Energy STEM OPT Jobs in Oregon

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Portland General Electric is hiring an Associate Transmission Maintenance Designer/Transmission Maintenance Designer.

This position will report to the Transmission Maintenance Engineering team under the Standards, System Health & Maintenance organization and is based in Oregon City, Oregon. This position assists the engineering team responsible for supporting the transmission maintenance program. The designer will support PLS-CADD model setup/analysis, job sketches, creation of transmission specific drawings (such as Plan & Profile, assembly drawings, hardware details, steel pole drawings, lattice tower drawings, exhibits), assist with design deliverables (BOMs, Work-to-be-done list, construction packages, pick weights, sag charts, etc.), records management for the department, work order management, managing patrol inspection data, etc. The Transmission Maintenance Engineering team is responsible for reviewing results from routine patrols and inspection (FITNES, Ignition Prevention, etc.) to determine criticality and timing of scope of repairs, urgent transmission line maintenance needs day-to-day, supporting public utility commission data requests, FERC compliance, Oregon Department of Energy compliance and scoping/designing/leading yearly planned transmission maintenance jobs on our 230 & 500kV system. The work this role performs is critical to managing system risk, preventing transmission line outages, supporting field crews with urgent needs (storms and unplanned work), and planned maintenance jobs on critical 230 and 500kV lines.

This opportunity is posted at two levels: Associate Transmission Maintenance Designer (P2) and Transmission Maintenance Designer (P1). The level offered will be determined based on the successful candidate's qualifications and applicable experience.

Career Level Summary

P1

• Performs first-tier professional-level assignments that require theoretical knowledge and application of principles and concepts.
• Typically requires a related college or university degree or the equivalent work experience.
• Solves recurring problems by applying advanced knowledge.
• Operates independently but also receives ongoing guidance and direction from others.

P2

• Requires expanded professional-level knowledge and experience in own area; incumbents continue to acquire higher-level knowledge and skills.
• Expands on high-level knowledge of the company, processes and customers.
• Solves a range of more complex problems.
• Analyzes possible solutions using advanced knowledge and applying protocols.
• Operates independently and receives only a moderate level of guidance and direction.

Key Responsibilities

Design Work

• Provides professional-level transmission and distribution (T&D) design as-built knowledge for new customer connections and T&D improvements; provides technical design to lay out systems and facilities.

• P1: Assists engineers and project managers on routine designs.

• P2: Assists engineers and project managers on moderately complex designs.

Design Practices and Technology

• Uses a graphics-based facilities management system and design tools to design, update and maintain the electrical distribution model in the geographic information system (GIS).

• P1: For routine designs; assists in establishing the most economical approach to managing design work.

• P2: For moderately complex designs; establishes the most economical approach to managing design work; participates substantially in establishing the most economical approach to managing design work.

Design Drawings

• Converts service designs into detailed construction drawings; ensures design concepts and details are accurately and clearly conveyed; develops drawings and instructions to guide construction personnel.

• P1: Routine projects.

• P2: Moderately complex projects.

Engineering Principles, Codes and Standards

• Ensures design layouts are consistent with engineering codes and design standards and guidelines while meeting customer and user needs.

As-Builts

• Resolves "as-built" problems and conflicts for correct recording in electrical distribution model.

• P1: Assists in ensuring the electrical distribution model is kept accurate.

• P2: Participates substantially in ensuring the electrical distribution model is kept accurate.

On-Site Field Support

• Reviews design drawings to minimize the number of construction conflicts during installation; checks for design and drafting accuracy, applying guidelines and established criteria.

• P1: Routine design drawings.

• P2: Moderately complex design drawings.

Education

P1 & P2

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering technology, GIS or other related field or equivalent experience.

Experience

P1

Typically one to two years in electrical engineering design and drafting or related field.

P2

Typically two or more years in electrical engineering design and drafting or related field.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Functional Competencies

P1

• Basic knowledge of electric utility distribution overhead and underground design standards and materials.
• Basic knowledge of electrical systems and theory.
• Basic knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD), including purpose, practices and techniques.
• Basic knowledge of the information and data resulting from surveying.
• Working drafting skills.
• Working computer skills using drafting applications (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation).
• Intermediate skills in GIS (e.g., ArcMap and ArcFM/Designer).

P2

• Working knowledge of electric utility distribution overhead and underground design standards and materials.
• Working knowledge of electrical systems and theory.
• Working knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD), including purpose, practices and techniques.
• Working knowledge of the information and data resulting from surveying.
• Intermediate drafting skills.
• Intermediate computer skills using drafting applications (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation).
• Intermediate skills in GIS (e.g., ArcMap and ArcFM/Designer).

General Competencies

P1

• Basic analytical thinking skills.
• Basic decision-making skills.
• Working interpersonal skills.
• Working organization and prioritization skills.
• Working problem-solving skills.
• Working written and oral communication skills.

P2

• Working analytical thinking skills.
• Working decision-making skills.
• Intermediate interpersonal skills.
• Intermediate organization and prioritization skills.
• Intermediate problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate written and oral communication skills.

Physical & Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level (both levels): Intermediate: Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Cognitive

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks
• Ability to follow accuracy standards
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to communicate and problem solve under stress
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas for improvement
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying learned skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
• Ability to collaborate effectively with peers, managers, and others across the organization
• Demonstrates sound memory
• Ability to process new information and apply it consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance

• Ability to work long hours
• Ability to work a variable schedule
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance

Physical Capabilities

• Requires a driver's license
• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

Environment - Indoor

• Office

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.

July 1, 2026