Power System Engineer or Power System Engineer Senior (DER)

Job Description:

Power System Engineer or Power System Engineer Senior (DER)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
This position will be filled at one of the following levels depending upon candidate qualifications:


Power System Engineer:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, plus five (5) years of experience related to engineering.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.

Power System Engineer:

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, plus seven (7) years of experience related to engineering.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, the ability to obtain a Texas PE license within one (1) year of employment.

Notes to Applicants
Austin Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource ( DER ) Integration program is responsible for integrating and strategically implementing innovative DER technologies within the utility’s distribution system. As a DER Integration Engineer, you’ll engage with cutting-edge technologies, including micro-grids, standalone solar and energy storage, residential and commercial solar-plus-storage, Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems ( DERMS ), DER system protection, and other DERs, including non-inverter-based generation.

This position is ideal for engineers eager to tackle real-world challenges, grow within a collaborative team, and contribute to transformative energy solutions. Join Austin Energy in leading the transformation of its distribution system through innovation and teamwork.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

SALARY RANGE :
Power System Engineer: $42.26 - $54.94
or Power System Engineer Senior: $48.38 - $62.90

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION :

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please be sure to detail on the application ALL current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Resumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see resumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after seven (7) days from the date of the initial advertisement.
  • Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  
  
  

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT :

• This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.

IF YOU ARE SELECTED AS A TOP CANDIDATE :

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires a criminal background investigation ( CBI ).

WORK SCHEDULE :

• This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

TRAVEL :

• If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Pay Range
See notes to applicants

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Hybrid
• Shift may change according to departmental needs.
• Additional hours may be required to work outside of regular schedule.

Job Close Date 05/29/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 2500 Montopolis Dr. (SCC), Austin, TX 78741 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with Distributed Energy Resources ( DER ), control systems, SCADA , PLC programming, and communication protocols such as DNP3 or Modbus.
• Proficiency in reviewing and interpreting circuit maps, electrical drawings, control diagrams, and charts.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of communication protocols relevant to smart grid technologies.
• Willingness to travel to project and/or client sites.
• Experience with data analysis, visualization, and management tools.
• Experience with power system simulation software.
• Strong communication skills for client interactions, troubleshooting, and technical support.
• Experience coordinating technical projects.
• Innovative thinking for developing new solutions for integrating DER into existing grid infrastructure.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
This position is posted at multiple levels. Please select the appropriate job description. Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Power System Engineer
Power System Engineer Senior
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
This position is posted at multiple levels. Please select the appropriate job description. Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodation, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.


Power System Engineer
Power System Engineer Senior
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Power System Engineer require graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, plus five (5) years of experience related to engineering. Do you meet these reequirements?

• Yes
• No

* Please provide your PE license number and state of registration:
(Open Ended Question)
* Please explain your experience with Distributed Energy Resources (DER).
(Open Ended Question)
* Please explain your experience working with large data sets and data visualization tools, analyzing performance data, and documenting key findings in reports for grant or business purposes?
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have experience coordinating projects with vendors and internal work groups?

• Yes
• No

* Can you review and interpret circuit maps, electrical drawings, control diagrams, and charts for electrical facilities?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have a strong understanding of electrical engineering concepts related to power systems?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have experience with SCADA systems, PLC programming, and communication protocols such as DNP3 or Modbus?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have experience using software packages like AutoCAD, GIS, ADMS, ETAP, or similar for power system modeling?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents