Electrical Engineer

Responsibilities

• Drive long‑term system strategy, shaping the future of BPA's grid technology and developing roadmap for our software suite.
• Architect advanced grid applications, coordinating technical requirements for the control‑center tools dispatchers use to match generation with load and run real‑time simulations.
• Serve as the go‑to technical advisor, providing expert guidance to senior colleagues and BPA leadership on complex operating platforms and application suites.
• Bridge physical hardware and SCADA monitoring software, ensuring telemetry accuracy and alignment of substation equipment with real‑time grid health displays.
• Innovate next‑generation operational tools, designing and deploying creative software solutions to make daily grid management safer and more efficient.
• Lead external collaborations and vendor management, translating operational needs into technical specifications, evaluating proposals, and managing development contracts and rigorous testing.
• Safeguard critical infrastructure, designing and implementing robust cybersecurity protocols that meet federal reliability standards.
• Represent BPA on the regional stage, attending conferences and working groups, collaborating with organizations such as WECC to align tool deployments across the Western Interconnection.

• You must be a United States citizen.
• This employer participates in the e‑Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• You will be required to report in person at the official duty location.

• After employment, the position may be subject to periodic physical examinations as prescribed by a competent medical authority, at BPA’s expense.
• The position requires a PUBLIC TRUST background; a preliminary background check is required before the start of employment.

• Basic Requirement – Engineering Degree:
  • Degree in engineering from a school accredited by ABET, or
    • a program that includes differential and integral calculus and advanced courses in at least five of the following areas: statics, dynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, hydraulics, thermodynamics, electrical fields and circuits, materials properties, optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
  • OR a combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates
    • a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering;
    • practical understanding of engineering sciences and techniques applicable to one branch of engineering.
  • Professional registration or licensure as an EIT/PE, or
    • proof of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, or
    • completion of at least 60 semester hours of relevant courses that meet the ABET criteria.
  • Related curriculum (e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics) accepted with at least one year of professional engineering experience under supervision.
• Specialized Experience Requirements:
  • At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑12) in the federal service, involving:
    • Assisting with multi‑functional development projects in software analysis, design, development, and implementation for new or enhanced systems;
    • Investigating, evaluating, and selecting tools and methods to improve productivity and software quality throughout the life cycle;
    • Assisting in ensuring thorough testing, documentation, and security certification before deployment.
  • Volunteer experience (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) may be credited if it demonstrates relevant competencies.

• BPA is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.

• Applicants may request reasonable accommodation for medical or religious reasons. Contact the staffing specialist for assistance.
• Requests for accommodation for USAHire competency‑based assessments must be submitted before completing the assessments.

Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Information about telework opportunities is available upon request through the agency’s personnel office.

Contact details are provided on the official BPA website for further information regarding benefits, telework, and selection process.