Principal Engineer - Power Uprate projects

Westinghouse Electric Company; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 117,096 - 137,760; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health and Income Protection Benefits

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid vacations for qualifying positions

Job summary

Westinghouse Electric Company is seeking a Power Uprate Principal Engineer to lead technical evaluations and designs for projects aimed at enhancing plant generation capacity and operational efficiency. This fully remote role demands expertise in electrical engineering, regulatory compliance, and project management.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in power generation and a strong command of electrical systems analysis, particularly using ETAP software. The position offers a competitive hourly rate and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience in power generation, utilities, or heavy industry.
• Hands-on experience with ETAP or equivalent tools.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements affecting electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering efforts for Power Uprate projects.
• Perform electrical power system calculations and analysis.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Skills

Power system studies

Electrical calculations

ETAP

Electrical distribution systems

Technical writing

Leadership in technical projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

ETAP

SKM

PowerWorld

Job description

Power Uprate Principal Engineer – Contract Position

Lead the technical evaluation, design, and implementation of plant Power Uprate projects to safely increase generation capacity and improve operational efficiency. As a subject matter expert in system performance and electrical engineering analysis, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, safety standards, and project goals. This role is fully remote, requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and reports to the Manager of Operation Plants Electrical Engineering.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead engineering efforts for plant Power Uprate projects, including feasibility studies, system evaluations, and detailed design.
• Be the primary technical authority on Power Uprate strategies, methodologies, and system impacts.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to engineering staff in electrical system analysis and modeling.

Electrical Engineering Analysis & Modeling

• Perform and oversee detailed electrical power system calculations, including: load flow (power flow) analysis, short circuit and fault current calculations, arc flash hazard analysis, motor starting and dynamic system analysis, and protective device coordination studies.
• Evaluate electrical system capacity and limitations to support Power Uprate conditions.
• Assess impacts of increased generation on switchgear ratings, transformers, transmission interconnections, and auxiliary power systems.
• Ensure calculations meet applicable codes and standards (IEEE, NFPA 70E, NEC, NERC, etc.).

ETAP / Power System Software Utilization

• Develop, maintain, and validate ETAP models (or equivalent power system software). Simulate Power Uprate scenarios and analyze system performance under normal, contingency, and transient conditions.
• Ensure model accuracy through field data validation, system walkdowns, and configuration control.
• Create and review ETAP-based reports supporting engineering decisions, regulatory submittals, and design changes.
• Provide technical leadership in improving and standardizing ETAP modeling practices across the organization.

Project Execution

• Develop and review engineering calculations, analyses, and design modifications associated with Power Uprate implementation.
• Support project planning, scheduling, and risk management activities.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet scope requirements.
• Maintain auditable engineering calculations and documentation.
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, transmission planning, and design engineering.
• Support outage planning and execution for electrical system modifications.
• Work with vendors, consultants, and external engineering firms on specialized studies.

System and Equipment Analysis

• Evaluate plant systems (thermal, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation & control) for Power Uprate capability and constraints.
• Identify required upgrades or modifications to support increased output.
• Perform or oversee system performance modeling and integration analyses across departments.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure all Power Uprate activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., NRC, FERC, NERC, IEEE standards).
• Prepare and support licensing submittals, technical reports, and responses to regulatory inquiries.

Risk & Safety Management

• Identify technical risks associated with Power Uprate and electrical system modifications and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards, including arc flash and protection studies.
• Promote a strong safety culture and engineering rigor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience in power generation, utilities, or heavy industry.
• Demonstrated experience performing power system studies and electrical calculations.
• Hands‑on experience with ETAP (or equivalent tools such as SKM, PSCAD, PowerWorld, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of plant electrical distribution systems and grid interconnections.
• Leadership experience in complex technical projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or ability to obtain.
• Experience supporting plant Power Uprates or major capacity modifications.
• Expertise in arc flash, protection coordination, and short circuit analysis.
• Familiarity with nuclear or large fossil/hydro generation environments.
• Experience with regulatory requirements affecting electrical systems (NERC compliance, licensing).
• Advanced analytical skills in power system modeling and simulation.
• Expertise in ETAP or similar electrical analysis platforms.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health and Income Protection Benefits.
• 401(k) Savings Plan.
• Paid vacations for qualifying positions.

Base Salary Range

The base salary for this position is estimated to be $85/hour to $100/hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and skills.