Power System Principal Engineer - Transmission & Substation Protection Engineering

About This Position

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

The team is seeking a Principal Engineer to act as a subject matter expert in key areas, including: system protection studies, protection philosophy, protection system settings development, and regulatory compliance.

This position requires an engineer experienced in system protection engineering design fundamentals and challenges; providing mentorship and technical leadership to a team of engineers; possessing strong analytical skills and being a proven problem solver in both team and independent settings.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who works independently with minimal direction and a collaborator who can lead effectively in a team environment including cross functional engineering and non-technical staff.

Job Description:

Power System Principal Engineer

Purpose:

Under general direction, provides professional technical and specialized engineering expertise to assure delivery of services to customers, advancement of new technologies and processes, and/or development and maintenance of technical utility standards.

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.

• Develops technical specifications and standards by applying knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering discipline, including the methods, materials, equipment and techniques used.

• Plans, researches, designs, and implements engineering studies and projects and/or program areas by applying advance technical knowledge of engineering discipline.

• Manages and negotiates contracts by reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records.

• Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators or suppliers and City.

• Negotiates problems of changes, errors or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.

• Manages and monitors engineering projects for compliance.

• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets plans, specifications, contracts and other related documents.

• Develops and monitors project budgets and assists in developing, managing and submitting proposed budget forecast planning for short- and long-term city planning.

• Monitor projects for regulatory compliance and maintains knowledge of 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 provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

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 utility standards and regulatory requirements, 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) compliance requirements.

• Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.

• Knowledge of established engineering principles and methods.

• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the Local, State and Federal 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, or in a field related to the job, eight (8) years of experience in engineering, acquired either before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.

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 providing mentorship to develop other protection engineers

• 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/Grid Configurator

• 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

Other Qualifications:

• Ability to travel to multiple sites as-needed.

Notes to Candidate:

Note to Internal COA Applicants Only:

Current City of Austin employees MUST apply through the internal Workday Jobs Hub to be considered.  Applications received from the External Career Site will be disqualified.

Work 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)

Salary effective 09/20/2026:

$118,900 - $152,200 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

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.

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.

• 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 and NERC Personal Risk Assessment.

• Reference verifications or internal file checks (for internal candidates) are required.

Fair Labor Standards Act:

This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.

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.

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.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

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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 – that anchor our delivery of 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.

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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.