Distribution & Standards Engineer (MULTIPLE Levels)

Location: Spokane, WA (Onsite) (US)

Description

Distribution & Standards Engineer — Engineer / Senior/Lead

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Distribution & Standards Engineer to support the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, equipment specifications, and design practices for electric utility infrastructure.

This position works across engineering, operations, construction, procurement, and other technical teams to ensure electric system standards promote safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, constructability, and cost-effective system performance.

The position may be filled at the Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Lead Engineer level based on experience and technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve engineering standards, specifications, design criteria, and technical practices supporting electric utility systems.
• Review designs, drawings, construction packages, equipment specifications, and material requirements for compliance with applicable standards.
• Evaluate new equipment, materials, technologies, and engineering practices for potential implementation.
• Develop technical requirements and specifications for procurement of utility equipment and materials.
• Provide technical guidance on the interpretation and application of engineering standards.
• Support capital projects through design reviews, equipment evaluations, compliance assessments, and implementation.
• Research and apply relevant industry codes, regulations, and standards, including IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, NFPA, OSHA, FERC, and NERC, as applicable.
• Analyze equipment and material performance to identify opportunities to improve reliability, standardization, lifecycle cost, and operational performance.
• Partner with engineering, operations, construction, procurement, manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to resolve technical issues.
• Support field evaluations, manufacturer reviews, and technical investigations as needed.
• Provide technical training, knowledge sharing, and mentoring to engineers and other technical personnel.

Engineering Scope

Depending on assignment and experience, responsibilities may involve standards and specifications for:

• Distribution and transmission structures, conductor, insulators, and line hardware
• Distribution transformers, switches, capacitor banks, and related line equipment
• Substation transformers and circuit breakers
• Distribution and substation switchgear
• Control and protection-related systems
• Station battery and DC systems
• Other equipment and materials supporting electric power delivery infrastructure

Position Levels

Engineer

• Typically 3+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Independently develops and maintains engineering standards and specifications.
• Supports equipment and material evaluations, design reviews, procurement specifications, and standards compliance.
• Provides technical guidance to project and field teams regarding established standards.

Senior / Lead Engineer

• Typically 6+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Leads standards development and complex technical evaluations.
• Serves as a subject matter resource for distribution and power delivery equipment.
• Leads design and compliance reviews and provides technical direction across projects.
• Evaluates equipment alternatives, material substitutions, and emerging technologies.
• Provides mentoring and technical training to other engineers and technical personnel.

Lead Engineer

• Typically 10+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Provides strategic technical leadership for engineering standards and equipment practices.
• Leads cross-functional standardization and governance efforts across major infrastructure programs.
• Serves as a senior subject matter expert on complex engineering, compliance, equipment, and system-performance issues.
• Guides adoption of emerging technologies, modernization initiatives, and reliability or resilience improvements.
• Advises engineering and organizational leadership on complex technical issues and long-term standards strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience with electric utility distribution, transmission, substation, or power delivery systems.
• Knowledge of electric system equipment, engineering design practices, and utility construction standards.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and related technical documentation.
• Familiarity with applicable electric utility codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, construction, procurement, suppliers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple technical priorities and work independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Master's degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience developing utility engineering standards, equipment specifications, or material standards.
• Experience with distribution equipment and/or substation equipment.
• Knowledge of NERC/FERC requirements and applicable industry standards.
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar engineering/design applications.
• Experience working with equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
• Utility field or construction experience.
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Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience with electric utility distribution, transmission, substation, or power delivery systems.
• Knowledge of electric system equipment, engineering design practices, and utility construction standards.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and related technical documentation.
• Familiarity with applicable electric utility codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, construction, procurement, suppliers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple technical priorities and work independently.