Engineer I - Transmission Planning

Southwest Power Pool in; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Hybrid work environment

401(k) with employer match

Pension plan

Medical plans

Job summary

Southwest Power Pool in Little Rock, AR seeks an Engineer I in Transmission Planning to assist senior engineers with planning models and simulations. You will support reliability and economic analyses, tariff studies, and special projects while learning the basics of SPP concepts.

The role emphasizes proactive teamwork, basic technical decision-making under supervision, and collaboration with stakeholders to meet timelines. Hybrid work eligibility may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• Degree in a calculus-based engineering field (preferred).
• Preferred degrees: Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Assist more experienced engineers to build planning models.
• Run simulations using software for reliability and economic analysis.
• Support Integrated Transmission Planning activities and tariff studies.
• Develop basic understanding of SPP transmission system concepts.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (ABET accredited)

Tools

SPP tools

Job description

SPP is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to Work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer‑match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

**PLEASE NOTE:** **SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates. Factors such as qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Salary Range

Overview

The Engineer I, Transmission Planning is responsible for primarily assist more experienced engineers to build planning models, run simulations utilizing the appropriate software associated with reliability and economic analysis, engineering analyses supporting Integrated Transmission Planning process, Tariff Studies, and coordination and support of any special studies for engineering planning. The Engineer I must be pro-active, supporting the team and learning the basic concepts of transmission planning.

Core Responsibilities

• The Engineer I is expected to be competent with the administrative and communication tools for word processing, spreadsheet development, time keeping, etc. The incumbent is expected to develop fundamental understanding of SPP transmission system concept and gain knowledge of software associated with area of responsibility.
• As directed by the Senior/Lead Engineer or Supervisor, the Engineer I should be prepared to enthusiastically complete specific assignments directed by Integrated Transmission Planning activities, tariff studies, special studies or tasks requested by management or the Transmission Planning team.
• The Engineer I is expected to have a basic familiarity of content and concepts of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria, and the SPP Committee structure. A more detailed understanding of specific governing documents and processes will be required depending on support needs.
• As a stakeholder driven environment, all engineers are required to develop positive stakeholder technical, supervisory and/or management level relationships as necessary to accomplish SPP objectives and assigned directives. The Engineer I who assists with specific assignments as given by the more experienced engineer or Supervisor will be required to develop necessary technical stakeholder relationships to collect data and share results for feedback efforts to reach to the fullest extent possible a positive stakeholder consensus.
• The Engineer I is expected to exercise basic technical decisions with the oversight of more experience engineers.
• Assist more experienced engineers, learn processes and tasks, provide feedback and develop knowledge.
• Exercise curiosity to understand and learn how to use the tools associated with transmission planning activities.
• The Engineer I should provide basic technical support to help project groups meet aggressive time schedules.
• Responsible for communication with Transmission Planning teammates, providing an open feedback about knowledge development and work status.
• Embrace and promote the SPP Culture, Mission and Core Values in attitude toward stakeholder relationships, current work assignments as well as long term goals and strategic initiative of the organization.
• Incorporate a fundamental working understanding of the SPP Culture Drivers, Mission and Core Values and apply this directly to all engineering assignments and any SPP related effort, not necessarily limited to engineering.
• Understand and comply with SPP Policies and Procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree of Science in Engineering, this degree should: Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation). Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) License Preferred
• Advanced degree in related field of study

Other Requirements:

• Competent with the administrative and communication tools for word processing, spreadsheet development and time keeping, as a minimum
• Basic proficiency with most SPP power systems analysis tools with a solid command of several SPP tools and/or processes
• Practical understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria and the SPP Committee structure
• Strong inter-personal and team work skills along with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• This position requires minimal travel (approximately 10%)

Southwest Power Pool is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, Southwest Power Pool makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.