Electrical Studies Engineer

Westwood Professional Services - Minnetonka, MN

Full-time

Minnetonka, MN

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking an Electrical Studies Engineer to join our renewables team. An electrical studies engineer at Westwood plays a pivotal role in the design and optimization of utility-scale renewable plants, including wind, solar, and battery storage facilities. The focus of the electrical studies engineer is on performing comprehensive electrical system studies, ensuring compliance with interconnection requirements and seamless integration of renewable assets into the power grid. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients. In this role, you will work closely with lead design engineers and clients to develop electrical models and studies that support the project design process. You will be responsible for developing detailed system models that accurately represent the plant in design and perform a variety of studies, including short circuit and effective grounding, load flow and reactive power, harmonics, insulation coordination, power and energy loss, concentric neutral induced voltage, arc flash, grounding, lightning risk assessments, and transient studies for switching and overvoltage. Additionally, you will produce written reports conveying study results within the project schedule and coordinate with internal project leads and project managers, as well as external clients, owners, and related engineers. Your role will also involve reviewing the work of others performing similar studies to ensure product quality prior to client submission. This position requires a detail-oriented individual with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to quality and compliance. You will be expected to be a supportive team player, capable of working effectively in cross-functional teams and managing relationships with external vendors and stakeholders. A positive and supportive attitude is essential, as is the ability to work independently without the need for constant oversight.

Responsibilities

• Work with lead design engineers and clients to develop electrical models and studies to support the project design process.
• Develop detailed system models that accurately represent the plant in design and perform a variety of studies, including short circuit and effective grounding, load flow and reactive power, harmonics, insulation coordination, power and energy loss, concentric neutral induced voltage, arc flash, grounding, lightning risk assessments, and transient studies for switching and overvoltage.
• Produce written reports conveying study results within the project schedule.
• Coordinate with internal project leads and project managers, as well as external clients, owners, and related engineers.
• Review the work of others performing similar studies to ensure product quality prior to client submission.

Requirements

• Approximately 3 - 5 years of experience in electrical plant design and system studies.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power Systems, or a substantially similar field having a power systems focus, from an accredited institution.
• Experience and knowledge of utility-scale renewable energy systems, including wind, solar, and battery storage plants, with an emphasis on system design and grid integration.
• Good working knowledge of common electrical system studies, including short circuit, load flow and reactive power, and others.
• Working knowledge and proficiency with electrical engineering modeling software such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory (preferred), ETAP, PSCAD, SKM Power*Tools, PSSE, PSLF, or similar software for performing detailed system modeling and simulations.
• Must have a strong command of the English language and an ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing without the need for significant editing by others.
• Must be detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to quality and compliance.
• Must be a supportive team player, capable of working effectively in cross-functional teams and managing relationships with external vendors and stakeholders.
• Must have a positive and supportive attitude who is interested in being part of a growing team.
• Must be self-motivated and capable of working efficiently independently without the need for constant oversight.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power Systems, or a substantially similar field having a power systems focus, from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency with DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD, WinIGS, and/or CDEGS.
• Proficiency with Python and/or VBA.