Power System Engineer Senior (Protection Engineering)

Job Description:

Power System Engineer Senior (Protection Engineering)

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

This position serves in Austin Energy's Transmission & Substation Protection Engineering Group which is responsible for the system protection engineering of the Austin Energy transmission, substation and distribution assets.

The team is seeking a Power System Engineer Senior to contribute to the team in the following key areas: system protection studies, protection system settings development, and regulatory compliance.

This position requires an engineer with senior-level experience in system protection engineering design fundamentals, protection system challenges, engineering and compliance documentation, analytical skills and problem solving.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can work under general supervision and a collaborator who can work effectively in a team environment including cross functional engineering and non-technical staff.

Job Description:

Power System Engineer Senior

Purpose:

Plans, directs, and coordinates design of electric utility system facilities, including generation, electric substations, overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines, network systems, protection systems, supervisory control systems (SCADA), market operation and settlement systems, street lighting, and other electric system facilities.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Performs complex power system analyses, such as protective coordination, fault studies, load flows, service reliability, load forecasts, power quality, voltage stability, system expansion studies, and market operations.
  
• Prepares and reviews standards, equipment specifications, design procedures, and test procedures.
  
• Develops and prepares engineering designs, drawings, circuit maps, control diagrams, charts, databases, plans, and other documents for transmission and distribution systems, generation and substation facilities, market operation and settlement systems and SCADA/EMS.
  
• Provides technical expertise in materials, design, welding, equipment standards, relay coordination, technology or other areas related to the utility industry.
  
• Formulates, prepares, and implements operating and safety procedures and guidelines, and operating manuals for system facilities including substations, transmission, distribution, and generation.
  
• Prepares necessary reports to regulatory agencies.
  
• Assists in providing technical and financial inputs for projects in electric utility budget process.
  
• Identifies, investigates, and analyzes engineering design problems, and develops corrective actions.
  
• Provides technical leadership for major or complex engineering and construction projects, and works closely with field personnel to support project energization.
  
• Assists efforts to keep up with the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) standards and regulatory requirements.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations, such as generation, transmission, distribution and other related fields.
  
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
  
• Knowledge of engineering standards, principles, methods, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.
  
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
  
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the local and state ordinances and laws.
  
• Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.
  
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
  
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
  
• Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, plus seven (7) years of experience related to engineering.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, the ability to obtain a Texas PE license within one (1) year of employment.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in applying power system protection principles and relaying schemes for utility T&D systems.
  
• Experience in utility power systems analysis to perform system protection studies, develop protection schemes and relay settings.
  
• Experience using ASPEN OneLiner and SEL QuickSet.
  
• Experience in trouble shooting protection systems and mis-operation analysis.
  
• Experience with NERC reliability standards and ERCOT requirements.
  
• Experience reading protection and control drawings such as one-line drawings, AC/DC schematic drawings and wiring schematics.
  
• Ability to travel to multiple sites.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Salary Range:
$104,300 - $134,000 annualized, depending on qualifications and experience

Location:

4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin TX 78723

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)
Additional work hours may be required to support the 24-hour Utility operations, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, inclement weather and emergency closures.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Fair Labor Standards Act:

This position is classified FLSA Exempt. Exempt employees are salaried and are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Travel:
If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Critical:
This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-02-23