Power System Engineer (Distribution Reliability)

City of Austin; United States; Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Career development

Job summary

City of Austin is seeking a Distribution Reliability Power System Engineer to strengthen reliability, resilience, and maintainability of distribution systems. The role emphasizes proactive maintenance, data-driven analysis, and ES RP initiatives to improve outages, customer service, and regulatory compliance.

The engineer will support ES RP and collaborate with the Energy Control Center, planning, and field operations, ensuring safe and efficient distribution system performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and five years of related engineering experience.
• Experience with power system studies including protective relay coordination and load-flow studies.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards such as NERC, FERC, ERCOT and TX PUC.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations as required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare standards, equipment specifications, design procedures, test procedures.
• Perform power system studies including protective relay coordination, fault studies, load flows, and reliability analyses.
• Prepare engineering designs and drawings for generation, transmission, distribution, substations and SCADA/EMS.
• Collaborate with field personnel and other City departments on technical matters.
• Support project planning and budgeting with technical inputs.
• Investigate engineering design problems and draft reports and presentations.
• Develop safety procedures for electric facilities.
• Keep up with industry developments to meet regulatory standards.
• Support energization of projects with field teams.

Skills

Power system engineering

Load flow analysis

Reliability engineering

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Technical communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Synergi

CYME

SCADA/EMS

Job description

About This Position

The Distribution Reliability Power System Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliability, resilience, and maintainability of distribution systems and equipment. This role focuses on minimizing downtime and preventing failures through proactive maintenance strategies, system performance analysis, and risk management practices. The engineer supports key initiatives within the Electric System Resilience Plan (ESRP) and contributes to customer service, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• evaluate under-performing feeders by analyzing ADMS outage data and supporting the Energy Control Center through the development of switching instructions for load transfers during emergency conditions.
• conduct circuit lockout investigations, power quality assessments, and analyze data from power quality meters to recommend solutions to issues such as harmonics, transients, and voltage variations.
• provide engineering support during operational events, assist with customer escalations, participate in root cause analyses, support planning and field operations, evaluate new distribution equipment, and ensure effective use of tools and applications that enhance outage analysis and distribution system performance.

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

• 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 North American Electric Reliability Council (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

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• Experience using engineering load flow analysis tools such as Synergi, CYME, or similar platforms.
• Experience with reliability engineering principles and statistical analysis.
• Experience evaluating, integrating, or implementing new technologies, applications, and equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Solid knowledge of electrical engineering principles and advanced mathematics.
• Ability to perform complex technical electrical engineering work with minimal guidance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify potential issues and develop effective, data driven solutions.
• Proficiency with general computer applications, including databases, spreadsheets, and word processing software.
• Understanding of business environments and standard business processes.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations during scheduled hours.

Location

2500 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741

Days and Hours

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available). Additional work hours may be required to support the 24-hour Utility operations, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays inclement weather and emergency closures.

Salary

$91,080 - $117,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more.

Work Schedule

Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Critical Employee Designation

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

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.

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.

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.