Engineer I/II/III-High Voltage Testing

Job Summary

The position is located in Petersburg, VA and will work on-site.  Relocation may be offered to the successful candidate. 

More extensively than ever before, the Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Industry has been exposed to significant technological challenges. Moreover, it is expected that the intensity of this trend will considerably accelerate with time. Subsequently, these challenges will force utilities to incorporate new technologies and utilize novel power equipment for ensuring successful, reliable, and efficient grid operations during ever changing operating conditions, natural events, and external threats. 

The advertised position, within Dominion Energy’s Electric Transmission (ET) Group, has been created to facilitate engineering support to the operation of the new 17,000 square High Voltage Laboratory (HVL), which is currently is in the final phase of its construction. The expected commissioning date is in early November 2024. 

The offices are in the associated Technical Support Building (TSB), which is connected to the HVL. TSB started its operation on April 1st, 2024. 

Both facilities will be instrumental in improving asset management and reliability of power equipment owned by Dominion Energy. The equipment that will be tested in the HVL includes power and instrument transformers, bushings, circuit breakers, GIS, cables, transmission line insulators, capacitors, etc. HVL will also be instrumental in performing HV tests for the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of failed transmission and distribution equipment. 

The main test systems that will be used in the HVL include 3,200kV impulse generator, and 1,500kV AC, and 1,200kV DC test sets.

The incumbent will be involved in variety of task, including the design of support structures for testing HV power equipment, overseeing the fabrication of design structures by contractors, assistance in maintenance of selected auxiliary mechanical systems, assistance in transportation and setting the HV equipment for testing in the Laboratory. 

Apart to standard 5 days x 8 hours per day work schedule, we offer an option of working 9 hours a day with every second Friday off subject to change due to business needs. 

.

•    Perform work under the guidance and direction of the Manager - High Voltage Testing or Consulting Engineer. 
•    Assist in all activities taking place in the HVL. 
•    Develop and enforce policies and procedures to ensure safe operation of the HVL.
•    Assist in developing the test plans, procedures, and test schedules while ensuring efficient use of laboratory resources.
•    Participate in setting the test circuits and provide guidance to the technical staff and less experienced engineers in performing these tasks. 
•    Verify the electrical connections prepared by technical staff before commencing testing.
•    Work with laboratory staff on continuous improvements in the HVL operation.
•    In addition to conforming to national and international test standards, ensure compliance with all relevant federal and state regulations, as well as all required Dominion Energy work safety policies and guidelines.
•    Help in developing calibrations and preventive maintenance programs for the laboratory test equipment, auxiliary instrumentation, and tools. 
•    Actively participate in the process of achieving ISO 17025 accreditation for the laboratory. 
•    Oversee the development of calibrations and preventive maintenance programs for the laboratory test equipment, auxiliary instrumentation, and specialized tools,
•    Prepare drafts of test reports. 
•    Learn the operations of software used in the control of test systems and take interest in software upgrades.
•    Participate in routine calibrations of test equipment and instrumentation, and continuously update the records.
•    Take interest in maintaining the inventory of spare parts, tools, instrumentation, consumables, and initiate their procurement. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

Engineer I:    1+ years of relevant engineering experience and high voltage experience.
Engineer II:   3+ years of related engineering experience and high voltage experience.
Engineer III: 5+ years relevant engineering experience and high voltage experience.
•    Experience in laboratory, production, or field testing of HV power equipment, or alternatively experience in supporting and/or maintaining HV substation’s equipment.
•    Knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practices and their applications to a broad variety of assignments.
•    Experience in using test standards, guidelines, and codes, such as IEEE, IEC, CIGRE, NETA, etc., and ability to interpret them.
•    Good organizational leadership skills.
•    Strong planning and project management skills.
•    Strong oral and written communication skills, includes technical writing.
•    Knowledge of various computer applications, with the ability to manipulate personal computer applications and perform engineering calculations using applicable software programs (e.g. Matlab, Excel, etc.).
•    Ability to think analytically and solve complex technical problems.
•    Ability to interpret complex instructions, and to process information quickly and effectively.
•    Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks.
•    Equally effective while working independently or in team environment.
 

Education Requirements

Required degree (equivalency not accepted in lieu of required degree): Bachelor's or higher in Engineering 

Preferred: Electrical 

REQUIRED ENGINEERING CRITERIA: 
 
For placement of a candidate in the Engineer job series, the following criteria must be met: 
 

• Possess a 4-year Engineering degree from an ABET accredited Engineering program based on the year that the Engineering program was accredited by ABET, or 
• Possess a 4-year Engineering degree from an institution outside of the U.S. which is accredited through the country's own Engineering accrediting body under the Washington Accord as a full signatory, and is a degree that was recognized by the country's accrediting body on or after the date that full signatory status was achieved, or 
• Possess a 4-year degree in Engineering (non-ABET accredited), Physics, Chemistry, Math or Engineering Technology and a post-graduate Engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same Engineering discipline is ABET-accredited based on the year the Engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
• Holds or has previously held a valid U.S. Professional Engineer license.

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

Working Conditions

Other Working Conditions

Test Description