Prin Program Engineer

CMS Energy, Corp.; Ludington (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Up to 13 paid Holidays

Paid time off

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

CMS Energy, based in Michigan, seeks a Principal Program Engineer to lead engineering projects across generation and modernization initiatives at Ludington and potentially other western state sites. The role requires coordinating design, construction, commissioning, and closeout, while mentoring engineers and technicians.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in power generation facilities, DCS/PLC systems, and ensuring safety, quality, and schedule adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program with seven (7) or more years of experience in a program engineer capacity.
• [OR] Bachelor\'s Degree in Engineering from a non-ABET accredited program plus a Professional Engineering license with seven (7) or more years of experience in a program engineer capacity]

Responsibilities

• Prepare, schedule, coordinate, and monitor assigned engineering projects; mentor team members.
• Partner with business units to understand goals and represent interests in project execution.
• Monitor compliance with codes, QA/QC, and performance standards.
• Support Agile delivery by balancing team performance with project priorities.
• Review deliverables, identify issues, and initiate corrective actions.
• Provide technical assistance to project managers and collaborate with senior engineers.

Skills

Analytical skills

GD&T knowledge

Strong communication

Project coordination

Problem solving

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree (7+ years)

Non-ABET degree + PE license (7+ years)

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

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Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This position is based onsite at the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant in Ludington, MI. Additional work locations on the west side of the state may also be available.The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Principal Program Engineer is responsible for providing the engineering and technical expertise necessary to successfully execute projects and programs. This role oversees multiple initiatives and is responsible for project planning, establishing project criteria, coordinating project reviews, and ensuring the successful implementation of project elements.

The Principal Program Engineer schedules, plans, forecasts, allocates resources, and manages technical activities to ensure project accuracy and quality from conception through completion. This position is also accountable for team deliverables and provides technical oversight, guidance, and mentorship to engineers and technicians.

This position is part of the Generation Design group, which provides engineering leadership for capital projects across Consumers Energy generation sites, including solar, wind, hydro, coal, and natural gas generation facilities. Projects may range from new generation development to plant modifications, modernization, and maintenance. The department consists of a multidisciplinary team of program engineers who provide engineering and technical support for capital projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare, schedule, coordinate, and monitor assigned engineering projects. Assign responsibilities and provide guidance and mentorship to project team members.
• Build strong partnerships with business partners and develop a thorough understanding of their business goals. Collaborate with clients to interpret their needs and requirements and represent those interests throughout project execution.
• Monitor compliance with applicable codes, practices, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) policies, performance standards, and specifications.
• Support Agile project delivery by balancing team performance with project priorities and deadlines. Develop specifications for equipment required to support project needs.
• Review engineering deliverables and tasks, identify potential issues, and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
• Provide technical assistance and support to project managers and other project participants. Collaborate with senior engineers to develop more efficient project methods and support overall project performance and profitability.
• Perform quality control reviews of budgets, schedules, plans, and personnel performance, and provide reporting on project status.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary.
• Manage all electrical and technical aspects of assigned projects throughout design, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Support plant modernization projects focused on optimizing power generation.
• Support new renewable energy generation projects, including solar, wind, battery energy storage, hydro, and pumped storage, throughout the design, construction, commissioning, and closeout phases.
• Develop scopes of work for external engineering firms and manage their performance throughout the design, construction, commissioning, and closeout phases of projects.
• Provide technical assistance and support to project managers and other project participants. Collaborate with senior engineers to develop more efficient project methods and support overall project performance.
• Perform quality control reviews of project budgets, schedules, plans, and personnel performance, and report on project status.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of design and visualization software, such as AutoCAD.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with the ability and aptitude to learn new software and technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles.
• Familiarity with applicable rules, regulations, industry best practices, and performance standards.

Additional Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of control systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), relay-based logic, and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of the design, construction, and/or operation of electric generating plants or heavy industrial facilities.
• Knowledge of AC/DC power systems, grounding, protection systems, generators, exciters, breakers, switchgear, load centers, motor control centers (MCCs), and other electrical systems.
• Knowledge of project management principles, including safety leadership, schedule development and implementation, procurement, and construction means and methods.
• Knowledge of applicable industry and building codes as they relate to discipline-specific design and construction.
• Knowledge of planning and permitting requirements as they relate to discipline-specific design and construction.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program with seven (7) or more years of experience in a program engineer capacity
  • [OR] Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a non-ABET accredited program plus a Professional Engineering license with seven (7) or more years of experience in a program engineer capacity

Preferred Experience

• Experience with power systems analysis, design, and operation.
• Experience with DCS, PLCs, and other industrial control systems.
• Experience working in power generation facilities and/or heavy industrial environments.
• Electrical and/or controls project engineering experience.
• Experience reviewing engineering designs to ensure compliance with design requirements, applicable codes, constructability standards, and industry standards.
• Experience procuring engineered materials, equipment, and professional services.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Job Segment: QA, Quality Assurance, QC, Construction, Power Systems, Quality, Technology, Engineering, Energy

Consumers Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please review our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Military Leave Allowance. CMS Energy endeavors to make https://careers.consumersenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact our team at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. ACCOMMODATION NOTICE: Federal law and many state laws require employers to make accommodations to disabled applicants and employees where the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on the employer. For those applicants seeking a position within the State of Michigan, a disabled individual needing accommodation for employment must notify the employer in writing within 182 days after the need is known or should have been known. Michigan law provides that failure of a Michigan employee to properly notify the employer will preclude any claim that the employer failed to accommodate the disabled individual. However, this does not waive an individual’s right under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, which sets no time limit for requesting an accommodation nor does it require such accommodation to be in writing.