Electric Distribution Engineer III

Electric Distribution Engineer III

This job is eligible for relocation assistance to Colorado Springs.

Are you seeking variety in your work as a professional electrical engineer? This may be the opportunity for you! Our Electrical Distribution Planning team ensures the reliability, operations, performance, and grid modernization of our 12.5kv and 34.5kv electric distribution systems serving over 500,000 customers across Colorado Springs. As an Electric Distribution Engineer, you'll have opportunities to gather and analyze system data; propose and recommend system improvements; conduct forecast studies; influence standards; manage highly visible projects; and use industry-leading modeling software to guide the improvement of our distribution system.

What Else Will You be Doing?

• Performing circuit analysis reviews for loading, phase balancing, voltage, reactive power, protection coordination, and contingency planning using Synergi-Electric modeling software
• Providing operational support for power quality, reliability, voltage concerns, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), and contingency or loading issues across the system
• Coordinating line protection devices including reclosers, line fuses, and interrupter switches as well as developing logic for and analyzing data from various electronic devices to include power quality meters, RFI locating devices, and controllers for automated transfer schemes
• Gathering and analyzing system data including age and reliability performance data to support preventative and corrective maintenance programs and proposing system improvements and reliability project recommendations
• Participating in a 24/7 standby rotation approximately one week per month to support Operations, and performing investigations for electrical contacts (standby compensation provided)
• Supporting long-term small area forecast studies and strategies that incorporate considerations of capacitor placement, distributed energy resource (DER) placement, electric vehicle (EV) saturation, and demand side management (DSM) programs to optimize asset usage using LoadSEER forecasting tool
• Developing system improvement projects with a study plan including assumptions, results, alternatives analyses, and cost estimates to support capital budget preparation
• Providing design reviews, technical training, and project support to Field Engineers and other internal stakeholders
• Supporting the electric distribution planning, protection, and design guides with criteria analysis for electrification, DER, EV, and general improvements

Who You Are

• Demonstrated experience in electric distribution system planning, operations engineering, system protection, power systems design standards, or a related area
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering is required
• Possession of an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license is valued
• Experience using Python, Synergi-Electric, etap, LoadSEER, and/or ASPEN modeling software (or an equivalent) is highly desired
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver's license is required - the essential functions of this job require operating Colorado Springs Utilities' vehicles
• Ability and desire to communicate effectively with field personnel, as well as lead, mentor, and train junior-level engineers

Our Commitment to Our Employees

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We do not just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month.  Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the m