Electrical Engineer II or III (Substation Design) (*Remote from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, or [...]

Dairyland Power Cooperative; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 99,900 - 172,400; Full time

Job summary

A regional energy cooperative in Wisconsin is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer II or III to design and evaluate protective relaying systems and oversee equipment specifications. You will work on ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while providing technical support to various departments. The ideal candidate has a BSEE in Power Systems and effective communication skills. The role also offers flexibility for remote work within the region and involves travel requirements up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Experience in power systems, electric machinery, or protective relaying preferred.
• Knowledge of engineering economics is beneficial.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Design and synchronize relay protection and control schemes for power systems.
• Evaluate proposals for electrical equipment acquisitions.
• Assist cooperatives in technical matters such as voltage regulation.

Skills

AC three-phase systems

Protective relaying

Metering

Computer-aided drafting

Effective communication

Education

BSEE – Power Systems option

Job description

Electrical Engineer II or III (Substation Design)

Join to apply for the Electrical Engineer II or III (Substation Design) role at Dairyland Power Cooperative.

Please note this position is open only to U.S. citizens.

Hiring Salary for Level II: $99,900-149,900 (2+ Years of Experience)

Hiring Salary for Level III: $114,900-172,400 (5+ Years of Experience)

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

The Electrical Engineer is responsible to design, specify, evaluate, and coordinate the installation of protective relaying, metering, control schemes, circuit breakers, motor-operated switches, transformers, voltage regulators, grounding, etc. to ensure a properly designed and engineered transmission and substation network. As a team member, resolve problems that may impact Dairyland and its member cooperatives and municipals. Ensure regulatory compliance requirements are being met. Provide continuing technical support to other departments and Dairyland’s member cooperatives and municipal customers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible, with minimal supervision, for engineering and design of relay protection and control schemes for transmission lines, transformers, circuit breakers, motor-operated switches and other like devices. Includes one-line diagram development, design of schematics and preparing wiring diagrams.
• Responsible for setting protective relays protecting transmission lines, transformers, capacitor banks and other electrical devices. Includes fault analysis and coordination of protective functions.
• Provide engineering and design for metering of DPC’s transmission and distribution substations, ties with foreign power suppliers, and ties with municipal power systems.
• Responsible for maintaining DPC’s fault model. Includes entering data, performing studies, providing data to other utilities, consultants or member cooperatives.
• Review and monitor system equipment condition according to established program requirements and initiate response to conditions as needed. Responsible for analysis of equipment loading, equipment ratings, protection coordination, system power factor, voltage regulation, power factor, etc. to ensure proper application of the equipment to avoid overloads and to optimize facility operation.
• Working knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, standards and codes including but not limited to ANSI, IEEE, NESC, NEC and NERC.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the Electrical Maintenance Department, System Operations Department, Planning Department, Generation Division and other departments in the areas of protective relaying, metering, transformers, regulators, circuit breakers, substation design, maintenance procedures, etc. This may include on-site support during testing, commissioning, start up and troubleshooting.
• Responsible for the preparation of equipment specifications and purchase requisitions for equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, circuit switchers, regulators, capacitor banks, etc. Perform life cycle cost analysis of equipment as required. Evaluate proposals for this equipment and prepare recommendation for acquisition.
• Responsible for substation grounding activities according to the departmental program. These include review of existing ground grids, recommend modifications to ground grids because of substation changes, design new ground grids and review of newly designed ground grids. Familiar with equipment surge protection and application of surge protection. Must be familiar with ANSI/IEEE Standard 80 and 81.
• Assist member cooperatives with technical problems such as stray voltage issues, regulator settings, grounding, transformer loading, phase balancing, equipment ratings, etc.
• Develop operating procedures for substations, capacitor stations and other electrical equipment as needed.
• Assist leader with scheduling, budget, cost analysis, and manpower forecasting.
• Prepare engineering studies related to stray voltage, power quality, safety, etc. as directed.
• Perform project management duties as required.
• Represent DPC on technical committees or task forces as required.
• May provide guidance to other engineers, coop students and summer students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Your Experience and Expertise

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience: BSEE – Power Systems option preferred. This experience must be in the area(s) of power systems, electric machinery, protective relaying, metering, control systems, telecommunications, or electronics desirable. Electric utility experience is preferred.

Skills: A working knowledge of AC three-phase systems, protective relaying, metering and computer-aided drafting. The ability to read and understand manufacturer’s drawings, technical bulletins, instruction leaflets, etc. Adaptability to computer methods for daily work duties is desirable. Ability to communicate effective both verbally and in writing. Engineering Economics knowledge.

Licenses and Certifications: Registered Professional Engineer or Certified Engineer-in-Training (EIT) actively pursuing registration. Valid Driver’s License.

Physical Demands: Sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, crouching/stooping, squatting, bending reaching/stretching. Operate/manipulate personal computer, keyboard, mouse, calculator, telephone, general office supplies (pens, stapler, tape dispenser, etc.), tape measure, and screwdriver. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time while working outdoors.

Environmental Demands: Work indoors with occasional outdoor work at substations, power line right‑of‑ways, and power plants. Outdoor work may occur in various weather conditions and near electrical hazards. Must be able to traverse uneven terrain.

Other Job Characteristics: Must be able to communicate and work effectively in a team environment, within the company, and with outside customers. Travel within the DPC system is periodically required. Additional travel to off‑system locations for meetings, conferences and seminars is required. Work under limited supervision in a variably paced, variable pressure work setting.

Dairyland Power Cooperative values the importance of finding the right candidate for this position. For individuals residing in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, or Illinois, we are open to considering a fully remote work arrangement for the right candidate, provided they meet the qualifications and can effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

This position requires flexibility to travel up to 25% of the time. Travel may include attending meetings, conferences, site visits, or other work‑related activities as necessary. Travel requirements may vary based on project demands and business priorities, and the candidate must be prepared for occasional overnight stays. Whenever possible, all travel will be planned with advance notice.