Sr. Distribution System Engineer

Performs professional technical and analytical functions in analyzing the performance of an assigned distribution system area and identifying corrective actions needed to ensure that the distribution system is configured to meet SMUD's short-, medium- and long-range needs in an efficient, cost-effective, and safe manner and is in compliance with SMUD's guidelines and applicable laws and regulations.

Serves as an advanced journey level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion; may serve in a Lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and developing lower-level personnel.

• Ensures a safe, reliable, and economical power service to customers and to meet SMUD's power needs; leads and performs complex distribution system planning and design including to monitor system planning and design; develops and maintains SMUD's distribution system maintenance philosophy; develops, maintains, and revises safety practices related to planning and operations.
• Ensures that SMUD's distribution system is configured and operated to provide the maximum output and the maximum operating flexibility within contractual, emissions, and other limits; conducts analyses of system performance and projected systems demands by forecasting electrical load growth, modeling and analyzing system impacts, identifying system deficiencies, recommending cost-effective corrective actions, performing work justification studies, producing annual work plans for capital and O&M expenditures, evaluating new technologies, and reviewing safety trends to identify areas for improvement.
• Ensures that projects and programs meet SMUD and other standards for cost-effectiveness, safety, and quality of power produced; provides high-level expertise and guidance by providing technical review of community projects and programs with potential SMUD-wide impact, reviewing co-generation proposals to evaluate system impacts, drafting interconnection agreements including required mitigation, evaluating the impact of distributed technologies including energy efficiency and dispersed generation, performing technical and economical analysis of distribution automation alternatives, identifying and recommending automation investments, and performing detailed analysis of power quality data and recommending and planning solutions to power quality related problems.
• Ensures the safe and reliable operation of the assigned distribution system and the achievement of SMUD's business objectives; performs and leads the performance of activities related to system protection by identifying and resolving difficult distribution system protection issues that impact distribution system performance and safety. analyzing system protection, operation, and electrical system configuration, preparing operating criteria that include system protection, reliability, safety, and economics, developing distribution system protection standards, guidelines and practices, evaluating the need for and conducting definitive distribution system protection studies, maintaining protection databases and documentation, developing and maintaining the distribution system inspection and maintenance programs, and performing root cause analysis to determine and correct the cause of system failures.
• Ensures that staff are trained and capable of meeting SMUD's performance expectations; assists in developing the required employee competencies by assessing employee skills and training needs, evaluating, selecting, and modifying training programs, developing and presenting technical training, arranging for and coordinating training conducted by others, facilitating the exchange of expertise and knowledge within the work group and with other work groups, and providing coaching and mentoring as needed.
• Assists in planning, reviewing, and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract; supports the overall achievement and completion of department projects.
• Performs related duties as required.

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Electrical Engineering or related field.

• Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, and operation of electric utility distribution systems.

SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs, and other special agreements; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, and overseeing work activities; methods and techniques for training staff; techniques and concepts related to teamwork; techniques for exercising leadership and authority; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and practices for negotiating; principles and practices of economic analyses of projects and programs; techniques and practices for resolving complex technical issues; complex computer systems and resources; electronic records; database administration; interrelationships between SMUD's operations and relevant external entities; principles, practices, and procedures related to power distribution systems; concepts and systems related to distribution construction, planning, operation, and maintenance including steady state and transient circuit analysis, electrical equipment design and application, grounding, protection and coordination; concepts and systems related to engineering analyses of reliability, power quality, root cause, and economic and systems data; computer-aided modeling and analysis; methods and equipment related to distribution system monitoring; theories and practices related to electric power system design; theories and practices related to electric distribution system planning; load data analysis and forecasting methodologies; policies, practices, and procedures related to distribution system maintenance; performance management techniques related to project management; principles and practices for contract management; procedures and practices for cost control and project scheduling; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; governing codes, industry standards, and generally accepted utility practices utilized in distribution system design and operation; budgeting processes, techniques, and tools; computer-aided modeling and analysis; vegetation management techniques; safety policies, practices, and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary standards.

Identify and assess training needs for staff; interact with others to influence and motivate; interpret SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs, and/or other special agreements; oversee adherence to safety policies and procedures; analyze complex issues and develop/implement resolution alternatives; analyze procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; analyze situations, documents, and data for conformance to established policies and procedures; apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations; appraise situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action; determine the potential long-term outcomes of a change in operations; develop an estimation of how a system should work under ideal conditions; evaluate and resolve complex technical issues; interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; organize highly complex and conflicting data in a readily understandable manner for various audiences; prepare a business case to weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; serve as reference person for other employees; serve as an expert witness in court; monitor and manage projects; perform complex technical engineering analysis and forecasting; use complex computer-aided modeling and analysis tools; write technical documents; assist in budget preparation and administration; perform engineering economic analysis; prepare conceptual designs and costs for major complex installations and reconstruction jobs; perform complex analysis of distribution system and facilities; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) license with the State of California.
• Significant experience in electric utility distribution system planning, operations, or engineering, including hands-on experience with system modeling, performance analysis, and forecasting load growth.
• Advanced knowledge of distribution system protection, reliability analysis, and integration of distributed energy resources.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a track record of effective project management and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Expertise in using complex computer-aided modeling and analysis tools to assess and optimize electric distribution systems.
• Strong skills in evaluating new technologies and recommending cost-effective solutions aligned with organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop work plans for capital and O&M projects, evaluate technical proposals, and conduct work justification studies.
• Experience in leading, training, and mentoring multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to assess training needs and develop staff competencies.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to a broad audience, both in writing and verbally.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and compliance with regulations and industry standards.