12034 - Electrical Engineer 3

Job Title: Electrical Engineer 3 - Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) / Control Center Design

Job Description

This full-time contract role provides advanced application engineering, design, integration, implementation, and technical leadership for Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) and specialized control systems in transmission Control Centers. The Electrical Engineer 3 develops and reviews RAS designs, prepares technical documentation and migration plans, supports Local Integration Testing (LIT), and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with industry standards and the reliable operation of the transmission system. The position is based in Vancouver, Washington and requires a seasoned electrical engineer with extensive RAS and Control Center design experience.

Responsibilities

• Recommend engineering requirements for assigned Control Center projects, ensuring they align with system needs and applicable standards.
• Participate in the development of RAS documentation as a technical advisor, writer, and reviewer, with final approval provided by internal staff.
• Assist in documenting overall coordination for the design and construction of various facilities, including project scheduling and estimating, for review and approval by internal staff.
• Review and facilitate designs for Control Center RAS systems, submitting final designs for approval by internal management.
• Recommend for approval the design of transfer trip and General Electric (GE) N60 Network Stability and Synchrophasor Measurement System Universal Relay configurations in Control Centers.
• Support business development activities by providing technical briefings and participating in technical interchanges.
• Review preliminary Project Requirements Diagrams (PRDs) and provide detailed technical comments to internal managers and staff.
• Review proposed RAS schemes and modifications to existing schemes to verify compliance with WECC, NERC, and internal standards, and help compose comments to planning teams to bring designs into compliance when discrepancies are found.
• Work with RAS engineers, technicians, and electricians to assist with modifications and installations during Local Integration Testing (LIT) at Control Centers, helping diagnose issues and recommending solutions subject to management approval.
• Troubleshoot problems encountered during complete testing of all functions of RAS controllers and connected equipment in Control Centers, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Collaborate with RAS engineers, under staff oversight, to prepare annual Control Center migration plans that identify equipment to be taken out, modified, or installed.
• Develop and update migration plan documents as living documents, coordinating with control center maintenance personnel to assess available space, rearrange existing equipment, and depict final arrangements for use by design personnel.
• Draft reports describing new and modified RAS schemes for presentation to the Western Electricity Coordinating Council RAS Reliability Subcommittee (WECC RAS RS), including preparation of presentation materials for tri-annual meetings.
• Attend WECC RAS RS meetings, as requested, to present proposed RAS designs and modifications and respond to technical questions.
• Collaborate, when requested, with university scientists, research groups, and other members of the scientific community on scientific and technical matters to improve RAS design processes.
• Provide input on engineering problems and methods, offering recommendations to assist management in decisions regarding application and maintenance of RAS schemes in Control Centers.
• Produce design drawings and technical documents, initiate equipment procurement, generate material requests, purchase requisitions, and bills of materials for RAS-related projects.
• Develop design standards and standard specifications for RAS applications and initiate construction contracts for electrical projects as needed.
• Provide support and technical expertise to other organizations in the development of plans, estimates, customer agreements, contract management, and resolution of field problems related to RAS.
• Contribute to training materials and deliver training to internal and external personnel on RAS concepts, equipment, and design practices.
• Maintain awareness of developments in scientific and engineering disciplines relevant to current and future contracts and incorporate this knowledge into RAS designs and standards.
• Participate and perform effectively in a project team environment, coordinating with multiple stakeholders while managing deadlines and deliverables.
• Manage multiple work assignments and changing priorities, maintaining accuracy and completeness in documentation and designs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering design and project scoping or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in electrical engineering design that includes RAS design and processes for schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, rack layout drawings, and bills of materials.
• Experience in RAS design that includes Control Center design and Local Integration Testing (LIT).
• Knowledge and familiarity with legacy and current RAS equipment and design standards.
• Intensive and diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices across broad assignment areas and related fields.
• Knowledge of drawing types and technical documentation associated with electrical substations.
• Knowledge of substation equipment and its application in RAS and Control Center environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability and desire to train and mentor others in RAS equipment and design techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple work assignments and adapt to changing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to participate and perform effectively in a project team environment.
• Ability to maintain knowledge of developments in scientific disciplines applicable to RAS and related contracts.
• Ability to pass a Public Trust background investigation (SF-85P).
• Valid U.S. driver's license.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience preparing technical reports and presentations for external regulatory and coordinating bodies such as WECC RAS Reliability Subcommittee.
• Experience developing migration plans for Control Centers, including equipment retirement, modification, and installation planning.
• Experience supporting Local Integration Testing (LIT) with engineers, technicians, and electricians in operational Control Centers.
• Experience troubleshooting RAS controllers and associated control center equipment during comprehensive functional testing.
• Experience developing design standards and standard specifications for RAS applications and related control systems.
• Experience initiating equipment procurement, material requests, purchase requisitions, and bills of materials for electrical projects.
• Experience supporting contract management, including development of plans, estimates, customer agreements, and resolution of field problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for drafting documentation, technical reports, and presentations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing complex documentation and multiple concurrent projects.
• Comfort working independently with minimal supervision while coordinating approvals and input from multiple stakeholders.
• Public Trust suitability and comfort working within a highly regulated, standards-driven environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in a slower-paced office environment in Vancouver, Washington, supporting transmission Control Centers and RAS applications. The position focuses on application engineering, design, integration, implementation, and technical leadership for Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) and specialized control systems, including generation dropping, line loss logic, and stability controls for both main grid and local RAS schemes. Work involves producing design drawings and documents, developing standards and specifications, and supporting procurement and construction activities for electrical projects. The environment is deadline-driven yet often involves waiting for approvals, signatures, and paperwork from various stakeholders. The position offers somewhat flexible hours depending on the department, with options such as a 7:00 a.m. start time. The work style is highly independent, with limited direct supervision but strong collaboration within project teams and cross-functional groups. Business casual attire is standard. No personal protective equipment, medical monitoring, or additional certifications are required for this role. The position includes the use of standard office technologies and Microsoft Office tools, as well as interaction with RAS equipment, Control Center systems, and substation-related documentation. The organization supports professional development and training, and offers benefits such as paid holidays, vacation, sick time, health benefits with HSA contribution, and a signing bonus structure, contributing to a stable and supportive work environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Vancouver, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $66.00 - $72.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Vancouver,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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