Supervisor, External Design Engineering

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU].

The Supervisor, External Design Engineering requires an individual to be self-directed with a strong ability to manage substation design over a number of projects being worked on by multiple external design groups. This position requires an in-depth understanding of substation design requirements, specifications, and standards. The position will oversee a staff of external engineering leads coordinating with external design firms engaged in a wide variety of substation design projects from the request for project estimation through construction and record update. This position will report on the progress of design projects and advise of any issues that could impair the successful completion of the project on a proactive basis. This position must provide technical support and training to external engineering leads and external design personnel, verifying that no safety standards are compromised, checking for accuracy, monitoring engineering expenditures to ensure projects stay within budget allocation and meet the required in-service date.

This position can be located in Akron, OH, Reading, PA or Greensburg, PA.

Responsibilities include:

• Assigning and supervising external engineering leads and their projects with external design firms. 
• Reviewing and approving substation project cost estimates prepared by external firms.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all external firms.
• Utilizing and developing direct reports’ skill-sets to support departmental needs across the FirstEnergy organization.
• Evaluating substation ratings and requirements, and project schedules to facilitate accurate engineering.
• Supporting communication across external firms as well as internal business units regarding project needs.
• Working with outside consultants, vendors, and equipment manufacturers.
• Ensuring specifications and standards are up to date and accurate.  Reviewing against industry peers, manufacturers’ best practices and industry standards.
• Participating in industry meetings to confirm FirstEnergy has a voice in direction of industry (i.e. IEEE, EPRI, etc.).
• Supporting and sustaining FirstEnergy as a high performing organization by contributing to excellent organizational performance and values of FirstEnergy through responsible effective work performance.
• Conducting design reviews at manufacturer’s facilities and plant audits as necessary.
• Conducting test witnessing at manufacturer’s facilities as necessary.
• Supporting work crews during construction including office work and field visits.
• Appearing on behalf of company at local public zoning and planning committee meetings, and at outside organizational events like EPRI and NATF.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE or BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License (2) a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor’s program.
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience is required.
• In lieu of a degree, a Professional Engineer’s (PE) License is required, with 10 years relevant experience.
• A professional engineering (PE) license is preferred but not required.
• Related experience includes engineering, supervision and mentoring others, experience with substation design sufficient to assure compliance with FirstEnergy engineering practices, engineering standards, budget practices, field practices, equipment specifications, and maintenance practices.
• Effective supervisory practices, effective planning and budgeting is required.
• Working knowledge of applicable computer software necessary to fulfill job duties including but not limited to Microsoft Office.  Knowledge of FileNet, SAP, AutoCAD Inventor, AutoCAD Electrical, and Cascade a plus but not a requirement.