Electrical Engineer

Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in the Diagnostics, Metrology and Laboratories (TEZT) organization of Technical Services (TEZ), Engineering and Technical Services (TE), Transmission (T), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). A successful candidate in the Electrical Engineer position will serve as a lead engineer on quality assurance, failure analysis and safety related testing of the high voltage and high current equipment.

Duties

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) plays an essential role in the Pacific Northwest, delivering reliable, carbon-free hydroelectric power to millions of homes and businesses while keeping energy rates affordable and championing environmental stewardship. At the heart of this critical mission is BPA's 24/7 trading floor, where energy is scheduled, balanced, and delivered in real time across an interconnected regional grid. As an Electrical Engineer (Technical Lead), you will serve as the technical authority and operational backbone for high-voltage testing and transmission system reliability. Bridging the gap between complex electrical engineering principles, specialized laboratory diagnostics, and real-world field operations, you will guide technical standards, lead craftsmen and research teams through critical testing and commissioning, and ensure the Pacific Northwest's power grid equipment operates safely, efficiently, and reliably. Key Responsibilities & High-Impact Duties High-Voltage & Diagnostic Testing: Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) conducting quality assurance, acceptance, failure analysis, and safety-related testing on high-voltage and high-current power system equipment in accordance with national and international standards. Laboratory Team Leadership & Execution: Direct and coordinate laboratory and field personnel-including apprentices, journeymen, and craftsmen-through test setup, execution, tear-down, facility commissioning, and operational training. Research, Development & Applied Studies: Lead testing and research initiatives to advance transmission equipment performance, evaluate new materials/equipment for the grid, and collaborate with external scientific, university, and industry research partners. Test Plan Design & Method Development: Develop, document, and execute formal test plans, instrumentation setups, and analytical methodologies to address complex electrical engineering objectives defined with key stakeholders. Technical Reporting & Stakeholder Communication: Prepare comprehensive engineering reports detailing test results and study findings, communicating critical data to internal technical groups, leadership, and external stakeholders. Asset, Software & Safety Management: Manage testing software, databases (such as power factor QA), and test equipment maintenance and replacement recommendations, while providing emergency technical response and safety investigation support as required.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR- Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.-OR- Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.-OR- Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-12] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1.) Experience in advanced electrical engineering principles to lead high-voltage, high-current, diagnostic, and specialized testing on power transmission components and systems, including performing quality assurance, acceptance, and failure analysis testing while analyzing complex data to produce reports, and) Experience serving as a project manager, lead investigator, or expert advisor to develop and evaluate electrical test plans, conduct studies on equipment and materials for utility transmission systems. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. CTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

Requirements

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration. When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully. Key Requirements: You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements. You will be required to report in person to the official duty location. Conditions of Employment: This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment. After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards. This position has been designated as requiring a PUBLIC TRUST background. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.