Transmission Planning Engineer

Requisition ID # 148986 

Job Category: Engineering / Science 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Electric Engineering

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Oakland

Department Overview

The Transmission System Planning (TSP) department performs multi-year assessments and develops a portfolio of transmission expansion plans and projects to meet the company's transmission needs for delivery of safe and reliable electric service to our customers while adhering to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) planning standards. The members of TSP actively participate in the NERC and WECC standard development process for electric transmission reliability. The department is also involved in developing transmission expansion policy and strategy to meet the company's renewal portfolio standards (RPS) goals. In addition, the department provides support to project implementation groups, operations, law, contract, and other internal departments.

Position Summary

This position is represented by the Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining.

The Transmission Planning engineer will be responsible for conducting studies to ensure the reliability of the Bulk Electric System.  This work includes power flow analysis, stability studies, voltage studies, technical analysis of disturbances and implementation of regulatory reliability standards. The Planning engineer will study the current and future transmission system configuration and recommend upgrades to transmission system facilities based on the reliability need identified in the analysis.      The Journey level engineer resolves problems and typically may require direction from more senior engineers and the supervisor. As experience increases the responsibility level increases as well as greater independence of judgment is expected with respect to standard solution problems. The position requires interfacing and coordination with both internal and external customers of PG&E Transmission Planning Department.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. The assigned work location will be within the PG&E Service Territory

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job.  The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.

The annual salary range is:

CA Minimum, $110,964

CA Maximum, $168,756

Job Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and recommend to management and to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), innovative, comprehensive, and environmentally acceptable transmission plans to ensure safe, reliable, economic and efficient operation of the electric transmission system.
• Participate in CAISO Annual Transmission Planning Process (TPP), and perform technical power flow and transient stability simulation analysis to meet all CAISO, NERC, WECC, and FERC compliance requirements
• Participate in the Base Case Development Process, review and develop electrical computer simulation models of transmission lines and substations for transmission planning databases
• Work with entities such as the CAISO and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on electric transmission planning projects and issues.
• Develop PG&E's annual Electric transmission Reliability Assessment and Electric Transmission Grid Expansion Plan reports.
• Support transmission interconnection studies for retail, wholesale load and generation customers.
• Develop Engineering Programming Computer Language (EPCL) , Python scripts enabled programs for computer simulation tools.
• Review electrical single line and operational diagrams for development of future plans
• Provide input and support to other internal departments on transmission matters such as transmission line relocations, distribution substation capacity increases, operations support, transmission transformer or conductor replacements and reliability upgrades.
• Actively foster a safe working environment for self and for fellow employees. Look for and act to resolve any unsafe situations.
• As required, actively participate in initiatives, workgroups, studies or industry forums that could impact the PG&E transmission system and support the inclusion of PG&E’s interests.
• Represent PG&E transmission planning at internal and external meetings and provide technical guidance on transmission planning issues.
• Participate in complex studies such as RAS design related studies.
• Mentor Associate and Entry level planning engineers.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited curriculum in the US or the equivalent from outside the US
• 3 years of experience in electrical engineering, planning and/or operations

Desired:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Knowledge of power system theory and analysis
• Knowledge of PG&E’s electric transmission system
• Knowledge of NERC and WECC reliability standards
• Experience in system operations, engineering, asset strategy, or system protection
• Perform technical computer power flow simulation analysis to forecast future system conditions.
• Experience with power system transmission analysis tools such as PSLF, PSSE, VSAT, TSAT, SSAT, TARA, ASPEN, EMTP-RV, PSCAD or other similar analysis software. 
• Experience in programming languages such as Matlab, Python, VBA, EPCL
• Experience developing and delivering technical presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• EIT/PE Certification, registered Electrical Engineer in California