Transmission Planning Engineer

As the nation’s first statewide, “transmission only” company, VELCO manages the safe, reliable, cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont and as a part of the integrated New England regional network.

 

Why you should join our team

If you are an engineer who wants your work to have a lasting impact, there has never been a more exciting time to join VELCO. Vermont is at the forefront of the clean energy transition, creating unique opportunities for transmission planners to solve some of the most complex and meaningful challenges facing the electric industry today.

The work extends beyond Vermont. As the transmission link between New England, New York, and Québec, Canada, Vermont plays an important role in enabling regional energy transfers and supporting large-scale renewable energy development. Changing federal regulations, evolving reliability standards, and growing interregional coordination needs create opportunities to influence the future of power system planning on a broader scale.

How you will make an impact

This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving technically demanding problems, leveraging advanced planning tools, and translating complex analysis into actionable engineering decisions. You'll work with industry-leading software platforms and custom analytical tools while contributing to projects that have visible and lasting impacts on the region's energy future.

Develop and analyze transmission system improvement scenarios to maintain and improve the operation and reliability of the Vermont integrated transmission system as an integral part of the New England regional transmission system. The Planning Engineer will perform and document planning studies, such as load flow and stability studies, to ensure compliance with regional and national reliability standards. This individual will plan and conduct work requiring judgment in the evaluation, selection, and adaption or modification of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.

Responsibilities
The Planning Engineer will develop and analyze transmission system improvement scenarios to:
– enhance transfer capability
– integrate generation, electric demand and storage
– reduce losses
– simplify system operation, and
– improve the reliability, resilience, environmental sustainability and power quality of the Vermont integrated transmission system as an integral part of the New England regional transmission system.

Guide others (depending on expertise) in the performance of technical analyses of the transmission system, including related studies, such as evaluating transmission economics in support of the overall power delivery system.

Communicate in writing and verbally in a clear and effective manner with fellow engineers, management, other transmission utilities, system operators (ISO-NE, NYISO, etc.), members of the public and regulators.

Work collaboratively with other VELCO Departments and within study teams comprised of participating utilities and other affected/interested parties to develop solutions, including non-transmission alternatives, to system deficiencies.

Manage data organization and reporting to make valuable information available where needed in a comprehensive, coherent form.

Apply planning processes, procedures and standards for system model updates, system studies, reporting, and demonstrate compliance with planning standards.

Be a contributing member of the VELCO technical team, as well as provide technical information and advice, to ensure that the evaluation of system enhancements and other projects is performed with maximum efficiency and resource utilization.

Contribute to the improvement of procedures and templates with an appreciation for succession planning and greater efficiencies within the department and the company.

Who you are
Qualifications include a BS in Electrical Engineering or related engineering field and experience in the same field with electrical system planning applications. A Master’s Degree in Engineering or a specialized industry credential such as a Certificate in Power Systems Management preferred.

Experience
2 to 7 years of experience with electrical system planning tools, specifically PowerWorld, PSLF or PSS/E power flow and transient stability. Critical thinking and complex problem solving skills as they relate to electrical system planning modeling as well as efficient programming skills in C variants, Python, Visual Basic, etc.) are requirements.

Knowledge/Skills
This role requires a proven ability to maintain strict adherence to procedures and policies designed to maintain reliability and safety in critical systems and to ensure planning is conducted consistently throughout New England. The ability to scope and review transmission projects, with proven ability to assess, develop and communicate model requirements is essential. Superior communication skills are critical as this role will interface directly with a variety of stakeholders. Self-motivation, innovation, and organization are essential.


Physical/Mental Demands
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to travel to various meeting sites.

*** Relocation assistance available***

 

Compensation Range: 

$90,916.80 - $109,100.16 - $127,283.52/salary 

This compensation range represents the minimum, midpoint and maximum pay for this position. Individual offers will be based on various factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, education, skills, competencies, and experience. Please note that most offers for new employees fall under the midpoint of the range, allowing room for continued salary growth.  Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package, which may also include comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off and incentive compensation (bonus) potential.