We are engineers, high line workers, power plant managers, accountants, electricians, project coordinators, risk analysts, customer service operators, community representatives, safety and security specialists, communicators, human resources partners, information technology technicians and much, much more. We are 3,500 people committed to enhancing the lives of the communities we serve. Together, we are powering the growth and success of our community progress every day!
Deadline to apply: March 25, 2026 11:59pm
12
Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level
The Research and Innovation Engineering Associate is a strategy and stakeholder-oriented role that supports CPS Energy's ability to identify, evaluate, and advance the technologies and initiatives that will define the next generation of the utility. This position is primarily about influence, relationship-building, and strategic judgment. The Associate operates at the intersection of CPS Energy's business units, external technology partners, peer utilities, and academic and industry research institutions, serving as a connector who understands enough about how an electric power grid works to ask the right questions and engage the right people, and enough about business and strategy to help shape how CPS Energy decides where to invest. The role is responsible for helping develop and implement the frameworks, processes, and partnerships through which CPS Energy evaluates and commits to new technologies and strategic initiatives.
Strategy, Frameworks, and Investment Decisions
• Support the development and implementation of frameworks for evaluating and prioritizing technology investments and strategic initiatives across the R&I portfolio.
• Help translate business unit needs, industry signals, and technology market developments into structured recommendations for CPS Energy leadership.
• Assist in building and maintaining the R&I technology pipeline, tracking initiative status, evaluation stage, and business unit ownership across the portfolio.
• Support the design of pilot programs, including success criteria, measurement approaches, and criteria for scaling to full deployment.
Cross-Functional Engagement and Internal Influence
• Build relationships and work cross-functionally across CPS Energy business units including T&D, Rates, Power Generation, Customer Services, Government Affairs, and Finance to advance R&I initiatives.
• Serve as a connector between R&I leadership and internal subject matter experts, ensuring technical work is scoped, coordinated, and moving in the right direction without necessarily executing that technical work directly.
• Support preparation of materials for VP-level reviews, cross-functional team charters, and leadership decision cycles.
• Assist in managing stakeholder dynamics around emerging initiatives, including identifying where alignment exists and where it needs to be built.
External Relationships and Industry Intelligence
• Engage cross-functionally with technology partners, vendors, peer utilities, and academic and industry research institutions to develop and maintain the external relationships that keep CPS Energy informed and connected.
• Monitor industry trends, peer utility programs, and technology market developments across R&I portfolio domains; synthesize findings into actionable intelligence for internal audiences.
• Represent CPS Energy at industry conferences, technical forums, and partner engagements as assigned; produce structured trip reports and briefing materials following attendance.
• Support outreach to strategic partners and help develop the value propositions that make CPS Energy an attractive counterpart for external engagement.
Communication and Deliverables
• Develop executive-ready presentations, briefing documents, and one-pagers that communicate complex technology and market topics clearly to non-technical and senior audiences.
• Assist with gathering and synthesizing information for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Support R&I leadership in preparing for high-stakes internal and external meetings.
• Perform other project and process improvement initiatives as assigned.
Basic knowledge of fundamental engineering concepts, practices and proceduresAbility to work in a team environment, coordinating with other related areas to complete tasks and projectsEffective interpersonal skills and written communication skills to work with all levels of personnel within the organizationAbility to perform multiple work activities with a minimum of supervision and prioritize workload effectivelyAbility to use personal initiative to recognize needs and research skills to solve problems when necessaryAbility to work call duty and occasional unscheduled work in the evenings, weekends, or holidays after experience level permitsAbility to travel occasionally, to off-site work, to seminars, manufacturing plant inspections, etc.Ability to obtain Professional Engineer License in State of TexasProficient in Microsoft Office Package, including word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation software, electronic mail and scheduling
• Engineer In Training (EIT) designation from Texas Board of Professional Engineers
• Coursework, internship, or work experience in energy markets, utility strategy, transportation electrification, grid modernization, or sustainability
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence outcomes across organizational boundaries
• Familiarity with electric power grid operations, EV charging infrastructure, demand response, or utility rate structures at a conceptual level sufficient to engage credibly with technical subject matter experts
• Experience developing executive-level presentations, strategic briefings, or policy documents that synthesize complex topics for non-technical audiences
• Exposure to technology evaluation, business case development, or innovation program management
• Experience representing an organization at external conferences, industry forums, or partner engagements
• Basic experience with electric distribution or transmission systems
• Technical writing experience or college coursework in technical writing
• Experience with SAP or Work Manager software
Manages AmbiguityCollaboratesCommunicates EffectivelyDrives Vision and PurposeDrive for Results
Bachelors of Science degree in an engineering field from an ABET accredited four-year college or university
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Operating computer, manual dexterity, talking, hearing, and repetitive motion. Use of personal computing equipment, telephone, multi-functioning printer and calculator.Employee may potentially be exposed to hazardous chemicals, wet or humid conditions, outdoor weather, noisy and dusty environment.Ability to travel to and from meetings, training sessions or other business-related events. After hours work may be required.
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking & standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
CPS Energy does not discriminate against applicants or employees. CPS Energy is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of its employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfers and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or any other protected status. CPS Energy will comply with all laws and regulations.
Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation’s largest community-owned provider of electric and natural gas services. We provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced services to more than 950,000 electric and over 389,000 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties.
Our customers’ combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities while generating $9.6 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio over the last 80 years. Our Vision 2027 strategic plan is designed to guide CPS Energy through rapid transformational change in our city. As a trusted and reliable community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment.
We are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees’ volunteerism, our community engagement efforts, and programs aimed at bringing value and assistance to our customers.
