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Principal Electrical Design Substation Engineer

Portland General Electric
United States, Oregon, Tualatin
Jan 15, 2026

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven't stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We're always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

As an Electrical Design Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute substantially to supporting capital substation project, developing and maintaining substation standards and equipment specifications, applying professional knowledge of engineering processes and industry standards. You will develop engineering solutions that meet technical requirements, all applicable codes, and regulatory requirements while following sound engineering practices.

A successful candidate will have knowledge of engineering and economic principles, as well as advanced accuracy skills and written and oral communication abilities. In this role you will be designing substations and battery energy storage projects. This role offers exciting challenges in designing cutting-edge electrical systems for substations, allowing you to shape the future of energy infrastructure.

You'll be at the forefront of implementing clean energy solutions, contributing directly to PGE's mission of providing reliable and sustainable power to millions of customers.

Key Job Information

Principal Electrical Design Substation Engineer 6339

Grade 8

Career Level: P4

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Standards: All Engineering Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and discerns the need for and provides guidance and direction to colleagues on engineering processes and standards.

Engineering Standards: Substation Design Subfunction Provides technical guidance on and reviews complex substation standards and equipment specifications (e.g., power circuit breakers and circuit switchers from 15kV through 500kV, distribution and bulk power transformers, transmission and distribution capacitor banks, medium-voltage metalclad switchgear, high-voltage air-break disconnect switches and gas-insulated switchgear and substation control enclosures); serves as primary contact for major equipment, including knowledge of technological advances.

Engineering Production: All Engineering Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects, including establishing work plans to be applied. Develops and provides quality assurance reviews of complex engineering solutions that meet technical requirements, all applicable codes and regulatory requirements and follow sound engineering practice.

Engineering Production: Substation Design Subfunction Leads the development and review of complex electrical engineering designs (e.g., electrical physical designs, electrical control designs, substation automation and SCADA designs, equipment specifications); provides technical support and guidance to colleagues, department, organization and companywide; analyzes complex electrical studies; determines design requirements to assist construction activities for more complex projects and determines project requirements and scope for more complex projects; coordinates completion of as-built drawings and reviews those of less-experienced colleagues.

Project Coordination: All Engineering Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on complex projects, representing the team to internal and external stakeholders (i.e., regulatory, technical society, etc.).

Project Coordination: Substation Design Subfunction Leads complex design analysis and recommendations for substation facility enhancements or expansions; ensures engineering stakeholders' project requirements are incorporated into the project design in a complete and accurate manner and provides advanced engineering support and guidance to wireman crews and technicians on complex designs.

Knowledge Sharing: All Engineering Actively advances knowledge management of the enterprise and provides mentoring; participates in professional societies and technical committees and may assist with code/standard authoring; is externally recognized in the industry as a technical expert; reviews engineering work, resolves resource conflicts and identifies training needs.

Knowledge Sharing: Substation Design Subfunction Provides input and review/approval of technical training for department and company training; provides technical training to department and company through internal training program.

Education/Experience/Certifications

  • Education Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.

  • Experience Typically eight or more years in related field.

  • Certifications, Licenses and Training Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred; may be required based upon role.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Functional Competencies

  • Expert knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.

  • Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.

  • Expert understanding and application of engineering processes and procedures; intermediate knowledge of other related departments and functions.

  • Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.

  • Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.

  • Intermediate knowledge of construction feasibility.

  • Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration.

  • Advanced knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.

Competencies: Substation Design Subfunction

  • Advanced knowledge of physical electrical and control and protection substation design.

  • Advanced ability to review, evaluate and analyze technical information, policies and reports.

General Competencies

  • Advanced accuracy skills.

  • Advanced knowledge of the utility industry.

  • Advanced organization and prioritization skills.

  • Advanced decision-making skills.

  • Intermediate written and oral communication skills.

  • Advanced individual and group presentation skills.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive

  • Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks

  • Ability to follow accuracy standards

  • Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks

  • Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment

  • Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress

  • Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change

  • Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback

  • Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement

  • Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks

  • Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization

  • Demonstrates sound memory

  • Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance

  • Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule [typically for nonexempt positions, although some exempt positions may have an established start/stop time]

  • Ability to work long hours [typically for exempt positions; if included in nonexempt positions, overtime applies]

  • Ability to work a variable schedule

  • Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather

  • Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance [for part-time positions, change to part-time attendance]

  • Ability to work shift schedule

  • Ability to work on-call schedule

Physical Capabilities

Does the job require a valid driver's license?

Yes

Driving/travel/commute

Daily within service territory

Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)

Overnight inside/outside the service territory

Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)

Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

Lifting/pushing/pulling (check appropriate weight):

Up to 10lb

Carrying (check appropriate weight):

Up to 10lb

Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply:

Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)

Environment - Indoor/Outdoor

Office environment

Plant environment

Field environment

Compensation Range:

$118,425.00 - $197,375.00

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.comor by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.

February 1, 2026
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