Transmission Planning Engineer

$110,964 - $168,996/Yr

PG&E - Oakland, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Hybrid - Oakland, CA

Utilities

About the position

The Transmission System Planning (TSP) department performs Interconnection studies, 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. This position is represented by the Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining. This position is responsible for providing technical support and transmission system reliability analysis that supports the development of transmission solutions for generation interconnection studies to meet California's RPS goals, CPUC's mandates and policy initiatives for generation, distributed generation and energy storage while meeting NERC compliance requirements. 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.

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 Generation Interconnection and Deliverability Allocation Procedure Studies (GIDAP), and perform technical computer power flow and transient stability simulation analysis to meet all CAISO, NERC, WECC, and FERC compliance requirements.
• Support/Lead the generation interconnection study deliverables supporting basecase creation, powerflow and transient analysis, mitigation development including coordinating of the schedule and deliverables with CAISO and Interconnection Customers.
• Perform long-term studies that develop strategy and comprehensive plan to ensure safe, reliable, economic, and efficient operation of the electric transmission system.
• Develop basecase assumptions and transmission system steady state and dynamic models for WDT and Rule 21 Tariff connected generation projects.
• Perform transmission planning studies for retail load interconnection and develop comprehensive plan to ensure safe, reliable, economic and efficient operation of the electric transmission system.
• Work with entities such as the CAISO and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on electric transmission planning projects and issues.
• Review and develop electrical computer simulation models of transmission lines and substations for transmission planning databases.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's 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.

Nice-to-haves

• 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.
• Previous experience with GE PSLF Program or similar load flow program.
• Experience in programming languages such as Matlab, Python, VBA, EPCL.
• EIT/PE Certification, registered Electrical Engineer in California.

Benefits

• Salary range: CA Minimum, $110,964; CA Maximum, $168,996.