Transmission Planning Engineer

Cleco; Pineville (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleco Power is seeking an Engineer – Transmission Planning to perform complex transmission studies for long-term and near-term planning horizons. You will work with PSSE, TARA, PROMOD, and PSCAD to address operational, planning, and compliance needs, coordinating with MISO and neighboring utilities to ensure reliable bulk transmission for Cleco Power and Cleco Cajun.

As a professional, you will model conditions for next-day assessments, support outage coordination, and contribute to data model

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum.
• FE/PE preferred.
• 3+ years experience preferred.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong mathematical abilities and pressure handling.
• Willingness to learn new technologies and work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Performs Long and Short Range transmission studies to meet compliance.
• Model daily system security scenarios and real-time operations.
• Coordinate data with neighboring utilities and MISO for planning.
• Manage real-time models and update SCADA/ICCP data.
• Support outage planning and develop operational guidelines.
• Provide status updates to management on risks and progress.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Communication skills

Problem solving

Team player

Mathematical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET accredited)

FE/PE preferred

Tools

PSSE

TARA

PROMOD

PSCAD

OpenNet

Job description

At Cleco, we're not just powering lives—we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana. With bold investments in innovative energy solutions, we’re transforming how we power our communities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable. This is a long-term commitment to our people and our communities because our future—and the future of generations to come—depends on it. If you're ready to make an impact where it matters most, join us at Cleco—where we're Energizing Your Tomorrow.

The Engineer – Transmission Planning is a career professional capable of performing complex Transmission Engineering studies independently. This employee will have the opportunity to perform Steady State, Dynamic, and Adjusted Production Cost studies for both long-term and near-term planning horizons, using industry-leading tools and practices—such as PSSE, TARA, PROMOD, and PSCAD—to address operational, planning, and compliance needs. The engineer is responsible for performing studies to ensure that Cleco Power's transmission system will serve our customers well into the future. Transmission Planning engineers are responsible for performing studies as needed for both Cleco Power and Cleco Cajun, as well as across multiple departments, to ensure reliable operation of the bulk electric system.

Key Responsibilities

• Champions a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, sense of belonging, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Performs both Long and Short Range studies of the transmission system to identify deficiencies and recommend feasible alternative solutions to meet North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance requirements. Perform sensitivity studies of these alternatives to justify capital transmission projects to meet Cleco Power’s transmission strategy.
• Conduct daily assessments, including model building, analysis of planned and unplanned scenarios for system security, and real-time operational studies using PSSE and TARA.
• Utilize OpenNet or similar EMS tools for Real-Time Contingency Analysis and situational awareness.
• Manage real-time models, including adding, updating, or deleting SCADA and ICCP data, and troubleshoot real-time model solving and performance issues.
• Manage operational contingencies and coordinate with third-party outages as needed.
• Perform studies for outage planning and coordination, as well as address operational concerns or develop operational guides using PSSE and TARA in response to MISO requirements.
• Coordinate data with neighboring transmission companies and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) for development of annual powerflow models.
• Accurately model operational conditions for next-day assessments and to assist in the outage coordination process.
• Perform TPL studies and other NERC compliance-related seasonal studies, steady-state analysis, and dynamic/transient stability studies using PSSE and PSCAD.
• Conduct studies involving inverter-based resources (IBR), solar generation, and large data center loads as needed, including EMT studies.
• Support cost-benefit analysis for system upgrades or the addition of generation resources, utilizing PROMOD, and participate in MVP or MEP projects within the MISO region.
• Perform studies for new customer loads and/or new generation interconnections as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource for studies performed for external departments.
• Model and promote ethical business conduct and compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations applicable to Cleco.
• Support Transmission Operations desk for real-time events as needed.
• Utilize engineering standards, procedures, and processes, providing recommendations for process improvements as necessary.
• Assist entry-level staff within assigned project teams, leveraging technical experience to onboard them and support project milestones.
• Provide regular status updates to management, highlighting risks or resourcing needs.
• Fully understand the Cleco Transmission Network to anticipate study issues based on previous work.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited curriculum
• FE/PE preferred
• 3+ years experience preferred
• Good interpersonal skills along with strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent math skills
• Ability to work under Pressure
• Ability to recognize process improvements opportunities and make improvementsWillingness and ability to learn new technologies on the job
• Proficient at functioning effectively within a team environment, present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
• Progression to this level is strictly restricted based on critical individual capabilities and business requirements; must be supported by market survey data.

Licenses and Certifications

• FE Certification preferred

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

• Building Organizational Talent*
• Building Partnerships
• Leading Teams
• Business Acumen
• Communication
• Courage
• Building Self-Insight
• Building Talent*
• Driving for Results
• Energizing the Organization
• Driving Execution
• Building Trusting Relationships
• Driving Innovation
• Planning and Organizing
• Safety
• Establishing Strategic Directio

TECHNICAL

• Analytical skills
• Computer skills
• Engineering Technology
• Equipment utilization
• Multi Project Management
• Project and Program Risk Management
• Strategic Planning and Analysis
• Transmission operations risk management

May perform other duties as assigned.