Fire Mitigation Engineer 3/Senior

Summary

 As a Fire Mitigation Engineer III/Senior Engineer you'll play a critical role in advancing APS's wildfire and fire mitigation strategies to improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of the electric grid. This position serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert, applying advanced engineering knowledge to evaluate complex challenges, develop innovative solutions, and guide strategic decisions that help reduce fire risk while maintaining reliable service for Arizona communities. Through collaboration, technical expertise, and continuous improvement, you'll help strengthen the grid and support APS's commitment to safe and reliable energy delivery.

What Your Day Would Be Like

• Lead the evaluation of fire mitigation and system protection technologies, benchmarking industry practices and identifying innovative solutions that enhance grid safety and resilience.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams, field personnel, and stakeholders to ensure sound engineering practices and effective implementation of mitigation measures.
• Analyze complex distribution system performance, protection coordination, and wildfire risk data to develop engineering recommendations that improve reliability and reduce fire risk.
• Support strategic planning and investment decisions by applying risk-based engineering principles to balance wildfire risk reduction, operational performance, regulatory requirements, and customer impact.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on fire mitigation initiatives, industry best practices, regulatory activities, and continuous improvement efforts. May also provide guidance and mentorship to other engineering professionals.
• Work with a high degree of independence where evaluation is primarily focused on long-term results and outcomes.

Who We’re Looking For

• Extensive knowledge of electric distribution systems, system protection, relaying, reclosers, fuses, and protection coordination principles.
• Experience performing and reviewing protection studies, analyzing system performance, and developing engineering recommendations that address complex technical challenges.
• Strong understanding of wildfire and fire mitigation strategies, engineering standards, applicable codes, safety requirements, and industry best practices.
• Proven ability to apply risk-based decision making, evaluate complex engineering issues, and develop practical solutions with long-term operational impact.
• A collaborative technical leader who can influence decisions, provide mentorship and guidance to other engineers, and effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in the utility industry, with Professional Engineer (PE) licensure preferred.

This role may require shift work and occasional overnight travel.

Minimum Requirements

Engineer III

• A four-year Bachelors degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Engineering degree must be from an accredited College of Engineering Program. (A four-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree is not considered directly equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.  Equivalency may be considered based on a review of the degree program curriculum, subject to approval by Engineering department management.)
  
• Plus five (5) years experience in Engineering-related positions
• A relevant Masters degree in Engineering may substitute for one (1) year of required experience. 

Senior Engineer

• A four-year Bachelors degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Engineering degree must be from an accredited College of Engineering Program. (A four-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree is not considered directly equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.  Equivalency may be considered based on a review of the degree program curriculum, subject to approval by Engineering department management.)
• Plus eight (8) years experience in Engineering-related positions.  
• A relevant Masters degree in Engineering may substitute for one (1) year of required experience.  

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:

• Problem analysis/resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, standards, practices, methods and safety standards in the area of applicable engineering discipline.
• Experience in the utility industry.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.

Major Accountabilities

1) Develops and applies unique solutions and applications to a broad range of technical issues and problems (solutions that typically require original and creative approaches).  Makes decisions and recommendations that have a moderate to significant effect on the overall organization performance.   

2) Prepares complex engineering plans, designs, analysis, specifications, cost estimates, evaluations, studies, technical reviews, investigations and verifications.  Ensures engineering analyses, design, project control, schedule commitments or oversight work is technically sound, cost effective, and in compliance with established standards, codes, and regulations.  Checks and reviews analysis, evaluations, and investigations of others. 

3) Integrates the many interrelated elements of complex projects that are broad in scope, require considerations not previously encountered and requires interpretation and/or modification to guidelines.  Complies with design, regulatory, operating and maintenance requirements.  Identifies potential schedule or quality problems and initiates corrective action.

4) Interfaces with customers and other departments to ensure project objectives are understood and that work scope meets customer requirements, budget and schedule.  Contacts customers and various levels of management to obtain or present technical data.  Presents the results of designs, studies projects (in terms of new techniques) or approaches to subordinates, colleagues, management and customers.

5) Provides technical guidance, leadership and support to less experienced engineers.  

6) Assists the organization in problem solving, as needed, by critically challenging assumptions and decisions to ensure the most optimal solutions and strategies are implemented.  Assists in developing long-range strategies for significant site problems. 

7) Leverages industry and organization resources to resolve key technical issues.  Develops a path forward to address these issues including bridging strategies.  May interface with outside agencies and regulatory authorities.

8) May plan and coordinate programs and large-scale engineering projects or multiple medium-scale projects while acting as a technical specialist for a specific engineering field.  May be responsible for:  all aspects of work scope; directing consultants; conducting feasibility studies; determining staff, cost estimates and resource requirements; and recommending engineering criteria. 

9) Monitors projects and recommends modifications to increase operating efficiency and /or reviews design and documentation of complex projects to ensure compliance with design specifications, schedules and any regulatory requirements.  May develop, negotiate and manage contracts and contract revisions. 

10) May research new developments and technology and make recommendations to management on their feasibility for Company operations.  

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.