Electrical Engineer - Hydropower, Assistant Vice President

Be one of the first applicants, read the complete overview of the role below, then send your application for consideration.

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a full-time Electrical Engineer - Hydropower, Assistant Vice President for our Seattle, WA office.

The following locations will also be considered : Boston, MA or Portland, OR.

Be involved in projects within our Clean Energy Business Line and be a part of a rapidly expanding group that provides trusted advisor and engineer of record services to Hydropower and Utility clients throughout the United States.

This position directly advances our clients responses to Climate Change by supporting the owners and operators of clean hydro power and the integration of other renewable energy resources.

The Candidate will work with a multi-disciplinary team to efficiently design facilities and systems to support power generation, control, and interconnection services for hydropower and related energy projects.

The Candidate will assist in the preparation of cost estimates and project proposals. The engineer will work with generation owners and operators to advance the field and develop new technologies and solutions for energy generation, storage, and transmission systems.

The engineer will serve as a subject matter expert nationally for the design, operation, and maintenance of cutting-edge generation equipment.

This is a fantastic chance to work with a dynamic team within the premier engineering firm that is leading the field in hydropower, pumped storage, and the integration of solar and batteries, and wind generation throughout the United States.

Your days will be a mix of working from home or the office, and field trips to the nation’s majestic mountains and rivers.

Your Impact

• This position is accountable to provide the design activities in accordance with all applicable codes and standards, including all WSP’s policies and procedures, such as Safety, Environmental, Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
• Delivery of accurate and thorough designs that will meet industry standards and specifications and meet good engineering practice with excellent constructability.
• Conduct on-site inspections or desktop analysis to assess existing generation and interconnection systems and to identify and recommend appropriate changes and improvements to operations and / or systems.
• Design of electrical generation facilities, specifically governor and exciter upgrades, and new turbine installations; as well as industrial pumps and reversible pump-turbines.
• Prepare project specifications for material and equipment purchase and installation.
• Review of internal and external designs for code compliance, good design practice and constructability.
• Resolving site queries, attending site meetings, and performing site inspections during the construction phase of projects.
• Maintaining complete project documentation with respect to generation system design and construction, including all completion packages, as-built requirements and return data information.
• Making and maintaining appropriate commitments to project teams and coordinating design activities with multi-disciplined project team members.
• Maintaining good working relationships with material suppliers, contractors, and any others that affect the quality, schedule, and cost of projects.
• Maintaining good working relationships with internal groups that support projects.
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Discipline and Task Lead assignments.
• Develop a client base for providing high level electrical engineering services including identifying additional business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and practices.
• Remain current with regulatory agencies and other bodies with jurisdiction over electrical power generation facilities - including the Bonneville Power Administration, WECC, CAISO, etc.
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines, other engineers, planners, and hydropower authorities on Tribal, Federal, State, regional, and locally funded projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant post education experience in engineering discipline and prior electrical design experience.
• Engineer license required (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, California, Nevada, or Montana preferred).
• Strong knowledge of modern electric power systems, generators, exciters, and governors; power system protection; and transmission & distribution systems.
• Strong knowledge of applicable industry standards including the National Electric Code (NEC), National Electric Safety Code (NESC), and IEEE.
• Ability to perform independently and in a team environment and maintain project ownership.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., CADD, Aspen, ETAP, WIN IGS or CDEGS), study and modeling software (PSSE, PSLF for RMS powerflow studies and PSCAD for EMT studies), advanced technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and other tools.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• Interpretation of relay documents and Protection & Control design drawings.
• Strong understanding of SCADA design, IEC61850 and DNP3 protocols.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees effectively, persuasively, and tactfully at all levels of the organization.
• Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA / QC (may involve Inventor, AutoCAD electrical, Bluebeam Revue, and other software).
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug / alcohol and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
• Candidate must undergo pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Experience working in consulting firms and hydro, solar, wind, biomass, and thermal projects.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.

WSP Benefits :

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave;

paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and / or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (Seattle, WA) : $134,000 - $227,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.

WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and / or federal law.

J-18808-Ljbffr