Electrical Engineer, Transmission Planning (OH, PA, WV, NJ)

FirstEnergy at a Glance

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU]

Locations: OH, PA, WV, NJ

ONSITE 

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity
 

The Transmission Planning Engineer position is responsible for transmission planning functions across FirstEnergy's transmission and subtransmission systems in the FirstEnergy area.  The primary focus is on studying and planning the safe and reliable operation of transmission and subtransmission lines and substations.  In addition, the position is responsible for performing studies related to generation and load interconnections attaching to the system within the assigned planning areas.  The engineer will perform transmission planning activities with input from the operating companies, other utilities, generator owners, the Regional Transmission Organization, and Regional Reliability Organizations.  The position has the responsibility to initiate, recommend, and assist in the development of the capital portfolio for reliability related projects within the planning area of responsibility.  The position works closely with the Operations Center to provide support during storms, heavy loading periods, and abnormal system events.

Responsibilities Include:

• Providing technical support and studies to develop transmission and subtransmission infrastructure projects, plans, and capital budgets to maintain the reliability and integrity of the FE system.
• Performing timely completion of bulk and area transmission systems studies ensuring compliance with NERC, PJM and FE planning criteria.
• Proposing and economically justifying recommended mitigation projects to any planning criteria deficiencies identified through system studies.  If capital projects cannot be implemented in the needed timeframe, a detailed operating solution is prepared and presented to Operations for review and implementation.
• Performing development of annual capital budgets by requesting cost estimates and preparing presentations associated with the capital portfolio process.
• Performing studies associated with the connection of new loads, generators and merchant transmission projects.
• Providing support to the Operations Centers when required, such as during severe weather, heavy loading or abnormal system events.  Frequently this support requires rapid turn-around of an evaluation of whether the system can accommodate an outage and remain in a secure condition should the next contingency occur.  It could also involve operational recommendations to alleviate abnormal system conditions, abnormal voltages, or equipment overloads.
• Working with various industry groups to meet requirements / obligations that FE has within the industry, and actively promote FE ideas / methods / procedures that the industry should be using as it moves forward.  Formal industry groups include NERC, RFC and PJM.
• Preparing responses to state and federal commission requests for information
• Providing technical testimony for regulatory and legal inquiries as assigned
• Supporting efforts to prepare submittals for compliance related to various planning related activities.
• Participating in the annual maintenance of the department’s planning philosophy, facility connection document, and other procedures and documents.
• Preparing work products to meet requirements of various governmental agencies, such as public utility commissions, other state agencies, FERC, and other federal agencies, by providing input to filings as required.
• May be required to travel throughout the FE system and to other industry related activities.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET accredited institution is required.  Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program.. 
• A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate or Professional  Engineer’s (PE) License is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of Engineering experience is required.
• Proficient (or demonstrated capability to become proficient) in the use of power system analysis software such as PSLF, PSS/E,TARA and other related planning software.
• Demonstrate familiarity with PJM, RFC and NERC practices, procedures and requirements in the areas of transmission planning criteria and principles.
• Demonstrated abilities of effective analytical and reasoning capabilities, refined oral and written communication skills, including ability to effectively structure and confidently present information to peers, TPP management and executive leadership of FE.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team effort on assignments that may be broad in nature involving the compilation, preparation, and analysis of various statistical/analytical data, reports, statements, studies, or projects.
• Must adhere to FirstEnergy's Standards of Conduct and FERC compliance obligations.
• Must live within a 45 minute commute to the FirstEnergy service territory

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team