Sr. or Sr. Engineer II - Transmission Planning Policy (Architecture)
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!
We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:
- Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
- Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Relocation bonus (if applicable)
- Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
- Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP
COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.
- Sr. Engineer Pay Range: $106,500 - $123,700
- Sr Engineer II Pay Range: $123,700 - $135,000
Join our team as an Engineer in Transmission Planning Policy!
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is seeking a technically proficient and policy-savvy Engineer, Transmission Planning Policy to play a pivotal role in maintaining the reliability, robustness, and future-readiness of the electric grid. This individual will contribute to the development and support of transmission planning policies and techniques, while actively engaging with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. This is more than a technical engineering role — it requires strong analytical thinking, policy understanding, collaborative spirit, and the ability to influence decisions that shape the transmission planning landscape across SPP's footprint.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop expertise in SPP planning policies, tools (e.g., PROMOD, PSS/E), and transmission system operations.
- Lead and support technical planning processes such as ITP, stakeholder studies, and seams coordination with other ISOs/RTOs.
- Ensure compliance with SPP By-Laws, Planning Criteria, OATT, and regulatory requirements; assist in updating policy documentation.
- Engage with stakeholders, lead discussions, and build consensus on planning initiatives; serve as staff secretary for working groups if needed.
- Exercise sound engineering judgment, manage technical projects, and drive process improvements.
- Collaborate across teams while promoting SPP's mission, values, and compliance with internal policies.
To be successful as a Transmission Planning Policy Engineer, we're looking for:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, this degree should:
- Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation),
- Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
- Sr Engineer II - Nine (9) years of relevant Engineering experience; Professional Engineer License or Advanced degree in related field of study may satisfy one (1) year of experience requirement. Two (2) years of experience may satisfy both a Professional Engineer License and Advanced degree in related field.
- Sr Engineer – Five (5) years of relevant engineering experience, a professional engineer license, or an advanced degree may satisfy the requirement for one year of experience.
- Competent with the administrative and communication tools for word processing, spread sheet development and time keeping, as a minimum
- Moderate level of proficiency of several SPP tools and/or processes
- Practical understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria and the SPP Committee structure
- Strong inter-personal and teamwork skills along with good written and verbal communication skills
- Good to excellent working skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, Access
- Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
Preferred:
- A Professional Engineer License
- Advanced degree in related field of study
- Electric Utility Industry experience
Work Environment:
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Position Type, Location, and Hours:
- This is a full-time, onsite hybrid position based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The standard workweek is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours potentially required.
Travel Requirement:
- This position requires minimal travel (approximately 10%).
SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool .
Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
