This contract Electrical Engineer position will work within the TPPA (Transmission Reliability Planning) at Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). This position will provide professional engineering expertise in assisting project managers and other engineering personnel in developing projects and other related engineering activities.
An ideal candidate would have the ability to analyze and develop complex electrical Plans of Service using the latest techniques and applicable standards, participate and perform effectively in a project team environment, effectively manage multiple work assignments and changing priorities, and skill in oral and written communication to effectively fulfill stakeholder/customer/team requirements.
Responsibilities
With oversight and approval from the BPA manager or other authorized federal staff:
supports preparation of power system models for reliability analysis, including analysis historical SCADA data, modification of generation, transmission and load model components to represent appropriate study scenarios, updating oneline diagrams, contingency definitions, and simulation setup files for Power World Simulator.
develops, validates and implements power system models in transmission system studies, including computer models for loads, generators, the Pacific Direct Current Intertie (PDCI), Static VAR Compensators (SVC), and other control devices.
performs power system simulations that include power flow, voltage stability and transient stability studies on large-scale power system including analyzing and interpreting study results to identify problems and potential solutions.
develops plans for modification and expansion of the BPA transmission system to reinforce flowgates, interties and load service areas to meet transmission system needs for load growth, existing transmission service obligation, interconnection requests for generators, lines or loads and long-term firm transmission service requests
assesses transmission system performance against NERC/WECC/BPA reliability standards and criteria. Identifies near term and long term BPA Transmission system problems and develops plans to mitigate such problems and strengthen the system to meet the NERC reliability standards and WECC and BPA reliability criteria.
Confer with engineers, internal customers, and others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects and products.
Draft electrical drawings, reports and calculations to support the engineering solutions chosen for electrical systems.
Facilitate significant work components such as drafting the Project Requirement Diagram (PRD) and filling out the Project Initiation Document (PID) within large projects.
Compose technical reports that are concise and clear. Present complicated technical information to technical and non-technical groups including reviewing technical reports from other utilities.
Develop project requirements diagrams (PRDs), obtain estimates, prepare business case documents, as necessary, for Main Grid, Intertie, Area Service, resource integration, system reactive and miscellaneous capital additions. Conduct economic studies to evaluate project alternatives including risk assessment.
Present appropriate sizes and ratings for high voltage equipment including transformers, transmission lines, shunt and series capacitors, shunt reactors, breakers and switches on a variety of projects, including Main Grid, Intertie, Area Service, resource addition, reactive addition and replacement projects.
Coordinate expansion projects with regional and sub-regional organizations and follows the Planning Process explained in Attachment K under FERC Order 890.
Support Asset Management strategy and goals and develop BPA's Asset Plan for transmission expansion.
As a technical expert, provide consult and training to teammates.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from an ABET accredited college/university in electrical engineering or closely related engineering field is required.
5+ years electrical engineering experience is preferred
Experience should include knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to components and facilities found on a regional transmission system.
Knowledge and understanding of performance characteristics of power transmission equipment and correct representation of power system networks for analyzing transmission system performance and creating project requirements diagrams (PRDs), including transformers, transmission lines, switches, power circuit breakers, reactive support devices, generators, communications and relaying equipment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Vancouver, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $47.00 - $52.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Vancouver,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 29, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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