Engineer II or I - Transmission Planning Coordinator Assessments

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business, and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans for selection, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: This position may not be performed remotely from California or New York City, NY, nor can SPP sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

• Engineer I Pay Range: $80,000 - $87,000
• Engineer II Pay Range: $90,000 - $99,000

Overview

The Planning Coordinator Assessments Engineer performs engineering studies and assessments that support transmission system planning, reliability requirements, tariff requirements, and stakeholder needs. This position analyzes power system data, evaluates transmission system reliability, and provides technical information to support planning decisions and recommendations.

The role works collaboratively with engineers, internal teams, and stakeholders to complete engineering studies, address technical issues, and support compliance with applicable regulatory and organizational requirements. Responsibilities and technical independence increase with experience and position level, ranging from foundational engineering analysis under guidance to independently conducting defined studies and coordinating assigned projects.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform engineering studies and assessments supporting transmission system planning, system reliability, tariff requirements, and stakeholder needs.
• Conduct power system analyses using applicable engineering methods, analytical tools, models, and established procedures.
• Collect, review, and analyze engineering data, study assumptions, and results to identify issues and support technical recommendations.
• Document engineering methods, assumptions, results, and conclusions, and prepare technical information and study deliverables.
• Apply applicable reliability standards, tariff provisions, planning criteria, and organizational procedures to assigned engineering activities.
• Identify technical issues, potential compliance concerns, and changes to governing requirements that may affect assigned work.
• Coordinate with internal teams and stakeholders to obtain information, communicate study results, and incorporate feedback.
• Participate in technical meetings, stakeholder discussions, and engineering projects to support departmental objectives.
• Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, analytical methods, tools, and work products.
• Demonstrate SPP's Culture, Mission, and Core Values while following organizational policies and procedures.

Additional Responsibilities by Level

Engineer I

• Perform assigned engineering analyses using established methods and procedures while developing foundational knowledge of transmission system planning, power system analysis, and applicable software tools.
• Identify data inconsistencies, unexpected study results, or potential compliance concerns and work with more experienced engineers to determine appropriate resolutions.
• Apply fundamental engineering judgment to routine assignments, seeking guidance when issues exceed established practices or assigned authority.
• Support stakeholder coordination and progressively develop the knowledge and independence needed for increasingly complex engineering assignments.

Engineer II

• Independently perform defined engineering studies, power system analyses, and technical assignments using established engineering methods and tools, with limited supervision.
• Exercise intermediate engineering judgment to investigate technical issues, resolve routine problems, and recommend solutions within assigned authority.
• Plan and coordinate assigned projects, technical deliverables, and stakeholder activities to meet established schedules and objectives.
• Facilitate technical discussions, support working groups and committees, and perform staff secretary responsibilities when designated.
• Support complex engineering studies led by experienced engineers, contribute to process improvements, and share technical knowledge with less experienced team members.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, this degree should:
• Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation),
• Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
• Engineer I - No experience required
• Engineer II – 2 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) License.
• Graduate degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Familiarity with power system analysis concepts, methods, or software.

Engineer I

• Internship, co-op, academic project, or other experience involving power systems, transmission planning, electrical engineering, or related engineering analysis.
• Familiarity with applicable electric industry reliability requirements or transmission planning practices.
• Engineer-in-Training certification or eligibility for professional engineering licensure.

Engineer II

• Experience with power system analysis involving steady-state, dynamic, short-circuit, reliability, or related engineering studies.
• Practical understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria and the SPP Committee structure.
• Experience applying electric industry reliability standards, tariff requirements, organizational criteria, or similar governing requirements.
• Experience supporting technical working groups, committees, or stakeholder activities.
• Experience coordinating or managing defined engineering projects.

Other Requirements

• Ability to communicate technical information effectively in written and verbal formats.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with engineers, internal teams, stakeholders, and other personnel.
• Ability to use applicable office, communication, and data-analysis software and tools.
• Ability to organize assigned work, manage priorities, and meet established deadlines.

Engineer I

• Strong inter-personal and team work skills along with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Practical understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria and the SPP Committee structure.
• Foundational knowledge of engineering principles and analytical methods.
• Ability to analyze data, identify issues, and apply established engineering methods to assigned problems.
• Ability to learn power system planning concepts, engineering analysis methods, and applicable software tools.

Engineer II

• Intermediate knowledge of engineering principles and analytical methods applicable to assigned responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of electric power systems and transmission system planning concepts.
• Working knowledge of power system analysis methods applicable to assigned studies.
• Ability to independently perform defined engineering analyses and resolve routine technical issues.
• Ability to interpret technical information, identify issues, and apply engineering judgment to develop solutions.
• Ability to learn and effectively use power system analysis tools, engineering software, and data systems applicable to assigned responsibilities.
• Good working skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, Access, and time keeping, as a minimum.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires moderate travel (approximately 0-10%).

SPP is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, SPP makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - SPP