System Electrical Engineer (I, II or Senior)

Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers.
At Platte River, we share a sense of purpose and pride in the value we add to our communities, our region and the energy industry. We rely on our staff to sustain our leadership role in the region and to help us work toward our goal to achieve a 100% noncarbon energy mix within the next decade. To accomplish this, we offer competitive pay and benefits, state-of-the-art workplaces at both headquarters and the Rawhide Energy Station, and the following unique benefits:

• Onsite, fully-equipped gym facilities
• Fleet cars for use by staff for local business travel
• Employee rewards, health and financial wellness programs
• Volunteer days and opportunities to participate in community events
• Culture of respect, commitment and camaraderie

If you're searching for a collaborative working environment within a mid-sized organization that values innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and provides opportunities to make a difference, consider joining the Platte River team.
Job summary
This position is responsible for the detailed design, coordination, and construction of Platte River's 115kv/230kv substation. Level I engineers work under direct supervision to provide support as assigned. Additional responsibilities that increase in complexity and scope are assigned with progression to higher levels. Platte River has one opening to hire a system electrical engineer at the I, II or senior level.
Applications requested by: Thursday, November 7 at 5 pm MT.
Work hours and environment
This position may be eligible for hybrid workdays and is expected to live within a commutable distance of Platte River's headquarters campus in Fort Collins. Schedule flexibility is offered with the expectation that core areas of responsibility maintain adequate support and coverage.
Performing job duties requires light or minimal physical effort that may include standing, walking or work involving light objects and light hand tools. Occasional hazards are predictable and well protected against. There is potential for exposure to hazardous conditions that could lead to workplace injury such as working in heights or exposure to energized electrical equipment.
Essential duties and responsibilities

• Models the mission, vision, values, and culture of the organization.
• Creates and updates electrical control, relaying one and three lines, and AC/DC relaying schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Creates, updates, and reviews relay setting.
• Conducts system fault studies.
• Performs system fault disturbance analysis.
• Conducts AC/DC electrical function testing.
• Designs Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) installations.
• Creates physical designs such as substation plan and section views, foundation layout, ground grid design, conduit layout and sizing design.
• Develops specifications, cost estimates, cash flow, budgets, and schedules for substation design projects.
• Assists with development of the annual capital and O&M budgets for the engineering department.
• Conducts substation construction inspections and commissioning.
• Leads other staff or contractors as appropriate to assist with troubleshooting or implementation of changes.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities
The following are required:

• Ability to read and understand design criteria, specifications, cost estimates, cash flows, budgets, and schedules.
• Level II & Senior level: Knowledge of design and construction of transmission lines and/or substations and protection systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, listening).
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) programs.
• Ability to apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent decision-making skills, with consistent attention to detail.
• Level I: Ability to establish work priorities with help from supervisor and work under minimal supervision on assigned tasks.

The following are preferred:

• Knowledge of project management fundamentals.
• Knowledge of SEL relay settings and applications.
• Knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards.
• Understanding of NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI design and construction codes.
• Experience with Orion and/or General Electric RTU's such as the D20MX and D400 series.
• Proficient in other software such as Aspen OneLiner, MathCAD, AutoCAD or similar software to perform engineering responsibilities.
• Knowledge of distribution substation design and construction.

What you'll need to qualify
Required criteria

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an accredited four-year college.
• Current valid driver's license and ability to remain insurable on a corporate vehicle liability policy.
• 2+ years of engineering design experience (5+ years for senior level engineers).
• For level II placement consideration: Engineer in Training (EIT) certification.
• For senior level placement consideration, one of the following:
  • Professional Engineering (PE license;
  • Master's degree related to Platte River's core business (e.g., MS, MBA, ME);
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Preferred certification, knowledge or experience

• Level I engineer: Completed electrical engineering internship within the utility industry.
• Proficiency in PLS-CADD software and transmission line engineering.
• Knowledge of distribution substation design and construction.
• Experience with Orion RTUs or General Electric RTUs (e.g., D20MX, D400 series).
• Knowledge of SEL relay settings and applications.
• Experience conducting system fault studies.
• Experience performing system fault disturbance analysis.

Pay
This is a salaried, exempt position; salaries are paid bi-weekly. Factors used to determine actual salary may include specific skills, years of experience, education and certifications.
System electrical engineer I:

• Anticipated hiring range: $83,842 to $100,631 if annualized.
• Full pay range: $83,842 to $117,420 if annualized.

System electrical engineer II:

• Anticipated hiring range: $105,060 to $126,175 if annualized.
• Full pay range: $105,060 to $147,084 if annualized.

Senior system electrical engineer:

• Anticipated hiring range: $129,162 to $148,550 if annualized.
• Full pay range: $129,162 to $187,357 if annualized.

Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefits offered for this position may include the following:

• Health insurance options including a PPO and high deductible health savings account with prescription drug coverage
• Telemedicine
• Benefit advocacy
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending plan
• Basic life insurance
• Basic accidental death and disability
• Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options (voluntary)
• Accidental death and disability insurance (voluntary)
• Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement plans 401a defined contribution plan 457b deferred compensation plan
• Paid holidays (12 annually)
• Paid time off: personal and sick leave
• Wellness program
• In-house training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program

For additional information, please see our website careers page at:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Platte River endeavors to make our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please call us at 970-229-5323 or email
Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Platte River cannot provide employment to applicants who will require sponsorship now or in the future (i.e. H1B visa, OPT status).