Electrical Engineer

US Bonneville Power Administration; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) seeks an innovative Electrical Engineer to solve complex grid challenges, design and analyze electrical power systems, and support regional reliability in Washington state.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET-accredited) or an equivalent combination with licensure or FE exam; experience in power system design, testing, and troubleshooting is valued. This federal role offers a structured career path and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent combination.
• Professional licensure (EI/EIT/PE) or passing FE exam can substitute education for required experience.
• Experience in design, analysis, and troubleshooting of electrical power systems is preferred.

Skills

Power systems analysis

Circuit design

Field testing

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Tools

Electrical testing equipment

Job description

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in Project Scoping (TEEL), Substation Engineering (TEE), Engineering and Technical Services (TE), Transmission Services (T).

Shape the future of clean, reliable power! We are seeking an innovative Electrical Engineer to solve complex grid challenges, deploy state-of-the-art electrical systems, and ensure regional power reliability.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

-OR-

B. Combination of Education and Experience – college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR-
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. -OR-
3. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. -OR-
4. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all‑inclusive.)

For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

GS-09

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) Assisting professional engineers with the design, analysis, or modification of electrical power systems and equipment by performing routine calculations and preparing preliminary technical drawings or specifications; and 2) Conducting field surveys, standard functional testing, or troubleshooting of electrical components using established engineering practices and manufacturer guidelines.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or master's, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full‑time study may be credited).

GS-11

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience 1) Designing, reviewing, or modifying electric power distribution, transmission, or generation systems using established engineering criteria and precedents; 2) Performing engineering calculations, studies, or evaluations of technical data packages and equipment specifications; and 3) Conducting functional testing, troubleshooting, or field investigations on electrical circuitry and equipment to resolve operational problems.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full‑time study may be credited).

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community‑based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.