Electronics Engineer

US Bonneville Power Administration; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration is seeking a senior expert to design long-range plans for critical fiber and microwave communication networks across the transmission grid. You will lead technical teams, translate complex engineering needs into clear business cases, and guide regional grid safety standards to ensure reliable operations.

We value deep expertise in engineering sciences, strong collaboration across disciplines, and the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• Specialized experience: plan telecom for high-voltage transmission and negotiate telecommunication agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical teams to design long-range fiber and microwave networks for the transmission grid.
• Translate engineering needs into clear business cases for stakeholders.
• Guide regional grid safety standards and ensure reliable operations.

Skills

Engineering principles

Telecom planning

Grid modeling

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in Communications and Control Planning (TPMC), Transmission Communications and Grid Modeling (TPM), Transmission Planning and Asset Management (TP), Transmission Services (T).

As a senior expert, you will design long-range plans for crucial fiber and microwave communication networks. You'll lead technical teams, guide regional grid safety standards, and translate complex engineering needs into clear business cases.

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:

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-12) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) applying electronics engineering principles to plan communication and control systems in support of a high-voltage transmission network, including interconnection requests; and 2) providing technical guidance, developing and negotiating telecommunication agreements.

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.