Power Engineer I

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Medical and dental coverage

401(k) with company match

Vacation and paid time off

Job summary

Elliot Engineering in Lexington, Kentucky seeks an entry-level Power Engineer I to support electrical distribution, transmission, substation, protection and control, field testing, power system studies, and asset-condition reviews under supervision.

This role is ideal for a recent graduate with a strong academic foundation in electric power engineering who wants to develop practical design, analysis, reporting, and project delivery skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• Foundational understanding of three-phase circuits and power systems.
• Ability to read one-line diagrams and wiring diagrams.
• Willingness to travel up to 30 percent.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist project engineers with tasks across distribution, transmission, substation, and protection projects.
• Prepare design portions and equipment specifications for 480 V through 34.5 kV.
• Perform basic engineering calculations (short-circuit, load-flow, voltage-drop).
• Create and update power system models and conduct studies.
• Prepare drawings and schematics using AutoCAD or MicroStation.
• Coordinate activities with clients, vendors, and internal teams.
• Participate in technical training and develop knowledge of codes and standards.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Elliot Engineering is an employee-owned engineering firm specializing in the planning, design, control, and analysis of electrical power systems. We serve clients across commercial, industrial, and utility markets and are committed to delivering practical engineering solutions that support safe, reliable electric power.

Position Summary

The Power Engineer I is an entry-level electrical engineering position supporting electrical distribution, transmission, substation, protection and control, field testing, power system studies, and utility asset-condition reviews under the direction of a Lead Engineer or Professional Engineer. This role is intended for a recent graduate with a strong academic foundation in electric power engineering who is ready to develop practical design, analysis, technical review, field, report-writing, and project-delivery skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist project engineers with assigned tasks for electrical distribution, transmission, substation, protection and control, field testing, power system study, and utility planning and asset-condition review projects.
• Prepare portions of engineering designs and equipment specifications for electrical distribution projects ranging from 480 V through 34.5 kV under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Perform and document basic engineering calculations, including short-circuit, load-flow, voltage-drop, battery-sizing, grounding, and equipment thermal-rating calculations, with appropriate review.
• Build and update power system models and support equipment evaluation, protective-device coordination, arc-flash, harmonic, and power-quality studies.
• Prepare and revise one-line diagrams, general arrangements, sections, grounding plans, conduit and raceway plans, control schematics, wiring diagrams, material lists, and related design documents.
• Assist with protection and control design and the development, documentation, and checking of relay settings.
• Support maintenance testing, equipment inspections, field data collection, and evaluation of test results under the direction of experienced engineers.
• Create and revise engineering drawings using AutoCAD or MicroStation.
• Assist with scopes of work, conceptual designs, execution plans, equipment specifications, bid evaluations, and purchase recommendations.
• Coordinate assigned activities with clients, contractors, vendors, utilities, and internal engineering disciplines; support construction, startup, commissioning, and independent engineering reviews; and assist with technical evaluations, information requests, reports, presentations, and other project documentation.
• Participate in technical training and progressively develop knowledge of applicable codes, standards, software, and engineering practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university, completed or expected before the employment start date.
• Coursework in electric power systems, power system analysis, electrical machines, power electronics, protective relaying, high-voltage engineering, renewable energy systems, or related power engineering subjects.
• Foundational understanding of three-phase circuits, per-unit calculations, symmetrical components, transformers, generators, motors, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Ability to apply engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and structured problem-solving methods to technical assignments.
• Ability to read or learn to prepare one-line diagrams, equipment layouts, grounding plans, control schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with engineering calculation or modeling tools through coursework, laboratories, internships, or academic projects.
• Strong organizational, analytical, research, and technical-writing skills, with careful attention to detail, accuracy, and source documentation.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate with clients, coworkers, contractors, utilities, and vendors.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while seeking direction and incorporating technical review comments.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites as needed, generally less than 30 percent.
• Valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable for required project travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineer in Training (EIT) certification or eligibility to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.
• Internship, cooperative education, laboratory, senior design, research, or project experience involving power system analysis, protection, grounding, power quality, transmission or substation systems, utility asset assessment, or related electrical power work.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or another computer-aided design application.
• Familiarity with SKM PowerTools, ETAP, EasyPower, PSCAD, PSS/E, MATLAB/Simulink, PS-CAPE, PSL-CAD, or comparable power-system analysis software.
• Exposure to electric utility, industrial, consulting engineering, construction, startup, commissioning, utility planning, asset management, or engineering assessment environments.
• Knowledge of relevant codes and standards through coursework, internships, or projects, and interest in substation design, protection and control, studies, field testing, or commissioning. Technical Knowledge to Be Developed:
• Electrical equipment layouts, electrical clearances, and rigid and strain bus design.
• Grounding-system, protection and control, and substation raceway design.
• Power system modeling and study methods.
• Transmission and substation asset-condition assessment, technical evidence review, and engineering report preparation.
• Applicable ANSI, IEEE, NEC, NEMA, NESC, NFPA 70E, and NETA codes and standards.

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

Work may be performed in offices, industrial facilities, power plants, and low-, medium-, high-, and extra-high-voltage substations. Project sites may include energized electrical equipment, elevated noise levels, uneven surfaces, ladders, and confined or restricted work areas. The position may require the use of hearing protection, fall protection, and other personal protective equipment. The employee must be able to crawl, climb, and satisfy applicable fit-for-duty requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Elliot Engineering offers a competitive salary and a benefits package that includes employee ownership, medical and dental coverage, a 401(k) plan with company match, vacation, and paid time off.