Engineering Entry Program (EEP) Engineer

Join a diverse and dynamic team that makes and delivers the most valuable services in the world: electricity and natural gas.  At Consumers Energy, our customers are at the heart of everything we do.  Our employees work around the clock to provide service to our customers in honor of our history and to fulfill our promise to Michigan - Count on Us!  Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy and headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

At Consumers Energy, we are committed to creating and delivering reliable energy to our customers through sound engineering practices. The Engineering Entry Program (EEP) has been specifically designed to provide new or recent college graduates with the tools and experiences needed to successfully transition – and grow within – our professional engineering environment.

The Engineering Entry Program is a 2-year rotation-based, full-time position that exposes participants to a variety of roles within a defined area of focus, developing long-term technical and leadership skills, as well as provides mentorship and skill-building activities. The program structure offers 4 distinct 6-month rotations that offer both corporate and field-based assignments; individual experiences are defined by both our business needs and your strengths. The program also involves a comprehensive list of learning activities that will provide the EEP Engineer with an overview of the electric, gas, and generation segments within Consumers Energy.

Upon completion of the Engineering Entry Program (EEP), you will ‘graduate’ into a full-time placement in a position that balances your skills and knowledge, personal interests, and business needs.

JOB DESCRIPTION / RESPONSIBILITIES

The Engineering Entry Program (EEP) for Engineering specifically focuses on the engineering division of Energy Delivery (high- and low-voltage electric distribution) and/or Power Generation segments of Consumers Energy.

Due to the wide service territory at Consumers Energy, the Engineering Entry Program requires travel within the state of Michigan. Most assignments require visits to the field or other company locations beyond the assigned job location. By visiting field locations, EEP Engineers gain a better understanding of how their projects play a vital role in the company's daily operations.

Each rotational assignment has varying objectives and deliverables, but can include opportunities in:

• Customer & Service Infrastructure – High Voltage Distribution Planning
• Customer & Service Infrastructure – Long Range Planning
• Distribution Standards and Materials
• High Voltage Distribution Lines Design and Standards
• Instrumentation & Control, Design and Standards
• Low Voltage Distribution Engineering
• Substation Design and Standards
• System Control & Monitoring
• Plant Engineering
• Project Engineering
• System Engineering
• Gas Storage
• Gas Compression
• Project Management
• Other areas as business needs arise

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify, candidates must have or be obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program; December 2019 and May 2020 graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The following skills and experiences may set you apart from others:

• Knowledge of Electric Circuits
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to new assignments and projects
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills are critical
• Must possess the attitude and aptitude to learn new skills and concepts and adapt quickly to new situations
• Ability and willingness to work independently or as part of team in order to complete tasks
• Prior work and/or internship experience is a plus
• Strong self-motivation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Professionalism
• Customer-oriented focus
• Experience working with Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, including being able to create presentations and spreadsheets

Location of the position will vary depending upon assignment and travel within the State of Michigan will be required.

Essential Functions

Planning, design, construction, and maintenance of Electric and Gas Distribution and Electric Generation systems as well as facilities and ancillary support process for all utility operations. Duties and who this individual reports to will fluctuate between projects, Practice Areas, and offices. Individual possesses the skills lead, problem solve, and work well in a team environment.  Individual should exemplify safe work practices and follow the company’s compliance standards.  Lead and/or assist with engineering projects to include design, plans, inspections, system planning, specifications, reports, maps, environmental impacts, permits, contracts, schedules, estimates, surveying, easements, data collection, construction observation, and field investigation.  Provide engineering services with accuracy, integrating all applicable governmental and company laws, standards and procedures on time and under budget. Use computer assisted engineering, design, and drafting software and equipment to prepare engineering and design documents.  Understand and follow company established standard procedures for file structure and standard drawing procedures for projects  Become familiar with plans and specifications, maps, and related material for each project and be able to utilize the information appropriately.  Assists in client contact and communication.  Utilize effective oral and written communication skills to provide technical expertise to   coworkers, clients, customers, government entities and the public.  Public involvement may include producing reports, graphics, presentations, and other visual material as well as occasional speaking or meeting with stakeholders. Attend internal and external meetings.  Provide all engineering services in a legal and ethical manner. Resolve all customer complaints in a timely manner. Serve as onsite project representative.  Reviews operating and construction sites to monitor progress and other duties per the design documents.  Regular attendance is expected.

Hours and Travel

This position requires the individual work a minimum of 40 hours per week (45-50 typical) with 85% of time spent in the office or specific field locations. Travel is required to job sites and project meetings and could be significant dependent upon location.  Individuals need to be willing to work additional hours as necessary to meet deadlines or assist with storm restoration activities. Individual should be willing to participate in the on call rotation in case of potential storms. Individual may have to work outside of assigned headquarters to help with storm restoration which may require overnight stays Individuals must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to stand and walk for periods of up to and beyond eight hours in all kinds of weather; snow, mud, dirt water, ice, etc.  The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.   The employee must frequently lift and move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and move up to fifty pounds.  The recommended maximum weight for employees to lift without the aid of other employees or a lifting device is 35 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The noise level on the construction site is often loud.  Individual must have the ability to work up to 16 continuous hours during emergent work.