Senior Project EngineerLocation: Palmer
Position - Status SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER - RFT Who can apply? MEA Employees & General Public
Posting Date August 5, 2026
Closing Date Open Until Filled
Department Engineering
Annually $116,438 Min DOE
Grade 13
Union Representation N/A
Hours of Work 8AM-5PM
Work Location Palmer, AK
PURPOSE This position oversees the design and construction of transmission and switch yard/substation facilities. The position coordinates project activities with various internal and external personnel to ensure on budget and timely completion of reliable, high quality transmission and switch yard/substation facilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION 1. Prepare and direct preparation of detailed plans and specifications for project construction.
2. Monitor and report the progress of assigned projects relative to schedule and compares the results to current budget and work plan.
3. Prepare and maintain transmission and substation unit cost data for various types of evaluations.
4. Evaluate transmission and substation cost data for effectiveness or method and scheduling of construction.
5. Assist in the preparation of the transmission and substation capital projects portion of division budgets, work plans and long-range plans.
6. Develop special studies to support project selection and technical operation.
7. Establish design criteria for the facilities to be constructed.
8. Maintain quality assurance in the work of engineers, technicians, consulting engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors/manufacturer's representatives on transmission and substation construction project sites.
9. Coordinate outage switching and clearance requirements with power control.
10. Review engineering, manufacturer and contractor submittals, specifications and other written material to ensure conformance with project requirements.
11. Direct and perform inspection of projects during construction and upon completion.
12. Provide direction to consulting engineers, staff engineers and technicians performing engineering services for transmission and substation projects.
13. Prepare or direct preparation of contract documents and administer contracts for procurement of transmission and substation equipment and materials, engineering services and construction.
14. Prepare or direct preparation of project and contract close out documentation.
15. Review and recommend contractor/vendor invoices for approval, within authorized limits.
16. Prepare construction change orders and negotiates the cost of change orders with contractors for transmission and substation projects, within authorized limits.
17. Verify equipment acceptance tests in conformance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
18. Participate in external committee assignments on behalf of the Association.
19. Consult and coordinate with federal, state and local agencies regarding location of facilities, construction methods and schedules to minimize conflict.
20. Provide technical assistance to members and other stakeholders to resolve substation/transmission voltage/outage problems and recommends corrective action to be taken.
21. Review and recommend maintenance and/or activities.
22. Promote a safety culture in which safety is a value. This culture is based on joint and individual engagement, ownership, and accountability regarding job safety and responsibility to perform work safely and adhere to safe work practices.
23. Performs the essential functions of the position in a safe and efficient manner.
The above items are not intended to be all inclusive of the essential functions or requirements of this type of work as they are subject to change based on operating necessity. The employee will also perform other related business duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS Qualified candidates are required to have:
- A bachelors degree in electrical, civil, or mechanical engineering.
- Five (5) years of experience in a highly responsible electrical engineering capacity responsible for the improvement of electrical systems in an electric utility, including transmission lines and substations.
- State of Alaska Professional Engineering (PE) license or the ability to obtain within one year of hire date.
- A valid drivers license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Associations Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Associations insurance carrier at standard group rates
Preference may be given to candidates with:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Support a culture of safety excellence through active involvement in safety improvement and promote a sense of shared responsibility for safety.
Advanced knowledge of workflows pertaining to design, permitting, and construction.
Knowledge and ability in Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, and GIS software or other relevant software.
Knowledge of the FERC accounting system and the ability to interpret the National Electrical Safety Code and other relevant codes and regulations
Knowledge of substation operations and procedures, Association policies and procedures, and applicable codes and policies of local, county, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
Knowledge of construction methods and standards, materials, and equipment used in electrical design and wiring, maintenance procedures and practices, and safety procedures and practices.
Advanced skill in collaborative leadership and organizational management.
Skill in systematically analyzing problems and issues; identifying underlying causes; anticipate implications and identify effective courses of action.
Skill in writing a variety of detailed reports to management or the public about such complex issues as large line extension problems, various cost estimates, alternative line extension options, complex electrical problems, major accidents, etc.
Skill in effectively representing the Associations interests at community council meetings and other venues.
Skill in innovating, creating, and developing solutions to assignments.
Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
Ability to translate engineering knowledge into sound, economical design.
Ability to multitask assigned projects with limited supervision.
Ability to track costs, schedules and other data as necessary on projects.
Ability to organize, coordinate and schedule various projects; interpret union contract; prepare comprehensive reports; and supervise the work of others.
Ability to develop and document new procedures and techniques to assure quality and expedite response of service to internal and external customers.
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with various stakeholders.
Ability to maintai proprietary knowledge concerning confidential matters.
Ability to facilitate cooperation between work groups and work functionally across all levels of the organization.
Ability to self-motivate improvement based on successes and failures.
Ability to analyze processes for efficiency and make recommendations for improvements.
Ability to effectively delegate and collaborate with others to accomplish assignments.
Embrace and embody the Associations Core Values through decisions, actions, attitude, and behavior to directly contribute to the success of the organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; this list is not inclusive of all the physical demands that may be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demand activity percentages:
- Major occurs 60% or more of work time.
- Moderate occurs between 20-60% of work time.
- Minor occurs less than 20% of work time.
Physical demand requirements:
- Ability to understand, read, and carry out written instructions.
- Ability to understand, read, and verify documents electronically, verbally, or hard copy.
- Major amount of sitting, eye-hand coordination, communicating, hearing, seeing (near/far) and depth perception.
- Moderate amount of standing, walking, and foot-hand-eye coordination.
- Minor amount of lifting/carrying/pushing up to fifty (50) pounds, stair climbing, ladder climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, turning/twisting, bending at waist, and handling of items.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position primarily works in an office setting; however, this position may require field work in variable weather conditions.
The incumbent must be able to work in variable weather conditions including, but not limited to rain, high winds, temperatures in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, large amounts of snow, possibly over long periods of time and in darkness, etc.
This position is subject to bee stings and insect bites.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS This position is classified as an exempt, non-represented position; and therefore is not eligible for overtime compensation. All Association employees are expected to work widely varying amounts of time outside the normal shifts to assist in power restoration or other needs of the Association.
Benefits Include - 401(k) matching 2%
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
- Life insurance 100% paid by MEA
- Long Term Disability 100% paid by MEA
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off starts at 3.385 hrs/wk
- 11.5 paid holidays per year.
- Retirement Defined Benefit plan/Pension
