Senior Electrical Engineer

Summary

SUMMARY

The Senior Electrical Engineer leads the planning, design, and delivery of power systems for energy and infrastructure projects serving Tribal communities and federal partners. The role develops basis of design documents, single line diagrams, protection and control schemes, and construction packages, and performs studies such as load flow, short circuit, coordination, arc flash, grounding, and reliability. The engineer integrates distributed energy resources, substations, and facility power distribution with utility interconnection requirements, and coordinates closely with civil, mechanical, and controls teams to ensure safe, constructible, and cost-effective solutions.

The position prepares clear technical reports and executive briefs, represents owners in technical discussions with utilities and OEMs, and supports interconnection, permitting, and commissioning. The Senior Electrical Engineer mentors junior staff, manages day-to-day technical work under assigned orders, and upholds rigorous QA and electrical safety practices while traveling as needed to project sites and Tribal communities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITSSalary Range: $80,000 - $95,000Comprehensive federal benefits package available to full-time employees, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan participation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as a leadership position within the Electrical Engineer functional Labor Category and provides expert support to the Government on electrical engineering issues related to the development and conservation of renewable energy resources.
• May be expected to perform supervisory responsibilities, reporting to the On-Site Lead and Project Manager, and is responsible for the day-to-day direction of technical work as required by specific work orders.
• Provides high-level technical advice and support to the Government and Tribal communities for renewable energy development programs.
• Evaluates the feasibility of planned projects from multiple viewpoints, including financial feasibility, technical viability, operational viability, and practicality.
• Supports a wide spectrum of renewable energy projects, including commercial- and local-scale development of solar, wind, biomass, waste-to-energy, hydro-electric, tidal, and geothermal resources.
• Critically reviews proposed leases and business agreements between Tribes and outside parties to ensure the Tribe maximizes income while providing for robust environmental and reclamation protections.
• Evaluates grant entries from tribal organizations, provides technical assistance to Tribes preparing grant applications, and is assigned grants to monitor throughout their lifecycle, ensuring compliance and successful project outcomes.
• Assists in renewable energy resource mapping by acquiring and displaying digital data from sources like the Department of Energy (DOE) on wind speeds, solar intensity, and geothermal potential.
• Provides engineering support for civil and architectural engineering methodologies applied to renewable energy projects, serving as a technical specialist and liaison between tribes, agencies, and commercial contractors.
• Makes formal and informal presentations to tribes, federal agencies, and the public on complex topics related to renewable energy development and project feasibility.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical Capacity: Strong power systems expertise across generation, substations, and facility distribution. Comfortable with medium and low voltage design, protection and control, relaying, grounding, lighting, and controls/SCADA. Familiar with integrating distributed energy resources, microgrids, storage, and renewable generation with utility requirements.
• Complex Problem Solving: Evaluates complex project options by balancing safety, reliability, constructability, schedule, and cost. Uses study results to recommend clear paths to value and to de-risk interconnection, phasing, and operations.
• System Studies and Design Mastery: Proven delivery of load flow, short circuit, protective device coordination, arc flash, grounding, harmonics, and transient studies. Leads development of basis of design, one-lines and three-lines, equipment specs, cable schedules, raceway plans, control schematics, I&C points lists, and complete IFC and as-built packages.
• Codes, Standards, and Compliance: Working knowledge of NEC, NESC, NFPA 70 and 70E, IEEE standards, UL listings, utility interconnection rules, and applicable federal requirements for projects on Tribal lands. Anticipates permitting and interconnection milestones and prepares compliant submittals.
• Tools and Data Mastery: Proficient with ETAP or SKM Power*Tools, CYME, PSS/E or PSCAD, AutoCAD or Revit, relay configuration software such as SEL AcSELerator, and spreadsheet modeling for estimates, schedules, and sensitivities.
• Stakeholder Liaison and Commercial Support: Acts as a technical specialist and liaison with Tribal leadership, government agencies, utilities, OEMs, EPCs, and contractors. Supports interconnection applications, rights of way and easements, equipment performance guarantees, and negotiations that require defensible technical exhibits.
• Quantitative and Economic Analysis: Applies study outputs and equipment options to life cycle cost and reliability tradeoffs. Provides inputs to pro formas and budget estimates that inform go or no-go, phasing, and procurement strategy.
• Communication: Produces clear calculation packages, specifications, drawings, reports, and executive briefs for audiences with varied technical backgrounds. Presents risks, mitigations, and recommendations in a concise, decision-ready format.

• Leadership and Direction: Provides day to day technical direction under assigned work orders. Mentors junior engineers and consultants, sets work plans and QA routines, and ensures deliverables meet scope, schedule, safety, and quality requirements. Supports FAT, SAT, energization, and commissioning with a strong electrical safety mindset.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must meet the following minimum requirement:
• A B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Master’s preferred in power systems, energy systems, or controls. FE required; PE strongly preferred or the ability to obtain within 12 months.

• 6-8 years of progressively responsible experience in electrical design for energy, industrial, or utility projects, including renewable generation, grid interconnection, and facility power distribution.
• Demonstrated success delivering power system studies and designs, including load flow, short circuit, protective device coordination, arc flash, grounding, harmonic and transient analysis, and system reliability assessments.
• Significant experience leading full lifecycle deliverables: basis of design, single-line and three-line diagrams, equipment specifications, cable schedules, conduit and raceway design, lighting and grounding plans, control schematics, I&C points lists, and construction packages through IFC and as-builts.
• Proven capability with substation and distribution design, medium- and low-voltage systems, protection and control settings, SCADA integration, and microgrid or distributed energy resource projects.
• Strong working knowledge of codes and standards, including NEC, NESC, NFPA 70 and 70E, IEEE standards, UL listings, and utility interconnection requirements; familiarity with FERC and NERC considerations impacting project scope and schedule.
• Experience representing owners in technical and commercial discussions with utilities, OEMs, EPCs, and permitting authorities, including interconnection applications, easements and rights-of-way, and equipment performance guarantees.
• Track record preparing clear technical reports, calculation packages, and executive-level presentations that translate tradeoffs, risks, and cost impacts into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders, including Tribal leadership and federal partners.
• Supervisory and mentoring experience directing junior engineers and consultants, establishing work plans, performing QA and design checks, and managing day-to-day technical tasks to meet scope, schedule, and quality requirements.
• Toolset proficiency with ETAP or SKM Power*Tools, CYME, PSS/E or PSCAD, AutoCAD or Revit, and relay configuration software such as SEL AcSELerator; strong spreadsheet modeling for estimates, schedules, and what-if scenarios.

• Field and commissioning readiness, including factory and site acceptance testing, energization support, start-up and turnover documentation, and commitment to electrical safety practices such as LOTO and job hazard analyses; willingness to travel to project sites and Tribal communities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position may be expected to perform supervisory responsibilities, including directing the technical work of junior staff as required by specific work orders, and reports to the On-Site Lead and Project Manager.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers. Work will primarily be performed at the DEMD facility in Lakewood, Colorado, with options for authorized remote work.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Normal business hours align with DEMD’s core hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required to meet project demands.

Travel Requirements

Travel is required to provide support at government or Tribal sites, attend meetings, conduct grant site visits, and represent DEMD at conferences. All travel must be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations (FTR).

Clearance/License Requirements

• A Public Trust clearance is required for this position. A minimum background investigation (NACI) is required for access to DOI facilities and information systems.
• Must maintain a valid Driver’s License and be insurable under the company insurance program.

Our Values: Native American Owned & Proud | Accountable | Team Focused | Innovative | Visionary | Excellence

AAP/EEO Statement Ho-Chunk, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status or physical disability. However, preference may be extended to persons of Indian descent in accordance with applicable laws.