Transmission Protection Engineer

FirstEnergy at a Glance

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co. , a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU]

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers' lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

All employees who apply for a posted position must notify their supervisors that they have applied. Employees who have not been in their current positions for at least one year or who are in a position with specific requirements beyond one year, must obtain approval from their supervisor before applying.

A Transmission Protection Engineer is responsible for performing relay protection functions across FirstEnergy's (FE) transmission and sub-transmission systems. The primary focus is on studying and protecting the transmission and sub-transmission lines, system interconnections, and transmission and sub-transmission substations to ensure reliable operation. Engineers will primarily work on relay protection system designs, setting development and system analyses for those FE assets contained within FirstEnergy's service territories.

Positions are available in Akron, Ohio, Greensburg, PA and Reading, PA with consideration given to other reporting locations based on expertise within FirstEnergy's territories.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing technical support and guidance to develop transmission and sub-transmission infrastructure projects, plans and capital budgets to maintain the reliability and integrity of the FE transmission protection system.

• Developing protective relay design specifications for transmission line and substation projects for use by Design Engineers in developing construction implementation packages. This includes specifying the types of protection schemes to be employed including specific details on relay models and communication architecture, instrument transformer selection, input and output contact assignments, etc.

• Performing timely completion of modeling of the transmission system for short circuit calculation, relay modeling and coordination, breaker duty calculations and fault locating ensuring compliance with NERC, RF and FE protection criteria.

• Developing relay settings for new and existing protection schemes. This involves performing relay setting coordination studies through the use of "time-current coordination" curves, "resistance-reactance" (R-X) diagrams, and step-distance diagrams, as well as the utilization of the short circuit, one-line, coordination graphics, relay checking and system simulator modules of the CAPE (Computer Assisted Protection Engineering) software program.

• Participating in the peer review, electronic issuance, as-left verification and retention of all protection settings through the use of the company's setting management system - PowerBase

• Performing timely analysis of automatic trippings of the transmission and sub-transmission systems. Gathering and analyzing SCADA alarm data, relay targets, digital fault recorder and relay event records and documents the findings in the ED Outage Analysis (EDOA) system. Following up on incorrect operations with work requests and corrective action plans to field personnel. Documenting findings and status of corrective action plans periodically to FE management and RFC.

• Performing studies related to new load and generation interconnection facilities attaching to the assigned area

• Performing transmission protection activities with the FE operating companies (distribution), other utilities, nonutility generation, the Regional Transmission Organization, and Reliability Councils

• Following established procedures and retaining evidence to support compliance with the various NERC Protection and Control (PRC) Reliability Standards

• Providing staff assistance to management and higher levels of professionals, as needed

• Conducting technical research; Compiling and analyzing moderately complex data; Solving practical problems

• Preparing technical reports and summaries; Making presentations when necessary

• Demonstrating a solid commitment to all aspects of safety

• Meeting customer needs by providing sound service and responsiveness

• Exercising sound decision making by developing alternatives and recommendations to technical work processes

• Supporting FE storm restoration processes including performing assigned field storm roles during significant system disturbances

An employee hired at the Engineer IV level will be expected to perform all of the above responsibilities with more proficiency, and in a more independent manner. Further, the Engineer IV level employee will be assigned additional responsibilities related to those above.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer's (PE) License (2) a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program.

• A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.

• Minimum of 2 years of Engineering experience is required.

• Demonstrated abilities of effective analytical and reasoning capabilities, refined oral and written communication skills, including ability to effectively structure and confidently present information to peers and leadership

• Ability to work independently on assignments that may be broad in nature involving the compilation, preparation, and analysis of various statistical/analytical data, reports, statements, studies, or projects

• Effectively work both independently and in unison with fellow team members

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Business applications including Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, OneNote and Teams

• Experience with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory acSELerator QuickSet(SEL-5030), Siemens PSS CAPE, Doble PowerBase, Ruggedcom Crossbow, Ametek Display Station, Softstuf Wavewin and Sun-Net iTOA software considered a plus

• Basic researching skills required

• Ability to read and effectively interpret electrical single lines, three lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, relay functional diagrams, etc. from a variety of sources

• Desire to continue to learn and grow, work across FirstEnergy, and deliver results

• Ability to deliver quality, accurate work within establishe.