical engineering, transmission substation equipment, transmission system protection and transmission system operations are desired.
• Strong consideration will be given to those with previous experience in the design, maintenance or testing of substation equipment. Also, familiarity with the understanding, application, and communication of microprocessor based protection and control equipment is a plus.

Qualifications at the Engineer Ill level include:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 (three) years of Engineering experience is required.
• Strong consideration will be given to those with previous experience in the design, maintenance or testing of substation equipment. Also, familiarity with the understanding, application, and communication of microprocessor based protection and control equipment is a plus.
• Experience with SEL products and software, Enoserve RTS and Doble testing
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to FirstEnergy's Safety Policies and the Accident Prevention Handbook
• Understanding of FirstEnergy's Manual of Operations
• Ability to participate in afterhours (e.g. evening, weekend and holidays) callouts to provide onsite technical and operational guidance in support of system emergencies
• Ability to lead by example
• Must be able to manage and prioritize 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
• Demonstrate a questioning attitude to continue to learn, produce results, and strengthen existing relationships
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• A willingness to train and mentor technicians and other members of the technical engineering
• staff
• Developed analytical and technical abilities
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with employees at all levels of FirstEnergy
• Corp
• Must be capable of driving projects and tasks to completion by working in the field with the regional substation physical workforce
• Deliver quality, accurate work within established deadlines
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Must live within a 45-minute commute of assigned work location

Qualifications at the Engineer IV level include all of the above plus:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 (five) years of Engineering experience is required with a BS in Engineering or minimum of 7 (seven) years of Engineering experience is required with a BS in Engineering Technology.