Electrical Engineer (LVD Planning Circuit Planner)

Join the diverse and dynamic team that powers Michigan's largest energy provider and one of the nation's largest gas and electric combination utilities.  Consumers Energy services 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents - caring for our friends and neighbors in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.  We embrace a cleaner and leaner utility vision focused on eliminating energy waste and adding renewable energy from sources such as wind and solar.

Location:

This position is assigned either to the Lansing Service Center.  Candidate must be within commutable distance from the location or willing to relocate (relocation package available for those who qualify).

We are looking for:   Electrical Engineer (LVD Planning Circuit Planner)

The Electrical Engineer is responsible for engineering and design to support the sustainable operation of our distribution, generation, and storage system. This role works with teams across the organization and external stakeholders and leads complex technical projects and may manage the work of lower-level engineers and technicians as required.

This position is within the Circuit Planning group for Low Voltage Distribution (LVD).  This group is responsible for the planning responsibilities for the electric distribution facilities. This position includes both office and field responsibilities for the performance of the electric distribution circuits. This encompasses electric planning, project management, reliability programs, customer concern resolution, and storm restoration responsibilities.

The type of work performed would be of a complex level of tasks of a technical/scientific nature, without direct supervision, as well as responding to complex customer inquiries (in person or via phone). The Circuit Planner’s responsibilities are comprised of two main areas of 1) Customer Advocacy and 2) System Planning and Performance solutions. Tasks include identifying and developing system planning and reliability improvement solutions, economic evaluation of planning and reliability solutions, preparing scope drawings for projects, analyzing system power flow (voltage and load), developing and coordinating load transfers plans, investigating and resolving customer reliability and voltage concerns, updating customers on the status of projects, and assisting in the Company's storm restoration process.

The knowledge and skills involved with this position include but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of applicable codes related to electronic engineering
• Proficient in design and calculation software
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of electric utility distribution planning, construction, operation, and maintenance
• Working knowledge of electric utility operation (i.e., generation, transmission, and distribution of three phase alternating current power)

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited university with two (2) or more years of applicable engineering experience
  • [OR] Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a non-ABET accredited university plus a Professional Engineering license with two (2) or more years of applicable engineering experience

In this role, you will be responsible for:  

• Distill multiple sources of technical and policy information and make decisions on complex system planning and system performance problems
• Anticipate the impact of actions and/or decisions on multiple systems and customers at large
• Follow standardized practices and procedures without guidance from higher-level employees
• Adapt and resolve issues utilizing creative thinking, investigation, and ingenuity beyond the normal practices and procedures
• Interact with internal and external clients, customers and crews giving and receiving complex information
• Convey projects scopes, timeliness, and resolve potential issues that may arise with others 
• Manage customer expectations when resolving complex system performance issues, as well as effectively sharing system improvement plans to customers at large
• Manages, communicates, and resolves customer complaints. Also, the selected candidate must be capable of training lower-level employees
• Design, control, and implement electrical systems and products Manage the development and implementation of electrical systems
• Designing, maintaining, implementing, or improving electrical instruments, facilities, components, equipment products, or systems for industrial, commercial, or domestic purposes
• Performing a wide range of engineering tasks by operating computer-assisted design or engineering software and equipment
• Collaborate with customers, coworkers, and others to discuss existing or potential engineering products or projects
• Ensuring that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements by preparing electrical systems specifications, technical drawings, or topographical maps
• Establishing construction, manufacturing, or installation standards or specifications by performing a wide range of detailed calculations
• Ensuring compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements by directing or coordinating installation, manufacturing, construction, maintenance, documentation, support, or testing activities
• Writing reports and compiling data regarding existing and potential electrical engineering projects and studies
• Preparing specifications for purchases of electrical equipment and materials and estimating material, labor, or construction costs for budget preparation
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary