Power System Engineer

City of Austin; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement plan

Transit access

Job summary

City of Austin is seeking a Power System Engineer to design and assist in creating electric utility facilities, including transmission lines, substations, SCADA/EMS, and related systems. This role is part of Austin Energy's Power Production and Electrical Services Delivery department in a vibrant, urban setting.

Essential duties include power system studies, drawings development, and collaboration with regulatory teams to ensure compliance with NERC, FERC, ERCOT, TX PUC standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of electrical utility operations and standards.
• Ability to perform complex engineering calculations.
• Strong written and oral communication.
• Willingness to travel to multiple work locations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare standards, specs, design procedures.
• Perform power system studies (faults, load flows, etc.).
• Prepare drawings for generation, transmission, substations, SCADA/EMS.
• Create circuit maps and control diagrams.
• Assist customers and other City Departments on technical matters.

Skills

Power system design

Protective relay coordination

SCADA/EMS

Regulatory knowledge

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Written & verbal communication

GIS experience

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

PLS-CADD

LPile/MFAD

GIS

Job description

About This Position

About This Position The transmission engineering team is responsible for providing overhead transmission line design engineering for capital projects, maintenance work, and other related projects. Other duties include reviewing proposed site development projects in the vicinity of AE's transmission line facilities to ensure compliance with AE's requirements, working with the Regulatory team to ensure all regulatory obligations are met, and many other duties related to owning, operating, and maintaining a reliable transmission system (69kV to 345kV) in a congested urban area.

Job Description

Power System Engineer Purpose: Under minimal supervision designs and assists in the design of electric utility system facilities, including generation, electric substations, overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines, network systems, protection systems, supervisory control systems (SCADA), market operation and settlement systems, street lighting, and other electric system facilities. This position exists only in the Power Production and Electrical Services Delivery department of Austin Energy.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Prepares standards, equipment specifications, design procedures, test procedures
• Performs power system studies such as protective relay coordination, fault studies, load flows, service reliability, power quality, voltage stability, power system market operations and settlement studies, etc.
• Prepares engineering design and develops drawings and other documents for generation, transmission, distribution, substations and SCADA/EMS.
• Prepares circuit maps, control diagrams, charts, data bases, and plans for different electrical facilities.
• Provide assistance to all classes of customers, developers, and to other City Departments on technical matters relevant to electric utility services
• Provide technical and financial inputs for projects in electric utility planning and budget process
• Investigate and analyze engineering design problems; develop appropriate solutions; draft reports and make presentations
• Prepares safety procedures for electric facilities
• Assist in efforts to keep up with the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet NERC, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) standards and regulatory requirements
• Work closely with field personnel to support project energization

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations such as, generation, transmission, distribution, market operations and other related fields.
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
• Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.
• Knowledge of established engineering principles and methods.
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
• Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the local and state ordinances and laws.
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, plus five (5) years of experience related to engineering.

Licenses and Certifications Required

None.

Preferred Qualifications

• Overhead transmission line design technical skills
• Experience working for an electric utility, co-op, or municipality
• Skills in using the PLS-CADD software suite
• Experience using the National Electric Safety Code, and other related industry codes and standards (ASCE-SEI, RUS, etc.)
• Structural & Geotechnical engineering experience
• Electrical engineering experience, as it relates to high voltage transmission line design
• Skills in using AutoCAD
• Skills in using LPile, MFAD, or other foundation design and analysis software
• Experience using GIS systems
• Experience in routing in congested urban areas
• Experience working for Austin Energy and/or the City of Austin
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations as part of regular job duties

Notes to Candidate

Note to Internal COA Applicants Only: Current City of Austin employees MUST apply through the internal Workday Jobs Hub to be considered. Applications received from the External Career Site will be disqualified.

Work Location

Work Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 Days and Hours: Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Salary

Salary: $96,180 - $123,100 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• low-cost medical
• dental
• vision
• paid leave time
• a highly competitive retirement plan
• career development opportunities
• and more
• generous leave
• work-life balance programs
• extensive benefits
• wellness programs
• on-site fitness centers
• mental health support
• Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System
• access to public transit
• bike-friendly infrastructure
• Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration

Join the City of Austin Team

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special? Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives. Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits. Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System. Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure. Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support. Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities. Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration. By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

EEO Statement for City of Austin

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.