Senior Engineer- Electric Planning Provide advanced technical expertise, engineering analysis, and strategic planning to support the reliability, resiliency, modernization, and long-term performance of MGE's electric distribution system. Serve as a senior technical resource for distribution planning, distributed energy resource (DER) integration, system modeling, and capital planning initiatives. Lead complex engineering studies and provide recommendations that support safe, reliable, cost-effective electric service while aligning with regulatory requirements, customer needs, and organizational objectives.
Core Responsibilities:
Communicates and collaborates effectively with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and implement electric distribution planning strategies and engineering solutions. Leads complex distribution system planning studies to evaluate system performance, reliability, capacity, resiliency, and customer growth impacts. Develops, maintains, and validates electric distribution system models and applies advanced analytical techniques to assess system behavior and future system needs. Performs load flow, voltage profile, fault current, available capacity, contingency, and reliability analyses using electric system modeling tools and recommends solutions to mitigate identified risks. Evaluates the impacts of distributed energy resources (DERs), electrification initiatives, and emerging technologies on electric distribution system performance and reliability. Performs engineering reviews and system impact studies for DER interconnections and provides technical leadership for utility-scale DER integration projects. Conducts electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies, protection studies, fault current analyses, arc flash assessments, and coordination studies to support safe and reliable system operation. Collaborates with transmission providers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and internal stakeholders on system planning, capacity planning, interconnection, and infrastructure investment initiatives. Leads engineering projects through planning, design, implementation, and post-project evaluation phases while ensuring alignment with technical, schedule, and budget objectives. Identifies opportunities to improve engineering methods, analytical tools, planning processes, and system performance while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and knowledge sharing to engineers and other technical staff.
Behavioral Competencies:- Strategic Thinking – Anticipates future system needs and aligns engineering recommendations with long-term organizational priorities.
- Stakeholder Management – Effectively manages relationships and expectations across internal and external stakeholders.
- Influencing – Gains support for technical recommendations through credibility, expertise, and effective communication.
- Decision Quality – Uses sound engineering judgment, data, and analysis to make effective recommendations and decisions.
- Learning Agility – Quickly acquires and applies new knowledge related to evolving technologies, regulations, and utility industry trends.
- SkillsSystem Planning – Evaluates current and future electric system needs to support reliability, capacity, and long-range infrastructure planning. (Expert)
- Reliability Analysis – Assesses system performance, risk, and reliability to support investment and operational decisions. (Expert)
- Engineering Analysis – Applies advanced engineering principles, modeling techniques, and technical judgment to solve complex problems. (Expert)
- Distributed Energy Resources – Evaluates and integrates DER technologies while maintaining safe and reliable system operation. (Advanced)
- Asset Planning – Supports long-term asset management, lifecycle planning, and capital investment strategies. (Advanced)
- Project Management – Coordinates engineering projects, stakeholders, schedules, and deliverables to achieve project objectives. (Advanced)
- Risk Assessment – Identifies, evaluates, and mitigates technical and operational risks affecting system performance. (Advanced)
- Technical Documentation – Develops and communicates technical studies, recommendations, and engineering reports. (Advanced)
- Regulatory Compliance – Applies applicable engineering standards, utility regulations, and compliance requirements. (Advanced)
- Stakeholder Coordination – Collaborates effectively across engineering, operations, transmission, regulatory, and customer-facing functions. (Advanced)
Education
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline required.
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
Experience:
Minimum of 8+ years of progressively responsible electric utility engineering experience with emphasis in electric distribution planning, system planning, protection engineering, or related areas. Recommended experience aligns with Senior/Lead-level individual contributor expectations.
Experience performing electric system modeling, planning studies, protection studies, and DER interconnection analyses.
Experience leading complex technical projects and influencing decisions across multiple stakeholder groups.
Experience using electric system analysis software such as Synergi Electric, PSCAD, or equivalent engineering tools.
Equivalent combinations of education, training, certifications, demonstrated competencies, and related experience may be considered.
Work Location:
This hybrid role is based at our downtown Madison corporate office.
Pre-employment will require satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen.
We are an AA/EOE employer and consider all qualified candidates without regard to protected status.
