Senior System Design Engineer - Telecommunications

Join a well-established, forward-looking public utility serving over 80,000 customers across northeast Tennessee. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer to step into a high-impact role supporting the reliability and growth of a mission-critical 69kV transmission system.

The utility is seeking a skilled Senior System Design Engineer to oversee system performance, lead infrastructure design projects, and support smart grid development. You’ll play a key role in transmission planning, equipment specification, field coordination, and ongoing modernization efforts ensuring the network meets both today’s demands and tomorrow’s innovations.

Ready to lead the next phase of grid modernization? Apply now and be part of a utility shaping the future of energy in Tennessee.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the performance of the 69 kV transmission system including monitoring of system loads during peak times and their ability to safely perform during routine and emergency switching.
• Schedule pole climbing inspections and monitor annual walking inspections of the entire BRIGHTRIDGE 69 kV system.
• Share knowledge and skills with System Design Engineers, Sr. Field Engineers, and Field Engineers.
• Direct the Line Inspector and System Design Engineers and participate in all aspects of work related to the proper performance of the transmission system. (Position has no authority in tangible employment actions including hiring, firing, promoting, reassigning significantly different tasks, or causing changes to benefits but may be involved in directing day-to-day operations of employees).
• Design 200 Amp and 600 Amp underground distribution systems and provides construction follow up as requested
• Design Smart Grid switching systems and stay abreast of new technologies in the Smart Grid product lines.
• Perform cost studies for transmission, distribution, fiber, smart grid and lighting projects.
• Proper design of new power lines.
• Assist field engineers and engineering department in power line design.
• Prepare construction work orders and construction drawings for the construction of new power lines and the upgrades of existing power lines.
• Determine, define, and acquire right-of-ways for the construction and maintenance of new or existing power lines.
• Develop switching procedures and review others as necessary.
• Prepare work orders and construction drawings for power line relocation due to state and local government road construction and/or relocation projects.
• Monitor the loading of transmission and distribution lines as well as substations to determine the need for upgrades. 
• Assist with keeping the system feeders’ phases in balance.
• Determine the use of new construction equipment and materials to operate the power system more effectively and economically.
• Stay informed of National Electrical Safety Codes and ensure lines are in compliance.
• Stay abreast of new materials, equipment, and engineering designs of electrical facilities.
• Aid in the design and update all BRIGHTRIDGE electrical facilities and systems including transmission and distribution, substations, field equipment, SCADA, AMI systems, fiber systems, and miscellaneous support systems both present and future. 
• Perform load studies and fault calculation studies. 
• Interview salespeople and factory representatives to be aware of changes in materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Prepare requests for special materials and equipment.
• Specify and requisition special types of equipment.
• Assist in the restoration of power during outages.
• Monitor and correct the electrical system parameters.    
• Prepare documents for joint use structures with telephone company. 
• Perform as on-call supervisor as scheduled on a rotating basis; available for call-in whenever needed. 
• Prepare power contracts for commercial customers. 
• Work closely with Marketing on Green Power Products such as but not limited to solar projects and EV chargers.
• Ability to maintain reliable, predictable, and reasonable attendance.

Skills/Must have:

• Competent in the study, design, and construction of all aspects of the electric utility industry     
• Must be able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Must be able to stay abreast of new developments in engineering, as well as the broader area of the electric utility industry.
• Possess good writing skills.
• Determine the proper applications of power equipment.
• Ability to read one-line diagrams for distribution and transmission systems.
• Ability to write switching orders to transfer load on the system, maintenance, and emergency response.
• Ability to dispatch crews as needed.
• Willing to train and further work-related knowledge. 

Benefits:

• Full Benefits

Salary:

• $70,000 - $90,000