Strategic Power Systems Engineer – Grid Modernization

Jacobs; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Power Systems Engineer – Strategic Projects to lead and support a portfolio of high-voltage transmission and substation projects. You will evaluate technology, drive design, and coordinate across engineering, operations, and leadership to deliver strategic investments.

The role emphasizes utility modernization, renewables integration, and asset management with opportunities to influence critical infrastructure decisions and grid resilience.

Qualifications

• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Ambiguity tolerance

Team collaboration

Project coordination

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSCAD

ETAP

SKM

PowerWorld

CYME

CAPE

PSS/E

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Power Systems Engineer – Strategic Projects to lead and support a portfolio of high-voltage transmission and substation projects. You will evaluate technology, drive design, and coordinate across engineering, operations, and leadership to deliver strategic investments.

The role emphasizes utility modernization, renewables integration, and asset management with opportunities to influence critical infrastructure decisions and grid resilience.