Planning Engineer

Overview

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC). NOVEC's mission is to create value for its members, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable electricity and quality products at competitive prices. NOVEC is a locally owned electric distribution system headquartered in Manassas, VA, serving more than 180,000 homes and businesses in multiple counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton.

NOVEC’s service reliability is among the best in the region with a 99.99% average system reliability. As a leader on the high‑tech frontier, NOVEC uses proven technologies to improve productivity and reliability, reduce expenses, and increase cybersecurity through a smart grid, fiber optics, and mobile workforce tools.

• Performs prudent planning, engineering, operational and economical studies and develops reliable and cost‑effective solutions to design, construct, and safely operate the electrical system.
• Develops technical standards, specifications, guidelines, and business processes for use by other departments; acts as a resource for technical advice.
• Assists in planning, organizing, and controlling the department’s activities in analyzing and proposing system improvements and new facilities.
• Independently takes initiative in identifying and developing solutions to address system constraints or areas for improvement with minimal direction from management.
• Issues well-justified recommendations for the annual capital budget to meet compliance, capacity, or reliability requirements.
• Uses engineering analysis software tools, models, and databases to identify needed projects and support project justification.
• Develops short‑range and long‑range plans for the electrical system including substations, transmission and distribution construction, and improvement projects.
• Independently designs electrical layout and interconnections for data centers, large commercial customers, and new subdivisions; determines system protection requirements and limitations.
• Develops new protective device settings to improve coordination and protection of the electrical system.
• Develops technical standards and guidelines for internal and external use; reviews construction work orders for adherence to plans, NOVEC policies, and safety requirements.
• Facilitates planning activities with management, principal engineers, developers, and government agencies to align load growth with proposed system improvements.
• Reviews outage data to determine system improvements and develop programs to correct outage causes; ensures accuracy of GIS and CYME models for organization use.
• Provides guidance to less experienced engineers and offers technical expertise and leadership daily.
• Interprets industry standards and regulations to support regulatory compliance efforts.
• Follows all Cooperative, OSHA, and VOSHA safety rules and practices; participates in HR policies and procedures as applicable.
• Engages in continuous professional development to maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art practices and participate in professional societies.

• The ideal candidate meets the qualifications below; candidates with related experience who may not meet all criteria are welcome to apply.
• Three (3) years of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field is required; a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
• NCEES EIT certification or Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.

• Ability to function independently in a multi‑task environment and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of company policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and mathematical skills.
• Proficiency with general computer operation and Microsoft Office applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to anticipate and meet rapidly changing customer and business needs; ability to realign strategic and operational direction as needed.
• Knowledge of Power Engineering and Planning concepts, industry…