Principal Engineer, Distributed Generation Interconnections (PE Required)

Avangrid; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,400; Full time

Job summary

Avangrid is seeking a Principal Engineer- Electrical located in Rochester NY or Binghamton NY. This role involves leading teams on complex engineering projects, mentoring peers, and contributing to strategic initiatives.

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and at least 10 years of relevant experience, along with a Professional Engineering License. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $120,000 - $160,400.

Qualifications

• 10+ years minimum relevant experience in engineering.
• Professional Engineering License required.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams and projects that resolve complex problems.
• Develop innovative services and make recommendations.
• Manage resources and budgets on complex projects.

Skills

Diagnostic and problem-solving skills

Project management skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Engineering design software

Job description

Job Title: Principal Engineer- Electrical

Location: Rochester NY, Binghamton NY

The base salary range for this position is dependent upon experience and location, ranging from $120,000 - $160,400.

Job Summary

The engineer will lead teams and projects that solve unique and complex problems with a broad impact on the business. These efforts contribute to the development of departmental or divisional strategy and implementation. The engineer participates and represents UI on industry associations and mentors other employees. With depth and breadth of expertise in distributed generation and other disciplines, the engineer maintains knowledge of leading‑edge techniques or technology through participation in professional associations. Recognized as an expert in their area within the organization and industry, they explain complex ideas, anticipate objections, and persuade others to change. They communicate orally or in writing to regulatory and public entities, lead teams, act as a facilitator, and serve as an experienced mentor.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and perform special projects and studies that innovate solutions to unique & complex problems with broad impact to the business.
• Develop alternate methods or design concepts to resolve unique problems or improve processes/services.
• Solve unique and complex Distributed Generation (DG) Interconnection problems, including customer generators, photovoltaic systems, fuel cells.
• Approve, maintain, and understand drawings (schematics, one‑line diagrams). Assemble documents and other requirements for assignments of complex difficulty using expertise in own discipline.
• Interpret internal/external business issues and recommend best practices or process improvements. Participate in industry associations.
• Lead teams and act as facilitator and experienced mentor. Develop innovative services, technologies, and make recommendations with respect to current and future stakeholder needs. May present to regulatory or public entities.
• Facilitate DG Interconnection project teams to complete tasks and projects. Provide direction for resources outside the department.
• Design systems to resolve overly complex problems in non‑standard situations and develop creative solutions that achieve division results. Apply design standards, industry codes, design criteria, guidelines, and UI policies/procedures independently.
• Interpret processes and standards related to DG, recommend solutions, and represent Engineering on projects, task forces, and studies.
• Develop business cases and manage divisional and company‑wide projects, processes, and initiatives. Participate in developing project/process strategy and execution.
• Forecast, plan, schedule, monitor, control budget/estimates, and construction plans. Manage resource allocations to ensure adequate resources.
• Use knowledge to influence and guide department engineers.
• Provide technical leadership in the most complex projects with a wide business impact.
• Mentor, develop, and support team in technical skills; serve as SME for the team.
• Liaise with or direct contractors on company policy, standards, and best practices.
• Work independently with little supervision.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• 10+ years minimum relevant experience.
• Professional Engineering License required.
• Knowledge of planning, operations, and engineering design, analytics, modeling & calculation, and understanding of the business model with a global view.
• Practical engineering experience/applications in planning, operations, design, and construction, including field experience and standardization.
• Ability to document and interpret engineering documentation effectively.
• Ability to review and approve engineering work done by others to ensure compliance with company standards, specifications, and contract requirements.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory standards and requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Professional Engineering license from the State of Connecticut preferred.

General Skills

• Excellent diagnostic and problem‑solving skills for unique technical and analytical problems.
• Proven ability to lead and manage projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to articulate highly technical concepts.
• Strong management and leadership skills to drive change and adoption of new technologies.
• Knowledge of the regulatory environment, relevant incentives, and output mechanisms.
• Contract, commercial, and regulatory awareness with the ability to balance effective customer service and project delivery for maximum ROI.
• Track record of stakeholder and customer service engagement and management.
• Ability to communicate and present information effectively at all levels.
• Ability to manage competing priorities using sound engineering and financial judgment to determine optimal solutions.
• Awareness and understanding of key business drivers.
• Ability to devise solutions to common and complex challenges.
• Technical and operational experience in a relevant engineering role within a utility environment.
• Knowledge of construction and maintenance standards per regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of engineering standards and specifications up to 345 kV.

Routine Technical Skills

• Physical Substation Design – Expert
• Project Scoping and Estimating – Expert
• Equipment Specifications – Expert
• Construction and Outage Sequencing – Expert
• Industry Codes, Standards, and Regulations – Expert
• Technical Writing and Communication – Expert

Unique Technical Skills

• Substation Foundation Design – Expert
• Substation Layout – Expert
• Substation Equipment Specifications – Expert
• Structure Strength and Load Analysis – Expert
• Substation Material Selection – Expert
• Substation Civil Specifications – Expert

Competencies

• Growth & Continuous Improvement
• Initiative & Change
• Focused on Results
• Customer Centric (internal and/or external)
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Leadership (people managers/leaders)

Company

NY STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORP

Employment is equal opportunity and the company provides accommodations for disabilities or veterans. All applicants are considered 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.