Electrical Operations Engineer

Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC; Upton (NY); On-site; USD 114,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory is seeking an experienced Electrical Power Operations Engineer to support the design, maintenance, and operation of its electrical transmission and distribution systems, including substations and controls.

The role emphasizes safe, reliable delivery of power across Brookhaven’s site, collaboration with engineering teams, and managing complex projects in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in electrical power systems engineering in campus/utility/industrial setting; Master’s degree with 6+ years may apply.
• Strong knowledge of electrical distribution systems and medium/high voltage (69kV, 13.8kV, 2.4kV, 480V, 208V).
• Experience with electrical design documents (one-lines, three-lines, protection schematics).
• Experience reading underground utility drawings and P&ID drawings; familiarity with protective relay selection and settings.

Responsibilities

• Perform electrical design to support maintenance and operation of large-scale facilities and systems.
• Develop drawings and contract bid specifications for planned maintenance/outages.
• Layout electrical equipment including switchgear, MCCs, panels, disconnects, and VFDs.
• Review and implement safety procedures; write switching and safety procedures for line crews.

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Master's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

ETAP

SKM PowerTools

AutoCAD

Job description

The Energy & Utilities (EU) Division, part of the Facilities and Operations Directorate, is seeking an experienced Electrical Power Operations Engineer to support the engineering, operations, and maintenance of Brookhaven National Laboratory’s electrical transmission and distribution systems, including substations and controls.

This role is integral to maintaining the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of electrical power across the site’s infrastructure.

Ideal candidates will have utility‑scale experience with medium‑voltage electrical systems and excel in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments involving engineering teams and collective bargaining staff.

Successful candidates will thrive in a dynamic operational setting, managing complex systems, responding to evolving site needs, and contributing to continuous improvement in support of mission‑critical operations.

This is an on-site position, typically scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional extended hours during maintenance periods or emergencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform electrical engineering design to support the maintenance and operation of large-scale facilities and systems, including medium- and low-voltage electrical power transmission and distribution systems.
• Develop drawings and contract bid specifications assisting in the planned maintenance and outages on equipment located in utility plants and buildings.
• Layout and design of electrical equipment including but not limited to normal and emergency switchboards/switchgear, motor control centers, distribution and branch panel boards, disconnect switches, motor starters, and variable frequency drives, etc.
• Participate in the review and implementation of EU safety procedures, and Conduct of Operations; write and review electrical switching and safety procedures for line crew personnel; actively participate in safety programs (e.g., confined space, lock-out/tag-out); create and present electrical safety training to both management and collective bargaining employees.
• Identify and scope projects to ensure maintenance of electric power distribution system.
• Estimate materials, costs, and staffing requirements.
• Support the procurement of electrical service contracts such as load tap changer maintenance, dissolved gas analysis, relay maintenance, and third-party testing, as required.
• Supervise and/or inspect in-house electrical installations and modifications to electrical distribution systems above 600V.
• May supervise service and maintenance contractors to ensure that work is performed in accordance with contract specifications.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external utilities to ensure reliable power delivery to all site facilities.
• Perform system analysis, load studies, and fault current calculations to support infrastructure planning and upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety regulations such as: NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code® NFPA 70E- Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace IEEE C2 - National Electrical Safety Code® OSHA 1910.269.
• Develop and maintain electrical system documentation, including single-line diagrams, manhole drawings, and duct bank drawings.
• Respond to electrical system issues and outages providing technical guidance.
• Participate in capital project planning, utility master planning, and budget planning.
• Support commissioning, testing, and acceptance of new installations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineeringor related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in electrical power systems engineering, preferably in a campus, utility, or industrial setting, or Master's degree in related field with 6 years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of electrical distribution systems.
• Experience with overhead and underground 69kV, 13.8kV, and 2.4kV, 480V, 208V transmission and distribution systems.
• Preparation, review, and approval of electrical system design documents including one-lines, three-lines, DC control schematics, short circuit and voltage drop calculations.
• Experience managing multiple projects.
• Familiarity with electrical design software (e.g., ETAP, SKM PowerTools, AutoCAD).
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to read and interpret underground utility drawings, one-line electrical diagrams, and P&I drawings.
• Some experience with protective relay selection, relay settings, coordination studies.
• Ability to use AutoCAD to produce design drawings, modify drawings, and create as-built drawings.
• Excellent teamwork; effective written and oral communication skills; able to analyze data, write technical reports, and develop work packages.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering.
• 10 years of experience in electrical power systems engineering, preferably in a campus, utility, or industrial setting.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and mechanical drawings.
• Experience with electrical SCADA systems.
• Experience in the electrical operation of centralized chilled water plants, steam plants, and water supply and treatment plants.
• Familiarity with substation maintenance procedures and equipment such as vacuum breakers, SF6 circuit breakers, transformers, battery systems, etc.

Environmental, Safety, and Health, Considerations

• Standing, bending, and lifting, up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to enter confined spaces.
• Ability to climb fixed and portable ladders and work at heights up to 10 feet.
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment.
• Work outdoors/cold environments or indoors/hot environments.
• Occasional travel may be required to attend training classes, special meetings, conferences, or events.

Other Information

• Possess a valid US Driver’s license; use of private car may be required at certain times.
• Must be available on occasion outside normal working hours to support power outages or planned maintenance.
• Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation.
• This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $113,500 - $218,150/ year.
• You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience.
• Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
• Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive.
• Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
• Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id.
• This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act.
• Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
• As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements.
• The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems.
• As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential.
• These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future.

Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research.

The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science.

Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE.

BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.

BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled.

We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery.

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.

*VEVRAA Federal Contractor BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A.

You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven.

The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file Welcome.

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