Electric Utility Engineer

We’re looking for an Electric Utility Engineer. You will perform a variety of senior-level engineering, planning, design, protection, maintenance, operations, construction, and modification activities on the transmission, substation, and distribution facilities (115kV, 13.8kV, 12kV, and 4kV) serving LLNL’s Main Site and Site 300 (located Tracy, California). This position is in the Electric Utility Division within the Infrastructure Maintenance and Utilities Department. This position may require work at Site 300.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will

• Identify short and long-range electric utility system capability deficiencies by analyzing complex system component capability and projected load growth. Provide economic and timely solutions for system reinforcements to eliminate identified system capability deficiencies and to maintain LLNL’s electric utility systems service reliability and quality goals.
• Conduct electric utility system load-flow studies and economic studies to support engineering recommendations.
• Analyze electric utility system protection requirements and make protection scheme recommendations for transmission lines, substations, metal-clad switchgear, and distribution circuits.  Set and coordinate all protective relays and provide supporting fault-duty studies.
• Develop and implement electric utility system equipment maintenance and system operations procedures and standards.
• Review and approve electric utility system equipment test reports, as-built switchgear drawings, system one-line diagrams, associated system drawings, and switching orders to ensure system load parameters are within limits during abnormal circuit configurations.
• Monitor existing electric utility system parameters and provide engineering recommendations to maintain the system within allowable limits.
• Perform electric utility system arc-flash assessments and determine appropriate in-field personal protective equipment.
• Interact with colleagues, mid-level management, and customer representatives on matters requiring coordination across organizational lines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSS.4 level

• Lead technical teams in the development of detailed engineering designs and construction packages for electric utility system equipment upgrades and replacements.
• Perform project coordination duties and provide construction oversight for Electric Utility Division projects.
• Lead the review process for site-wide electric utility systems projects from initial concept through construction including design, code conformance (NEC, NESC, IEEE, ANSI, California State General Orders 95 and 128), LLNL safety and environmental standards, equipment specifications, and acceptance testing specifications.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (power systems concentration) or an equivalent combination of education and related experience, and ability to obtain professional registration as an Electrical Engineer in the State of California or reciprocity from another state within 12 months.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:  (1) electric utility substation and distribution system engineering, maintenance, and operations; electric utility distribution system switchgear; ability to read electric utility system drawings (one-lines, three-lines, schematics, etc.); (2) California Public Utility Commission General Orders 95 and 128, and other applicable codes and standards (IEEE C37, C57, etc.); National Electrical Code, NFPA 70E, and IEEE 1584; (3) electric utility system analysis software (SKM Power Tools preferred) to perform load-flow, fault-duty, protective device coordination, and arc-flash studies; experience performing engineering economic studies and making recommendations to management and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and experience using AutoCAD to prepare design drawings.
• Significant experience in electric utility system safe work practices in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), or OSHA, or company utility policies.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment with coworkers, engineers, electricians, administrative staff, project management, and construction personnel and present and explain technical information to management.
• Self-drive to perform, execute, and improve work and work practices for oneself, group, and the department.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.4 level

• Required professional registration as an Electrical Engineer in the State of California or from another state.
• Highly advanced experience preparing engineering designs and construction packages for electric utility system equipment upgrades and replacements.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively interact with all levels of scientific, technical, administrative, and management personnel and present, explain, and advise senior management and external sponsors on electric utility system engineering, maintenance, and operation issues.
• Significant experience overseeing project coordination and construction oversight of electric utility system projects.
• Significant experience working independently as well as leading teams to accomplish strategic goals. 

#LI-Onsite

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Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Site 300

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL.  Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis).

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.