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Summary/Job Function
This position will report to the Substation Maintenance Engineering team under the Standards, System Health & Maintenance organization and is based in Tualatin, Oregon at the Avery Regional Service Center. This role is focused specifically on the substation maintenance program for all Portland General Electric-owned switchyards and substations.
As a substation maintenance engineer, you will be assigned different levels of ownership of multiple substation apparatuses depending on how your skillset balances with the depth and breadth of knowledge of the existing team. For example, some of the apparatuses the team is responsible for are cables, capacitors, circuit breakers, lighting, switches, switchgear, and transformers. As an apparatus owner you will be responsible for all engineering recommendations related to that apparatus. You are responsible to support and enhance the corrective, preventive, or condition-based maintenance programs for your associated apparatuses managed through our Computerized Maintenance Management System (Maximo). Part of your time would be dedicated to responding to field support requests, sometimes urgent, along with regular visits to substations across the service area and in rural areas where our generation facilities and transmission substations are located.
Career Level Summary
Senior: Career
Requires in-depth knowledge and experience
Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services
Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions
Works independently, receives minimal guidance
Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience
Principal: Specialist
Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise
Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices
Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions
Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
May lead functional teams or projects
Key Responsibilities
Senior:
Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and provides guidance and direction on engineering processes and standards to colleagues when requested.
Supports substation improvements with extended knowledge of maintenance engineering principles and local codes and standards. Applies knowledge to investigate, identify and clearly define substation problems and deliver engineering improvements on proposed equipment and systems. Provides technical guidance and support to other engineers and contractors.
Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects, coordinates multiple discipline activity.
Develops and provides quality assurance reviews of maintenance engineering solutions that meet technical requirements, all applicable codes, regulatory requirements and follow sound engineering practice.
Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects, including representing the team to interdepartmental and external (regulatory) stakeholders.
Plans, develops, and coordinates projects with complex design, construction, operation, maintenance, or testing elements in support of substation maintenance engineering projects; provides accurate capital budget and job estimates.
Serves as a technical specialist and provides consultation/guidance to project teams in a particular practice area; actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring; implements resource management strategy.
Develops and delivers training of other engineers and crews on operations and maintenance practices and requirements. Provides and coordinates updates on critical safety and reliability topics to operations personnel. Participates in industry-related events for the purposes of benchmarking and learning about best practices.
Principal:
Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and discerns the need for and provides guidance and direction to colleagues on engineering processes and standards.
Leads substation improvements with extended knowledge of maintenance engineering principles and local codes and standards. Applies knowledge to investigate, identify and clearly define substation problems. Provides technical guidance and support to other engineers and customers. Provides expert technical guidance on reliable, cost-effective maintenance solutions to contractors and other engineers.
Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects, including establishing work plans to be applied.
Develops and provides quality assurance reviews of complex engineering solutions that meet technical requirements, all applicable codes, regulatory requirements and follow sound engineering practice.
Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on complex projects, representing the team to internal and external stakeholders (i.e., regulatory, technical society, etc.).
Leads projects with complex design, construction, operation, maintenance, or testing elements in support of substation maintenance engineering.
Actively advances knowledge management of the enterprise and provides mentoring; participates in professional societies and technical committees and may assist with code/standard authoring; is externally recognized in the industry as a technical expert; reviews engineering work, resolves resource conflicts and identifies training needs.
Develops and delivers more complex training of other engineers and crews on operations and maintenance practices and requirements. Provides and coordinates updates on critical safety and reliability topics to operations personnel. Implements best practices from benchmarking with peers across the industry.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Certifications
Senior: Requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. ABET accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred. Five or more years in engineering, or four years in engineering with a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred.
Valid Driver's License required.
Principal: Requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from. ABET accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred. Eight or more years in engineering.
Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred.
Valid Driver's License required.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Senior/Principal:
Advanced/Expert knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
Advanced/Expert understanding and application of engineering processes and procedures; intermediate knowledge of other related departments and functions.
Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.
Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
Advanced/Expert knowledge of construction feasibility.
Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
Advanced knowledge of process, procedures for project controls and estimates.
Intermediate/Advanced knowledge of physical electrical and control and protection substation design.
Advanced ability to review, evaluate and analyze technical information, policies, and reports.
General Competencies:
Senior/Principal:
Advanced accuracy skills.
Advanced knowledge of the utility industry.
Advanced organization and prioritization skills.
Advanced decision-making skills.
Intermediate written and oral communication skills.
Advanced individual and group presentation skills.
Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands
Cognitive Level:
Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks
Ability to follow accuracy standards
Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization
Demonstrates sound memory
Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Schedule/Attendance:
Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
Ability to work long hours
Ability to work a variable schedule
Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
Ability to work shift schedule Ability to work on-call schedule
Physical Capabilities:
Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Frequently (at least once a week or more)
Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lbs.
Carrying: Up to 10 lbs.
Unstable surfaces requiring balance:
Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces)
Environment - Indoor/Outdoor:
Office
Plant
Field
Compensation Range:
$99,975.00 - $197,375.00
Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.
PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here (https://portlandgeneral.com/hrcs5511) .
Join us today and power your potential!
Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.
PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.
To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.
August 28, 2025
