System Studies Engineer (Interconnection) - Power & Energy

ZipRecruiter; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a knowledgeable Electrical Engineer to join their dynamic team. This role emphasizes power engineering, focusing on high-voltage systems and project design. The successful candidate will lead design efforts, collaborate with diverse teams, and ensure compliance with industry standards. With a strong commitment to quality and safety, this innovative firm offers a collaborative environment where your expertise will contribute to impactful projects in the energy sector. If you are passionate about engineering and eager to make a difference, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of power engineering principles and high-voltage systems.
• Experience with PSCAD and PSSE for load flow and dynamic analysis.
• Knowledge of industry standards for modeling and interconnection processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering efforts on project design from start to finish.
• Communicate effectively with project stakeholders across multiple disciplines.
• Draft and finalize technical documents including design criteria and reports.

Skills

Power Engineering Principles

High-Voltage Electrical Systems

Effective Communication

Project Management

Technical Documentation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification

Professional Engineer (PE) License

Tools

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

MathCAD

MS Office

PSCAD

PSSE

ETAP

Job description

Job Description

Atwell, LLC is a bold leader in the consulting, engineering, and construction services industry, delivering a broad range of creative solutions to clients in the real estate & land development, and energy markets. We have a strong presence and a diverse, award-winning project portfolio. Atwell is a privately owned company, with 1,800+ passionate team members across 55+ locations and growing!

Atwell, LLC is a proud recipient of the following 2024 awards:

• Nine consecutive years in a row as a "Best Place to Work" (#16) by Zweig Group
• Recognized as #10 in the "Top 100 Fastest Growing AEC Firms" in the U.S. by Zweig Group
• Recognized as #71 in the ENR Top 500 Design Firms, ranked in every region.
• Recognized in Crain's "Fast 50" as one of the fastest-growing firms based in Michigan.
• Recognized in Crain's Magazine as one of Michigan's largest privately held companies.

Job Summary

Atwell specializes in power and power delivery services including electrical high-voltage, substations, switchyard, transmission line, distribution design, overhead & underground collection systems, and renewable energy power facilities such as Windfarms, PV/Solar farms, and BESS facilities.

The Electrical Engineer with emphasis in power sector will play a key role in supporting the project team by leading various design components on individual projects. This position requires developing and demonstrating expertise in core responsibilities outlined below.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of power engineering principles, with expertise in high-voltage electrical systems and components involved in power, transmission, distribution, and substation design.
• Communicate effectively with all project stakeholders, actively coordinating engineering and design activities across multiple disciplines, including substation physical, protection & control, SCADA, civil, structural, transmission, distribution, collection system, studies, construction, procurement, and project management.
• Lead engineering efforts on project design through various milestones from start to finish.
• Assist project managers in developing proposal documents and estimates for bidding or change orders.
• Collaborate with drafters, designers, and other engineers on preparation and checking of design drawings and packages.
• Participate in occasional site visits, field walkdowns, or client meetings as required.
• Communicate workload status and complete assignments within scope, schedule, and budget with high accuracy to ensure quality deliverables.
• Proficient in MS Office tools, Teams, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and MathCAD.
• Draft, review, and finalize technical documents including design criteria, drawings, reports, specifications, bill of materials, proposals, cost estimates, feasibility studies, testing procedures, commissioning plans, construction staging, outage plans, and scope of work.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as NEC, NESC, NFPA, IEEE, ANSI, USDA, and other relevant standards.
• Conduct interdisciplinary reviews to ensure coordination and integration across disciplines.
• Review designs for safety, client standards, good practice, and constructability.
• Adhere to Atwell's quality and safety standards.

Key Competencies and Skillset

Interconnection

• Experience with PSCAD and PSSE load flow and dynamic analysis.
• Experience with dynamic modeling and tuning of renewable generators in PSSE using WECC models.
• Knowledge of industry standards related to modeling, such as NERC PRC and MOD, IEEE 2800, 1547, FERC orders.
• Familiarity with interconnection processes in ERCOT, MISO, SPP, and FERC pro-forma.
• Model tuning experience for PRC-019, PRC-024, PRC-029, MOD-026, and MOD-027.
• Experience with studies like injection, impact studies, transmission analysis, LMP forecasting, and congestion analysis.
• Proficiency in software such as PSSE, PSCAD, PSLF, ETAP, EMTP, SKM, CYME, TSAT, Power World, Windmil.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical reports documenting electrical studies.
• Strong communication skills to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Sound judgment in evaluating and adapting standard techniques and procedures.

Electrical Studies

• Understanding of electrical theory and concepts for studies like load flow, short circuit, grounding, cable ampacity, energy loss, harmonics, protection coordination, arc flash, insulation, induced voltages, and TOV/TRV.
• Proficiency in tools such as ETAP, CYMCAP, WinIGS, CDEGS, PSSE, PSCAD, PSLF, and others.
• Review utility interconnection studies for compliance with requirements.
• Ensure design compliance with codes and standards.
• Develop detailed technical reports of electrical studies.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively.
• Apply judgment in technical evaluations and modifications.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET Accredited)
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification preferred for Level I-III
• Professional Engineer (PE) License preferred for Level IV and above