Principal Engineer - Distribution Planning

Searchbox l.l.c.; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 128,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

12% 401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

NY STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORP, in collaboration with AVANGRID, seeks a Principal Engineer to drive distribution planning, reliability studies, and DER integration. The role includes leading teams, mentoring engineers, and shaping long term capital plans across the NY service area.

The position requires a BS in Electrical Engineering and a strong background in distribution planning and regulatory considerations. On-site work in upstate NY with career growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• BS Degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 10 years of relevant experience in distribution planning and reliability.
• Preference for PE license.
• Experience with DER integration and utility planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex distribution planning and reliability studies across multiple OpCos.
• Mentor engineers and review engineering work within the department.
• Develop and prioritize a 10-year capital plan for the assigned area.

Skills

Distribution Planning

Reliability Engineering

DER (Distributed Energy Resources)

Education

BS Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PE License Preferred

Job description

Location: On site 5 days a week in Binghamton or Rochester, NY. The base salary range for this position is dependent upon experience and location, ranging from $128,320 to $160,400.

What We Offer:

• Competitive benefits and growth opportunities
• Generous performance-based bonuses
• 12% 401(k) match
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development and clear career advancement pathways

JOB SUMMARY:

Scope of Work - Main duties, settings, geography, reporting relationships, other relationships: The Principal Engineer is able to work independently. Participates and represents AVANGRID on Industry associations. Applies established distribution planning criteria and uses sound utility engineering practices to identify deficiencies in the distribution system. Assists Distribution Engineers and Field Planners in evaluating system reliability and new service requirements. Acts as a technical leader in the Distribution Planning group to direct, oversee and mentor other Distribution Planning Engineers in the Department. Proactively identify and perform special projects & studies that innovatively solve unique & complex problems with a broad impact to the business.

MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Scope of work - range of responsibilities):

• Solve complex and unique Distribution Planning and Reliability issues, studies to include but not limited to, thermal loading, distribution automation, N-1 analysis, large scale customer load additions and complex DER interconnections; develops scoping documents for complex distribution system improvement projects and proposes solutions for identified distribution issues falling outside of established distribution planning criteria, including recommendations for new distribution substations and upgrade/replacement of existing distribution substation transformers and equipment.
• Develop alternative methods or design concepts to resolve unique problems or to improve processes/services including Non-Wires Alternatives (NWAs).
• Anticipates internal/external business issues and/or threats and recommends process improvements.
• Proactively studies and reports on the status of all distribution system facilities in assigned geographical area of responsibility on an established repeating cycle, assigned area may include multiple OPCOs.
• Recognized expert for studies and projects of extreme importance to AVANGRID.
• Responsible for maintaining and prioritizing a 10-year plan of capital projects for assigned area.
• Manage divisional and company-wide projects/studies/initiatives, serve as SME on assigned demonstration projects, initiatives, and teams across AVANGRID.
• Lead teams, acts as experienced mentor & reviews engineering work of others in the department, manage and provide direction to resources outside the department.
• Makes presentations to regulatory/public entities. Explain difficult concepts & influence others.
• Proficient at utilizing computer aided analysis tools to identify system deficiencies and plan for system reinforcements and DER system impact studies.
• Perform complex engineering analyses for locating and determining the settings for distribution automation equipment.
• Can serve as Department leader in the absence of the Manager of Electric Distribution Planning.
• Assists during storm restoration.
• Leads teams/projects or program initiatives across multiple OpCos that solve complex problems taking a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• BS Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 10 years of relevant experience
• PE License Preferred
• Possess a depth and breadth of experience in Distribution Planning, Reliability Engineering and Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
• Possesses broad knowledge of internal/external business and regulatory issues

Company: NY STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORP

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country.

At Avangrid we provide fair and equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tool to search for or to apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our People and Organization department at [e-mail].

Avangrid employees may be assigned a system emergency role and in the event of a system emergency, may be required to work outside of their regular schedule/job duties. This is applicable to employees that will work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within Avangrid Network and Corporate functions. This does not include those that will work for Avangrid Power.

Avangrid employees may also be assigned a NERC Reliability Standards compliance role supporting Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and/or Operations and Planning (O&P) responsibilities. This is applicable to employees that will work in electric transmission, operations, and cyber security business areas in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within Avangrid Network and Corporate business areas. NERC Reliability Standards compliance roles and responsibilities may include additional access protections, training, audit engagement, and required evidence retention, and will be communicated by the employee's management.

Job Posting End Date: November-14-2026