Electrical Engineering Lead Expert

EDP Renewables is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the fourth-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first-class assets, and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 28 markets.

Our company is part of EDP, a global energy group present in around 30 markets with a particular emphasis on renewable energies. With more than 45 years of experience, we have been consolidating a relevant presence on the world energy scene based on the commitment to be all-green by 2030, leading the energy transition. With more than 13,000 employees around the world, we are committed to using our energy and heart to drive a better tomorrow.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Electrical Engineering Lead Expert acts on behalf of the Engineering Department to ensure that the Electrical Engineering group provides consistent, high-quality, cost-effective, and timely deliverables and products for the construction of wind, solar and storage energy facilities.  Oversee, guide, and manage the work of third-party consultants. Additionally promote environmental stewardship and a health and safety-focused culture within the Electrical Engineering group. Additional responsibilities include providing support to operating facilities as needed.

Main accountabilities:

• Act as a subject matter expert regarding electrical engineering activities such as, substation design, transmission line design, interconnection switchyard design, and utility interconnection requirements
• Prepare electrical-related scope documents, exhibits, support budget efforts, specifications, schedules, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
• Interact closely with internal teams to ensure that project  electrical design as planned is reflected in the scopes of work and specifications and data sheets for the project
• Lead or participate in project meetings and conference calls
• Ensure the production of quality electrical engineering plans, studies, and specifications while ensuring compliance with department, project, company, utility,  regional electrical entity, and industry requirements and standards
• Expedite and support consultants’ document submittals, budgets, and schedules
• Participate in engineering design and construction review processes
• Lead and conduct value-added engineering studies of alternative design approaches for all aspects of the design
• Review electrical discipline calculations and equations including electric circuit calculations, 3-phase power and ampacity, impedance, sizing of conductors, calculation of losses, reactive power, verification of proper phase rotation, relaying calculations, short circuit calculations, Arc Flash studies, and sizing of overhead transmission lines and hardware
• Interpret plans, specifications, drawings, and documents related to engineering and construction
• Provide responses and clarifications for wind, solar farm, and storage electrical design reviews by independent engineers to ensure design suitability for project financing
• Direct and manage the work performed by electrical engineering consultants including collection system design, project substation design, generator lead line design, energy storage facilities, and interconnection facility design
• Ensure that health and safety needs are incorporated into all designs
• Coordinate project construction with Project Managers and Site Construction Managers to resolve critical and time-sensitive construction-related electrical issues
• Ensure that final construction documentation (i.e., “As-Builts”)  accurately reflects the installed facility and is complete for all project work
• Maintain active involvement in all phases of work related to electrical design
• Maintain active involvement in all phases of work performed by Civil Engineering and the Medium Voltage Managers related to electrical engineering design, including high-voltage substation location and generator lead line and medium-voltage collection system routing or electrical storage facilities
• Ensure that responses to Requests for Information and submittal reviews for projects under construction are provided in a timely manner
• Support as required Development Engineering to support the Development pipeline including providing preliminary high-level design drawings and HV facility siting support
• Provide internal review of interconnection studies, evaluate projected interconnection and impact studies, and assist with local utility meetings. Assure that final designs meets the project’s interconnection requirements
• Collaborate with Operations and Asset Management staff to ensure that designs capture operational experience and needs
• Direct new electrical design for existing facilities as needed due to regulatory issues, land owner issues, or project modifications
• Lead or assist with investigations of electrical-related issues at operational projects including root cause analysis as needed
• Support development of detailed compliance procedures for operating facilities
• Maintain contacts with consulting engineers and material suppliers
• Assist with the development of new electrical engineering guidelines and specifications and maintain and improve existing guidelines and specifications
• Ensure that lessons learned, cross platform design standards, and best practices are incorporated into project designs
• Provide support on meeting the requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and acts as a subject matter expert on regulatory documents such as Protection and Control (PRC), Facilities, Design, and Maintenance (FAC), and Power Factor and Voltage Support (VAR) standards
• Assist with electrical design updates to existing facilities as needed due to regulatory compliance issues related to FERC or NERC changes or to support Operations in plant modifications due to new equipment or project expansion
• Support preparation of compliance reports as required by NERC regional auditors
• Assist with updating of project documents that are NERC-related
• Additional duties as required

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• 10 years of design and engineering experience

• Utility-scale high voltage experience preferred

• Ability to manage the work of third party consultants and service contracts
• Professional Engineering (PE) licensure

• Comprehensive knowledge of transmission systems, medium and high voltage substation electrical equipment, underground distribution systems, dynamics and stability modeling of Power Pools, the Interconnection Request process, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, lightning protection, grounding grids, relay protection schemes
• Understanding of applicable industry standards and codes including Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), National Electric Safety Code (NESC), and ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

• Proficient knowledge of all applicable aspects of the electrical engineering discipline including expert knowledge in at least two subject matter areas
• Understanding of Microsoft products and/or complementing products preferred
• Competency in Analytical Problem Solving, Strong Communication, Customer/Partner Relationships, and Technology Expertise preferred
• Knowledge of Microsoft Project and/or Primavera preferred

Behavioral requirements:

• Strong level of initiative and ability to work unsupervised
• Strong organizational commitment and high attention to detail
• Strong leadership and time-management skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide engineering support on multiple concurrent projects
• Ability to plan, schedule, track, and monitor project progress
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills
• Ability to work successfully with a team daily in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Physical demands & working conditions:

• Sitting/Standing/Flexibility: Ability to frequently perform physical tasks including standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching while on project sites; ability to stand and sit for 8 or more hours when in an office environment
• Speech/Reading:  Ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently and deliver a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
• Lifting: Ability to lift items weighing up to 20 pounds
• Vision/Hearing: Ability to understand a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
• Safety: Ability to understand and communicate safety precautions when necessary
• Walking: Ability to walk several miles per day, including across unpaved and rough surfaces when on project sites

Equal opportunities for all
Our vision is that each person combines their unique characteristics and experiences to fulfill our mission of creating new energy for the planet. We are an inclusive employer, ensuring all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. We welcome and value all people, and we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging for each person who is part of the EDP group.

Need more reasons to apply?
As a top employer we:
Empower our employees through a positive and innovative work environment that promotes collaboration and agile decision-making;
Respect and value each person, providing a flexible, healthy, and inclusive workplace with a range of attractive benefits;
Provide a meaningful work experience and prepare our people for future challenges through different opportunities for development and internal mobility;

Our efforts have resulted in several distinctions over time, highlighting the EDP group's strong positioning and its dedication and commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent:
Top employer certification by Top Employers Institute
Part of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
Global certification as a family-responsible company by Fundación Másfamília
Top 100 Workplaces by Houston Chronicle

Discover our tips to enhance your performance during the recruitment process and apply until November 15th, 2024, if you think you are the right fit for this opportunity.