Electrical Engineer.

Bonneville Power Administration; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration seeks an electrical engineer to advance high‑voltage grid design, testing, and operations across the Pacific Northwest. You will lead analysis, participate in modernization projects, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to sustain reliable energy delivery.

You will design, simulate, and optimize substations and transmission concepts, mentor engineers, and ensure adherence to safety and regulatory requirements in a dynamic federal environment.

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required.
• Participation in the e-Verify program.
• Males must be registered with Selective Service.

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate and implement high‑voltage power systems and substations.
• Collaborate to test and field‑test breakthrough energy technologies.
• Perform advanced grid simulations and stability modeling for regional networks.
• Steer transmission expansion and modernization studies.
• Design and maintain mission‑critical 24/7 grid control and automation systems.
• Lead projects and mentor engineering teams from concept to commissioning.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Power systems

Job description

Duties

Power the Future of Clean Energy: Lead Critical Grid Innovation Across the Pacific Northwest

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), our mission is vital: we deliver clean, reliable, and carbon‑free hydroelectric energy across the Pacific Northwest, driving regional economies and powering millions of lives. As an Electrical Engineer at BPA, you will step directly into the vanguard of this mission. Operating within our Power or Transmission Services organizations, you won't just maintain existing infrastructure—you will solve complex engineering puzzles, test emerging technologies, and shape the resilience and capacity of one of the nation's most robust high‑voltage energy networks.

If You Are Driven To Make a Tangible, Lasting Impact On The Future Of Energy, Explore The Six Key Responsibilities Where Your Expertise Will Make a Difference:

• Designing Next-Generation High-Voltage Power Systems
  

  Design, evaluate, and implement state‑of‑the‑art electrical systems and high‑voltage substation equipment built to exacting standards. You will develop innovative electrical layouts, resolve intricate mechanical and electrical design trade‑offs, and engineer custom solutions for high‑demand, high‑capacity energy distribution networks where conventional playbooks don’t apply.

  
  


• Pioneering & Testing Breakthrough Energy Technologies
  

  Collaborate directly with leading industry equipment manufacturers, research labs, and technical specialists to evaluate and field‑test experimental technologies. You will assess first‑of‑their‑kind hardware, define technical specifications, and lead testing and energisation efforts to safely integrate game‑changing innovations into the commercial power grid.

  
  


• Conducting Advanced Regional Grid Simulations & Stability Modeling
  

  Leverage advanced computational modeling tools to digitally simulate power flow, voltage stability, and transient dynamics across the interconnected regional grid. Your analytical findings and operational models will establish real‑time operating limits, prevent outages, and ensure continuous electrical reliability during severe weather and unexpected system disruptions.

  
  


• Directing Strategic Transmission Expansion & Modernisation Studies
  

  Plan and steer comprehensive technical feasibility studies to modernise high‑voltage transmission corridors. You will evaluate alternative grid configurations, eliminate performance bottlenecks, and chart engineering roadmaps that expand transmission capacity to integrate new generation sources.

  
  


• Engineering Mission‑Critical, 24/7 Grid Control & Automation Systems
  

  Design, optimise, and protect the high‑availability hardware and software systems that empower operators to monitor and dispatch regional power around the clock. You will safeguard real‑time data acquisition and energy management platforms, implementing robust cybersecurity defenses, network hardening, and automated control tools to defend critical infrastructure against modern threats.

  
  


• Leading High‑Impact Projects & Mentoring Technical Teams
  

  Serve as a project leader and technical authority, guiding multifaceted engineering initiatives from concept through procurement, budgeting, and field commissioning. You will establish technical standards, coordinate multidisciplinary engineering groups and external contractors, and mentor rising engineers to build organisational technical excellence.

  
  

Who We Are Looking For:

A forward‑thinking electrical engineer who thrives on technical autonomy, complex problem‑solving, and cross‑functional leadership. Whether you are modernising high‑voltage equipment, simulating grid dynamics, or architecting resilient automated systems, your work will ensure millions of homes and businesses have dependable power every single day.

Requirements

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free‑response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

Key Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen.


• This employer participates in the e‑Verify program.


• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.


• You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

Conditions of Employment

• After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards.