Purpose

Provides electrical engineering design expertise and project coordination for major generation plant electrical modifications, equipment testing, repair and installation; provides engineering support for multiple generation units and related equipment, including hydroelectric, photovoltaic, wind and gas turbine units, to ensure reliable and efficient unit operations and meet SMUD power generation requirements.

Nature and Scope

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts analysis of generation plants and operational data to identify system and equipment needs; provides designs to modify existing power house systems; performs detail design and analysis; supervises drafting of designs and modifications; prepares bid proposals and evaluates vendor bids; administers contracts supervises construction work.
• Plans, designs and specifies electrical protection systems and oversees system procurement, installation and testing; models electrical system protection schemes and recommends system settings; integrates new protection systems with existing systems and coordinates system operation and monitoring with System Protection and Control SPAC.
• Provides required engineering data, designs and specifications for procurement, contract award, planning and installation phases of generation plant modification projects; prepares engineering bid packages for new and replacement equipment with detailed specifications; coordinates with SMUD purchasing and vendor representatives to clarify material, equipment and quantity/pricing details; develops plans for installation of project equipment by outside contractors or maintenance personnel; coordinates project work with scheduling/dispatch to minimize the impact of installation and testing procedures on existing unit or power systems.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedules as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Builds and maintains positive internal work relationships and assists in the coordination of the Power Generation Department needs for major modifications and equipment replacement or overhauls; interacts with the department engineering group; provides contract administration and construction coordination on modifications and installations designed by the engineering group; develops plans for major overhauls with maintenance staffs.
• Coordinates engineering and planning of major equipment components scheduled for replacement during annual overhaul periods; oversees preparation of drawings; provides bid packages for equipment vendors to ensure completion of necessary components on schedule; coordinates test and inspection of components to ensure manufacture meets design specifications.
• Determines the operating limits and efficiencies of electrical generators and other powerhouse subsystems by developing test plans and procedures, including referencing historical data, industry standards and manufacturer specifications, and supervising and coordinating actual testing and data capture with operating personnel.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnoses generation unit or subsystem problems and provides engineering support to correct malfunctions and minimize costs of new and replacement equipment; maintains awareness of standard design criteria, including previous generation, existing and state-of-the-art equipment and methods; maintains databases and records on system and equipment performance, tests and past malfunctions to support timely, accurate problem identification; prepares bid packages which utilize state-of-the-art materials and fabrication processes; maintains documentation of procedures and applications for existing equipment repairs.
• Provides on-the-job training for department engineering staff on prevailing design methodologies, state-of-the-art equipment, generation unit operating efficiencies, controls, safety codes and proper electrical safeguards and other relevant information; reviews work of other engineers and provides feedback and advice; develops, maintains and orients staff to analytic tools, code requirements and design aids; provides consultation and expert advice.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, and guides work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines; follows established policies and precedents; communicates with team members and incorporates their input to processes and techniques; provides staff training; promotes staff safety and a safe work environment; assists in selecting and orienting new personnel; assists in evaluating work performance results; participates as a team member in accomplishing objectives; refers problems to higher level supervisory staff when solutions are not readily achievable.
• Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures and assignments.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge Of

Advanced electrical theory and electrical engineering design principles; advanced principles and practices involving the design, installation, operation, repair and economic evaluation of electrical features of a power system, including generation, station services, transformers, switchyards, high voltage transmission systems and integrated systems for control, protection systems, protection relays, measurement, regulation and operation; advanced principles and practices of generation and transmission systems operations; SMUD generation and transmission capabilities; inter-tie and interchange features of SMUD generation and transmission system; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing electrical codes and standards; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing and controlling work activities; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; techniques and concepts related to team management; principles and practices for motivating, coaching, mentoring, training and developing; basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skills To

Utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; collect, analyze and interpret test data; analyze data pertinent to electrical power systems; analyze power system operations; prepare technical specifications; read and interpret engineering documents and drawings; evaluate complex vendor bid submittals; estimate time, material, and labor costs for electrical engineering projects; plan, oversee and review the work of others; analyze and interpret regulatory codes and regulations; work effectively with outside regulatory agencies; establish, manage, monitor and update project budgets; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; operate office equipment including a 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.

Desirable Qualifications

The desirable qualifications for a Facilities Senior Electrical Engineer in the context of facilities management, particularly for mission-critical facilities, include the following:

• Professional Registration and Licensing:
  • Professional registration as an electrical engineer in the state of California.
• Building Electrical System Expertise:
  • Experience in building electrical system design, analysis, troubleshooting and maintenance activities.
  • Direct experience with the following systems UPS, lighting, lighting inverters, static switches, generators, ATS, battery systems, electrically operated breakers and controls,
  • Familiarity with systems such as fire alarm, and audiovisual, lighting, and building automation controls.
• Organizational and Management Skills:
  • Organizational skills and experience beyond electrical design.
  • Competence in project management, project engineering, and operations management.
• Development of Standards and Procedures:
  • Experience in developing standards of practices for electrical crafts and trades personnel.
  • Ability to create maintenance procedures for electrical systems and equipment to ensure longevity and optimal functioning.
  • Experience developing system documentation to include sequence of operations (SOOs), and methods of procedures (MOPs)
• Mission Critical Facilities Knowledge:
  • Experience in working with mission-critical facilities and understanding their electrical and mechanical infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with multiple critical facility systems, indicating the ability to collaborate across various engineering disciplines.
• Electrical Design and Commissioning:
  • Proficiency in various aspects of electrical engineering, including Estimating, Electrical design, Operation, Commissioning and Acceptance Test Procedure of switchgear, ATS, emergency power systems, control systems, power monitoring, and electrical protection.
• Short Circuit Coordination:
  • Experience in conducting and interpreting short circuit coordination studies to ensure proper electrical system coordination and protection. Electrical systems analysis, short circuit, coordination, arc flash analysis and labeling, load flow, voltage drop, etc.
• Software Proficiency:
  • Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint and Projects)
  • Experience with lighting design software.
  • Familiarity with electrical engineering software such as SKM, ETAP, or equivalent tools for system analysis and design.
  • Experience in load analysis at the operational level within a critical facility setting
  • CAD Software
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Expertise:
  • Experience with designing and implementing Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging systems.

These above desirable qualifications collectively indicate the comprehensive skill set encompassing not only the technical aspects of facilities electrical engineering but also project management, and standards development.

Physical Requirements