Engineer - Substation Maintenance

What is an Engineer – Substation Maintenance?

The Substation Maintenance Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and operational excellence of Central Hudson Gas & Electric’s transmission and distribution substations. With deep expertise in substation equipment and operational systems, this position is pivotal in troubleshooting complex issues, optimizing maintenance practices, and supporting emergency response efforts. Reporting directly to leadership, you will collaborate extensively with Asset Management, System Operations, Field Crews, and Engineering teams, significantly influencing system reliability and performance.

What does an Engineer - Substation Maintenance do?

Equipment Performance and Reliability

• Oversees and optimizes the preventative and predictive maintenance programs for substation equipment.

• Initiates work orders, sources required equipment and parts, scopes corrective maintenance and repairs, and coordinates with manufacturers (if required) to ensure timely and effective resolution of maintenance.

• Conducts root-cause analyses for equipment failures and implements corrective and preventive actions to enhance asset reliability.

Equipment and Systems Expertise

• Provides specialized expertise on a wide range of substation equipment, including power transformers, circuit breakers, protective relays, switchgear, capacitor banks, and associated control systems.

• Conducts field troubleshooting and diagnostics, specifying necessary components or parts required to restore optimal system operation.

Operational Excellence and Safety

• Identifies and implements continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reliability enhancements, safety improvements, and efficient asset lifecycle management.

• Ensures all maintenance and engineering activities comply with industry safety standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements.

Emergency Response Support

• Acts as a critical technical resource during emergency operations, swiftly addressing and resolving substation equipment issues to minimize service disruptions.

• Collaborates closely with field crews and operations to restore service safely and efficiently during outages and emergency situations.

Collaboration and Communication

• Partners effectively with Asset Management, Engineering, System Operations, and Field Crews to ensure alignment on substation maintenance strategies and operational priorities.

• Clearly communicates technical concepts, maintenance plans, and equipment status to diverse stakeholders, fostering cohesive and informed team environments.

Technical Documentation and Reporting

• Maintains meticulous documentation of maintenance activities, equipment conditions, and performance histories using asset management systems such as Cascade.

• Generates and presents detailed reports on equipment reliability trends, maintenance effectiveness, and improvement recommendations to leadership.

What does it take to be an Engineer – Substation Maintenance?

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, nuclear or related engineering degree

• Demonstrated expertise in substation equipment and systems across transmission and distribution voltage levels.

• Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and optimizing substation equipment.

• Excellent communication skills, capable of clearly conveying technical information and engaging collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to learn new computer software programs quickly

• Must perform all tasks safely and design with safety in mind

• Dedication to continuous improvement

• Initiative to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment

• Flexibility to multitask and operate under pressure in a fast-paced work environment

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with innovation in mind

• Strong analytical, organizational and quantitative skills

• Valid driver’s license

Preferred:

• Prof