Power System Principal Engineer (Distribution Protection)

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Austin Energy's Distribution Protection Team is responsible for system protection for the downtown Network grids (34.5 kV) and distribution feeders (12.47 kV).

The Distribution Protection team is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer with subject matter expertise in key areas, including fault analysis, system protection, protective device coordination, power system design, troubleshooting system outages, operational support, Network protection, and DER system protection including non-inverter based generation.

This position requires an engineer capable of diving deep into real-world art and science of system protection and design challenges, mentor a small, agile team of engineers, and apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills in both independent and collaborative settings. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives with minimal direction and a seasoned engineer who fosters collaboration and innovation.

Job Description:

Power System Principal Engineer

Purpose:

Under general direction, provides professional technical and specialized engineering expertise to assure delivery of services to customers, advancement of new technologies and processes, and/or development and maintenance of technical utility standards.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Develops technical specifications and standards by applying knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering discipline, including the methods, materials, equipment and techniques used.
  
• Plans, researches, designs, and implements engineering studies and projects and/or program areas by applying advance technical knowledge of engineering discipline.
  
• Manages and negotiates contracts by reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records.
  
• Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators or suppliers and City.
  
• Negotiates problems of changes, errors or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.
  
• Manages and monitors engineering projects for compliance.
  
• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets plans, specifications, contracts and other related documents.
  
• Develops and monitors project budgets and assists in developing, managing and submitting proposed budget forecast planning for short- and long-term city planning.
  
• Monitor projects for regulatory compliance and maintains knowledge of the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) standards and regulatory requirements.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations such as, generation, transmission, distribution and other related fields.
  
• Knowledge of utility standards and regulatory requirements, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) compliance requirements.
  
• Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.
  
• Knowledge of established engineering principles and methods.
  
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
  
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the Local, State and Federal ordinances and laws.
  
• Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.
  
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
  
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
  
• Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, or in a field related to the job, eight (8) years of experience in engineering, acquired either before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, the ability to obtain a Texas PE license within one (1) year of employment.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with downtown Network systems, spot vaults, and secondary grid systems
  
• Experience with protective device coordination and power system protection philosophies
  
• Experience interpreting electrical one-line diagrams relating to medium voltage electrical distribution
  
• Experience using fault analysis software such as CYME or Milsoft Windmil or ASPEN
  
• Experience with programming, commissioning, and testing distribution automation equipment such as reclosers, capbanks, regulators, etc.
  
• Experience with Metal Clad Switchgears and pad-mount switchgears (S&C Vista, S&C PME-9, auto-transfer, & custom schemes)
  
• Knowledge in ADMS or SCADA system operations
  
• Experience with inverter-based and non-inverter-based interconnections to the utility
  

Notes to Candidate:

Location:

4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Salary:

$112,600 - $144,700 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Fair Labor Standards Act:

• This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.
  

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-12-29

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• City of Austin

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