Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Power Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

As a Power Engineer, you are the architect and guardian of our electrical grid's heart. You will apply your deep technical expertise to design, analyze, and enhance high-voltage power systems, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of electricity. This role involves everything from conceptualizing new substations and transmission lines to performing critical system studies that prevent outages and optimize performance. You'll be a key player in modernizing the grid, integrating renewable energy sources, and managing complex projects from start to finish. If you are driven by complex problem-solving and want to make a tangible impact on our energy future, this is the opportunity for you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graduate Electrical Engineer
Field Engineer (Power Systems)
Junior Substation Designer

Advancement To:

Senior Power Engineer / Principal Engineer
Engineering Manager (Power Delivery)
Project Manager (Capital Projects)

Lateral Moves:

Protection & Control Engineer
Renewable Energy Integration Specialist
Grid Modernization Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and engineer high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) electrical substations, including physical layouts, elevation drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
Perform comprehensive power system studies, such as load flow, short circuit analysis, transient stability, and arc flash hazard analysis using software like ETAP, PSS/E, or ASPEN.
Develop, calculate, and review protective relaying schemes and settings for transmission lines, transformers, and busbars to ensure system protection and coordination.
Manage the entire lifecycle of power engineering projects, from conceptual design and feasibility studies through detailed engineering, procurement, construction support, and final commissioning.
Prepare detailed engineering and construction bid packages, including equipment specifications for major apparatus (transformers, breakers), bills of material, and construction sequence plans.
Ensure all designs, drawings, and project activities comply with relevant industry standards (IEEE, IEC, NEMA) and regulatory requirements (NERC, FERC).
Conduct thorough site visits and field inspections to gather data, assess existing infrastructure, support construction activities, and troubleshoot complex equipment issues.
Provide expert technical support during the procurement, factory acceptance testing (FAT), installation, and commissioning of major power system equipment.
Develop and maintain comprehensive and accurate project documentation, including technical reports, complex calculations, drawings, and stakeholder correspondence.
Lead the technical review and approval of vendor submittals and drawings to ensure adherence to project specifications and quality standards.
Engineer the integration of renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) into the existing power grid, addressing challenges of intermittency and stability.
Create detailed project cost estimates and schedules, actively tracking progress and managing budgets to ensure projects are delivered on time and within financial constraints.
Perform root cause analysis of power system failures, faults, or disturbances and develop robust corrective action plans to enhance system reliability and resilience.
Mentor and provide technical direction to junior engineers, designers, and technicians, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence.
Conduct detailed grounding grid analysis and lightning protection studies to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment in substations and along transmission corridors.
Evaluate the condition of aging electrical infrastructure and develop long-term asset management strategies, including replacement, refurbishment, or upgrade recommendations.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to system performance and load forecasting.
Contribute to the organization's long-term data strategy and technology roadmap, particularly for grid modernization and smart grid initiatives.
Collaborate with business units, planning departments, and operations teams to translate future power needs into actionable engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, project review meetings, and other agile ceremonies within the engineering team to drive project velocity and accountability.
Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in power system engineering through participation in conferences, workshops, and professional organizations.
Prepare and present technical findings, project updates, and engineering recommendations to diverse audiences, including senior management, clients, and regulatory bodies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Power System Analysis Software: High proficiency in at least one major software package such as ETAP, PSS®E (by Siemens), ASPEN OneLiner, or CYME.
Substation Design: Deep knowledge of HV/MV substation physical layout, protection and control (P&C) design, schematics, and SCADA/RTU integration.
System Studies: Expertise in performing and interpreting load flow, short-circuit, transient stability, motor starting, and arc flash studies.
Industry Standards: Strong familiarity with key NERC reliability standards, as well as IEEE, ANSI, and NESC design and safety codes.
CAD & Drafting: Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar platforms for creating and reviewing one-line, three-line, and schematic diagrams.
High-Voltage Equipment: In-depth understanding of the specification, operation, and maintenance of transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, capacitor banks, and protective relays.
Project Management: Proven ability to manage project scope, schedule, and budget for complex engineering projects.
Professional Licensure: A Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred and may be required for senior-level roles.

Soft Skills

Analytical Problem-Solving: Ability to diagnose complex technical problems in power systems and develop innovative and practical solutions.
Effective Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for authoring technical reports, presenting findings, and collaborating with diverse teams and clients.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to reviewing engineering calculations, drawings, and specifications to ensure accuracy and safety.
Collaboration & Teamwork: A proven track record of working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, including civil, structural, and project management professionals.
Leadership & Mentoring: Ability to guide and develop junior technical staff and lead project teams toward successful outcomes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET-accredited university.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) with a specialization in Power Systems.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical Engineering
Power Systems Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-10 years of progressive experience in power system design, analysis, or planning within a utility, consulting firm, or heavy industrial environment.

Preferred:

Possession of an active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Direct experience in the design of 69kV and above transmission and substation projects.
Experience working directly with electric utility standards and procedures.