Principal Electrical Engineer

Job Summary

Location:

Detroit, MI

The Electrical Engineer III is responsible for the overall design, and technical oversight of new development projects, specifically in regard to electrical infrastructure, including low and medium voltage distribution systems, power generation assets, transformers, switch gear, protective relays, feeders, motors, and associated control systems. This role focuses on ensuring safe, reliable, and optimized system design functionality through sound engineering practices, equipment specification, quality assurance, and system‑level problem solving.

• Leading conceptual electrical engineering efforts, aligning industry practice with DTE preferences, and internal operations standards. As projects progress, oversee the engineering of record in the detailed engineering design, specification, and technical evaluation of electrical equipment such as MV switch gear, transformers, protective relays, motor control systems, and power distribution components.
• Overseeing the design, specification, and integration of power generation and backup generation systems, including gas turbines, reciprocating engines, and steam turbines.
• Developing sequence of operations, control logic, and system integration requirements for new and existing electrical systems.
• Ensuring that electrical studies (load flow, coordination, arc flash, reliability assessments) are current and compliant with applicable codes and standards.
• Providing engineering direction for capital projects, equipment upgrades, and system modifications.
• Supporting operations at existing facilities by diagnosing complex electrical or control issues and recommending engineered solutions.
• Collaborating with operations teams to align system design and performance with production needs while maintaining engineering integrity.
• Working closely with key emergency response vendors (electrical specialty contractors) to help diagnose and troubleshoot issues, identify root cause analysis, develop and implement corrective action plans.
• Working closely with plant managers to ensure energy reliability, system resilience, and customer satisfaction.
• Serving as the electrical technical resource for other company locations as needed, including due diligence reviews and emergency response support.

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on large industrial or utility distribution systems including protective relaying.

• Professional Engineer certification is desired.
• Ability to function within a matrix organization in which functional and business leaders have equal authority within the organization and employees report to both a functional leader and a business leader.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with both a functional and a business leader, who collaborates on employee issues and decisions (including performance management, compensation, and development).

• Occasionally stand or walk and stoop or kneel. Frequently, the employee is required to sit.
• Talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use wrists, hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion; and reach with hands and arms extensively.
• Occasionally lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight.
• Use computers with exposure to video display terminals; and some repetitive motion associated with data entry, the use of a computer mouse, and while using other office equipment.
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee performs job duties from a hybrid work-from-home and a climate-controlled office environment, with a moderate noise level. However, on an occasional basis the employee may be required to travel to project sites where noise levels and environmental conditions may vary.

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

At DTE Energy, we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging. We seek individuals with a heart for service, a passion to help our communities prosper, and ideas to help shape the future of energy. We are proud to be an equal opportunity, employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual…