Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

About us

National Grid is hiring Engineers for our Electric Organization, with several positions based in Waltham, MA; Northborough, MA; Worcester, MA; or Hopedale, MA.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record put us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful, we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

Engineers at National Grid play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of our electric transmission and distribution systems. These positions involve developing standards, designing control systems, managing assets, and integrating new technologies. Engineers work across various departments to support construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical systems, contributing to strategic business objectives and regulatory compliance.

Key Accountabilities

1. Substation Standards

• Prepare and contribute to the development, technical content and implementation of National Grid's Substation Engineering and Design philosophy, standards, guidelines, equipment specifications and procedures; identify risks and put in place actions to ensure compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.
• Technical support provided to various departments including Engineering, Design, Operations, IT and Construction.
• Review single lines, elementaries, physicals (plans and elevations), conduit and cable schedules, lighting, lightning, bill of materials, etc. including manufacturers' drawings.
• Research and support the adoption of new and innovative technologies for the substation business, including support of pilots.
• Ability to perform calculations and studies (grounding, AC & DC system sizing, lightning protection, lighting, rigid bus design, etc.) to support substation standards design basis.

2. Transmission Planning and Asset Management

• Conduct analytical studies for transmission system expansion, interconnection of new generation, and load to the transmission system. These analytical studies should consider power system thermal, voltage, and reactive behavior, as well as transient, dynamic, harmonic, and short circuit performance as they relate to system reliability, economics, and operating flexibility.
• Perform thermal capability analysis (ratings) for transmission lines, power transformers, circuit breakers, switches, and surge arresters.
• Perform transfer limit analysis for transmission network interface.
• Perform all computer modeling necessary to conduct power flow and stability studies for Transmission Planning as well as other National Grid engineering functions; utilize a team approach to ensure consistent and thorough analysis in all Transmission Planning studies.

3. Distribution Planning and Asset Management.

• Assess the performance of the sub-Transmission and Distribution system performance regarding capacity and reliability and develop modernization plans as necessary.
• Conduct short- and long-term area studies and develop long term integrated/area plans for infrastructure development to meet National Grid's strategic objectives.
• Develop conceptual project plans that if implemented economically address identified T&D system needs.
• Provide technical support to internal and external departments for the application, operation, and maintenance of the electric transmission and distribution system.
• Evaluate co-generation interconnection requests for impact on the distribution system and develop plans for suitable connection.
• Resolve customer issues and operating problems, i.e., fault duty calculations, stray voltage, power quality, motor start, etc.

4. Electric Distribution Design, External Design

• Oversee external Design Consultant deliverables to insure proper distribution line design applications for Distribution Line Projects, as well as adherence to National Grid Construction Standards.
• Work with external Design Coordinator with the terms and conditions of a Master Service Agreement (MSA) to provide external design services.
• Develop and administer Project Document scopes for MSA design.
• Provide specific technical support to all external design firms with regard to design related issues.
• Must have specific design and construction knowledge of overhead, underground, URD, DOT, and telecommunications work.
• Act as liaison between National Grid and external design consultants.
• Must have working knowledge of work management applications (Storms and GIS).
• Develop strategic alliances with multiple Design and Construction vendors and support these initiatives by leveraging new technologies, applications, and work practices.
• Work closely with the Distribution Design /Operations Support groups to identify long-term design and construction requirements.
• Represent the External Distribution Design Department at various planning and scheduling meetings both internally and externally.
• Attend Design and Construction bid meetings as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Civil/Structural, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited school.
• Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT) or Engineering (PE) license is preferred for some roles.
• 2+ years of relevant engineering experience, with specific experience in transmission, distribution, or substation engineering.
• Working knowledge of industry standards, safety standards, and current design codes, especially the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
• Proficient Microsoft Office computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of relevant industry practice, standards and legislation including technical advancements
• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Willingness to travel for meetings, training, and conferences, including potential extended hours for emergencies or system events.

Technical Skills

Substation Standards

• Knowledge of substation practices, automation, digital communications, and control systems.
• Working knowledge of industry standards, safety standards, and existing electrical design codes including put not limited to: substation construction and maintenance practices, electric utility practices, substation materials and equipment, grounding and lightning study analysis, IEEE, ANSI, NFPA 70, ASTM, NEC, and NESC codes.

Transmission Planning and Asset Management

• Experience or thorough knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques in power flow, short circuit and transient stability analyses. PSS/E, MUST, ASPEN and/or PowerGem TARA experience preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast paced and competitive environment envisioned with FERC Order 1000
• Knowledge of power systems strongly preferred including: protection system operation and reliability philosophy, utility system practices, three-phase power system theory/operation both static and dynamic, short circuit theory/application, motor generation theory/application, reactive compensation theory, substation configuration/construction/maintenance techniques, transmission line configurations/design/maintenance techniques, outage planning, and congestion philosophy and analysis.

More Information

Salary: $101,000 - $119,000

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Internal candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.