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The Energy & Utilities Division, part of the Facilities and Operations Directorate, is seeking an experienced Electrical Power Operations Engineer to support the engineering, operations, and maintenance of Brookhaven National Laboratory’s (BNL) electrical transmission and distribution systems, including substations and DC controls. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of electrical power across the site’s infrastructure.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in utility-scale electrical systems, experience with medium-voltage distribution, and a collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams including other engineering disciplines, and collective bargaining staff.
This is a full-time position, typically scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional extended hours during maintenance periods or emergencies.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, maintenance, and operation of large-scale facilities and systems including medium and low voltage electrical power transmission and distribution systems.
- Develops drawings and contract bid specifications assisting in the planned maintenance and outages on equipment located in utility plants and buildings.
- Layout and design of electrical equipment including but not limited to normal and emergency switchboards/switchgear, motor control centers, distribution and branch panel boards, disconnect switches, motor starters/VFD, etc.
- Participate in reviewing and executing safety procedures, Conduct of Operations in a safe and conscientious manner, following safety rules, procedures, and actively participating in safety programs, such as confined space, lock-out/tag-out, etc.
- Writing or reviewing electrical switching and safety procedures for line crew personnel.
- Identify and scope projects to ensure maintenance of electric power distribution system.
- Creating and presenting electrical safety training to both management and collective bargaining employees.
- Procure electrical service contracts such as load tap changer maintenance, dissolved gas analysis, relay maintenance, and third- party testing as required.
- Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for electrical work above 600V.
- Supervise and/or inspect in-house electrical installations and modifications to electrical distribution systems above 600V.
- Estimates materials, costs, and staffing requirements.
- May supervise service and maintenance contractors to ensure that work is performed in accordance with contract specifications.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external utilities to ensure reliable power delivery to all site facilities
- Perform system analysis, load studies, and fault current calculations to support infrastructure planning and upgrades
- Support the design and review of electrical systems for new construction and renovation projects
- Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety regulations such as:
- NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code®
- NFPA 70E- Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- IEEE C2 - National Electrical Safety Code®
- OSHA 1910.269
- Develop and maintain electrical system documentation, including single-line diagrams, manhole drawings, and duct bank drawings
- Respond to electrical system issues and outages, providing technical guidance and root cause analysis
- Collaborate with other departments, divisions, science organizations to integrate electrical systems into broader infrastructure projects
- Participate in capital project planning, utility master planning, and budget planning.
- Support commissioning, testing, and acceptance of new installations
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in electrical power systems engineering, preferably in a campus, utility, or industrial setting
- Strong knowledge of electrical distribution systems, protective relaying, and power system analysis
- Experience with overhead and underground 69kV, 13.8kV, and 2.4kV, 480V, 208V transmission and distribution systems.
- Preparation, review, and approval of electrical system design documents including one-lines, three-lines, DC control schematics, short circuit and voltage drop calculations.
- Experience managing multiple projects that include problem-solving, and project management skills
- Familiarity with electrical design software (e.g., ETAP, SKM PowerTools, AutoCAD)
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Ability to read and interpret underground utility drawings, one-line electrical diagrams, and P&I drawings.
- Requires some experience with protective relay selection, relay settings, coordination studies, equipment testing, and start-up problem resolution.
- Ability to use AutoCAD to produce design drawings, modify drawings, and create as-built drawings.
- Excellent teamwork, effective written and oral communication skills are required; must be able to analyze data, write technical reports, and develop work packages.
- Ability to read and understand underground utility maps.
- Must be able to occasionally work weekends or nights
- Must be able to read, write, and verbally communicate in English.
- Must have a valid NYS Driver’s license.
- Must be available on occasion outside normal working hours to support power outages or planned maintenance.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in electrical power systems engineering, preferably in a campus, utility, or industrial setting; at least five (5) years as an Engineer
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
- Ability to read and interpret architectural and mechanical drawings.
- Experience with electrical SCADA systems.
- Experience in the electrical operation of centralized chilled water plants, steam plants, and water supply and treatment plants
- Familiarity with substation maintenance procedures and equipment such as vacuum breakers, SF6 circuit breakers, transformers, battery systems, etc.
Environmental, Safety, and Health, Considerations:
- Standing, bending, and lifting, up to 20 lbs.
- Ability to enter confined spaces
- Ability to climb fixed and portable ladders and work at heights up to 10 feet.
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment
- Work outdoors/cold environments or indoors/hot environments
- Use of private car may be required at certain times
- Occasional travel may be required to attend training classes, special meetings, conferences, or events.
Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $129850 - $210767 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
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About Us
Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
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Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor
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