Power Systems Engineer – Strategic Projects

Jacobs; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Hybrid work policy

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Power Systems Engineer – Strategic Projects to drive high-voltage transmission and substation modernization across strategic utility initiatives. You will lead technical studies, define scopes, and guide design from concept to closeout, collaborating with engineering, operations, and leadership.

The role emphasizes system planning, renewables integration, and asset management, with exposure to cutting-edge grid technologies and strategic investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 12+ years in utility, transmission, substation, or power systems engineering.
• Experience with HV systems 69kV–500kV and substations equipment.
• Familiarity with IEEE, NESC, NEC standards and utility design practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead special projects involving high-voltage substations, transmission systems, and grid infrastructure.
• Perform studies, evaluations, and design activities across project lifecycles.
• Develop scopes, specifications, design criteria, and engineering recommendations.
• Support modernization efforts: automation, digital substations, SCADA, and grid resilience.
• Interface with leadership, consultants, vendors, and contractors; present findings.

Skills

High-voltage engineering

Power system analysis

Project management

Technical communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSCAD

ETAP

SKM

PowerWorld

CAPE

CYME

PSS E

ASPEN

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking a highly motivated Power Systems Engineer – Strategic Projects to support strategic utility initiatives, capital projects, system modernization, and emerging technologies across our high-voltage transmission and substation infrastructure. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys solving complex technical challenges that extend beyond traditional engineering assignments.

The successful candidate will lead and support a diverse portfolio of projects involving substations, transmission systems, renewables integration, grid modernization, system planning, equipment replacement programs, and operational improvements. Assignments will vary based on business needs and may require collaboration across engineering, operations, construction, regulatory, and executive leadership teams.

This position offers exceptional exposure to utility modernization and provides opportunities to influence critical infrastructure investments and strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Project Leadership

• Lead special projects involving high-voltage substations, transmission systems, protection and control systems, and grid infrastructure.
• Perform engineering studies, technical evaluations, and system assessments.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, design criteria, and engineering recommendations.
• Support conceptual, preliminary, and detailed engineering design activities.
• Coordinate engineering efforts through project lifecycle phases including planning, design, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend implementation strategies.

System Modernization & Strategic Initiatives

• Support utility modernization efforts including
  • Substation automation
  • Digital substations
  • SCADA and communications systems
  • Grid resiliency initiatives
  • Asset management programs
  • Renewable energy integration
  • Energy storage projects
• Investigate operational challenges and develop innovative technical solutions.
• Conduct benchmarking, research, and technical due diligence for strategic investments.

Technical Analysis

• Guide system studies to meet project objectives including
  • Load flow analysis
  • Short-circuit studies
  • Arc flash analysis
  • Equipment loading assessments
  • Reliability evaluations
  • Power quality investigations
• Analyze equipment performance and failure trends.
• Develop recommendations to improve system reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Energy and Power teams including System Studies, Protection & Controls, Substation and Transmission Design, Generation, and other Jacobs business units.
• Interface with consultants, vendors, contractors, and external stakeholders.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Support capital budgeting, forecasting, and project prioritization efforts. #epjobs #naepjobs

Desired Attributes

The ideal candidate will be

• Curious and innovative.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity.
• Able to quickly learn new technologies and business areas.
• Equally effective in the office, field, and executive settings.
• Self-directed and capable of leading initiatives with limited supervision.
• Passionate about modernizing and strengthening the electric grid.
• Enjoys guiding and developing less-experienced engineers through project delivery, engineering standards, and industry best practices.

Why This Role Is Unique

Unlike a traditional substation engineering position, this role provides the opportunity to work across disciplines and tackle the utility's most critical and visible challenges. One month may involve evaluating a new 230kV substation, while the next may focus on battery energy storage integration, wildfire mitigation, transmission upgrades, or strategic infrastructure planning. This position is designed for engineers who enjoy variety, ownership, and making a measurable impact on the future of the power system.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
• 12+ years of utility, transmission, substation, or power systems engineering experience.
• Experience with high-voltage systems ranging from 69kV through 500kV.
• Knowledge of substation equipment including
  • Power transformers
  • Circuit breakers
  • Disconnect switches
  • Instrument transformers
  • Protection and control systems
  • Bus configurations
• Familiarity with applicable industry standards including IEEE, NESC, NEC, and utility design practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain.
• Utility transmission owner/operator experience.
• Experience supporting renewable generation interconnections (PV, wind, BESS).
• Familiarity with relay protection and control systems.
• Experience with EPC or consultant-managed projects.
• Knowledge of
  • PSCAD
  • ETAP
  • SKM
  • ASPEN
  • CAPE
  • CYME
  • PSS®E
  • PowerWorld
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Experience With FERC, NERC, WECC, Or Regional Reliability Requirements.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future.

• Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave.
• And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $132,900.00 to $174,450.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.