Transmission Planning & Engineering - Engineer III/Senior

Arizona Public Service Company; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service Company in Phoenix is seeking an Engineer III/Senior to ensure safety and reliability of the APS transmission system (69kV–500kV). You will lead multiple projects from initiation to closeout, develop long-range transmission plans, and run diverse studies using PSLF, PSCAD, and CAPE.

The role requires coordinating with regulators and senior teams, and mentoring junior engineers. Hybrid work options in a large utility, with responsibility for maintaining compliance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• Eight years of engineering-related experience; five years minimum for Engineer III.
• Experience with power system studies and industry standards (NERC, FERC, WECC).
• Excellent written and oral communication with internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term transmission plans and promote new investment in infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with standards and regulatory orders (FERC, NERC, WECC, ACC).
• Build and maintain transmission models: power flow, dynamic, EMT, short circuit.
• Provide reliable interconnection of new resources and coordinate large projects.
• Interface with outside agencies and regulatory authorities; lead multiple projects.

Skills

Power flow analysis

Transient stability

Short circuit studies

PSCAD

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

PSLF

TARA

PSCAD

CAPE (APA)

PowerWorld

PSSE

Job description

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Summary

The Transmission Planning & Engineering - Engineer III/Senior is responsible for ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the APS 69kV-500kV transmission system. The department has an opportunity for an Engineer who will apply their technical knowledge and experience to promote the department’s core objectives. Duties will consist of conducting a variety of transmission studies including: power flow, transient stability, short circuit, electromagnetic transient, and other power system analyses. The engineer will be responsible for project leadership of multiple projects simultaneously for which they will provide oversight and coordination from initiation through construction close out. The engineer will maintain a thorough knowledge of new developments, technologies, and industry best practices. The engineer may also coordinate, administer, and provide technical direction to less experienced engineers.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop long-term transmission plans and promote new investment in transmission infrastructure
• Ensure full compliance with applicable standards and orders (FERC, NERC, WECC, ACC)
• Build and maintain power flow, dynamic, EMT, and short circuit transmission models
• Provide for reliable interconnection of new resources
• Promote economic development by providing new and innovative means for large use customers to connect to the transmission system
• Perform technical studies, using system simulation software, such as PSLF, TARA, PSCAD, and CAPE (APA), to strategically plan the expansion of the transmission system and maintain acceptable levels of system reliability
• Lead multiple small to large scale projects simultaneously
• Identify potential schedule or quality problems and initiate corrective action
• Take initiative to eliminate barriers and use resources to ensure desired results
• Interface with outside agencies and regulatory authorities
• Represent APS on various technical industry work groups or on regional committees

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications

• Knowledgeable in power flow and transient stability studies (PSLF, TARA, PowerWorld, PSSE)
• Knowledgeable in short circuit studies (CAPE (APA), ASPEN)
• Familiarity with electromagnetic transient studies (PSCAD, EMTP, ETAP, ATP)
• Experienced with NERC Standards including: MOD, TPL, CIP, FAC, PRC
• Familiarity with the FERC pro forma Open Access Transmission Tariff
• Familiarity with the southwestern and WECC transmission system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers, outside agencies, and regulatory authorities.
• A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) plus eight (8) years working experience in Engineering-related positions. (Five (5) years minimum for engineer III).
• A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) plus eight (8) years working experience in Engineering-related positions.

Approved Engineer Degrees

Materials Science/Metallurgy, Physics, Chemistry, Nuclear, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Computer Science, Environmental, Chemical, Structural. (A four-year bachelor of Engineering Technology degree is not considered an automatic equivalent for a B.S. degree in Engineering. A review of the degree program curriculum must be completed by Engineering department management.)

Major Accountabilities

• Develops and applies unique solutions and applications to a broad range of technical issues and problems (solutions that typically require original and creative approaches). Makes decisions and recommendations that have a moderate to significant effect on the overall organization performance.
• Prepares complex engineering plans, designs, analysis, specifications, cost estimates, evaluations, studies, technical reviews, investigations and verifications. Ensures engineering analyses, design, project control, schedule commitments or oversight work is technically sound, cost effective, and in compliance with established standards, codes, and regulations. Checks and reviews analysis, evaluations, and investigations of others.
• Integrates the many interrelated elements of complex projects that are broad in scope, require considerations not previously encountered and requires interpretation and/or modification to guidelines. Complies with design, regulatory, operating and maintenance requirements. Identifies potential schedule or quality problems and initiates corrective action.
• Interfaces with customers and other departments to ensure project objectives are understood and that work scope meets customer requirements, budget and schedule. Contacts customers and various levels of management to obtain or present technical data. Presents the results of designs, studies projects (in terms of new techniques) or approaches to subordinates, colleagues, management and customers.
• Provides technical guidance, leadership and support to less experienced engineers.
• Assists the organization in problem solving, as needed, by critically challenging assumptions and decisions to ensure the most optimal solutions and strategies are implemented. Assists in developing long-range strategies for significant site problems.
• Leverages industry and organization resources to resolve key technical issues. Develops a path forward to address these issues including bridging strategies. May interface with outside agencies and regulatory authorities.
• May plan and coordinate programs and large-scale engineering projects or multiple medium-scale projects while acting as a technical specialist for a specific engineering field. May be responsible for: all aspects of work scope; directing consultants; conducting feasibility studies; determining staff, cost estimates and resource requirements; and recommending engineering criteria.
• Monitors projects and recommends modifications to increase operating efficiency and /or reviews design and documentation of complex projects to ensure compliance with design specifications, schedules and any regulatory requirements. May develop, negotiate and manage contracts and contract revisions.
• May research new developments and technology and make recommendations to management on their feasibility for Company operations.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid

Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

*Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).

*Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.

*Role types are subject to change based on business need.

Job Segment

Sustainability, Power Systems, Nuclear, Energy