Job Description

Senior Engineer- Electric Planning

Job Purpose

Provide advanced technical expertise, engineering analysis, and strategic planning to support the reliability, resiliency, modernization, and long-term performance of MGE's electric distribution system. Serve as a senior technical resource for distribution planning, distributed energy resource (DER) integration, system modeling, and capital planning initiatives. Lead complex engineering studies and provide recommendations that support safe, reliable, cost-effective electric service while aligning with regulatory requirements, customer needs, and organizational objectives.

Core Responsibilities

Note: This list is not all inclusive.

• Communicates and collaborates effectively with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and implement electric distribution planning strategies and engineering solutions.
• Leads complex distribution system planning studies to evaluate system performance, reliability, capacity, resiliency, and customer growth impacts.
• Develops, maintains, and validates electric distribution system models and applies advanced analytical techniques to assess system behavior and future system needs.
• Performs load flow, voltage profile, fault current, available capacity, contingency, and reliability analyses using electric system modeling tools and recommends solutions to mitigate identified risks.
• Evaluates the impacts of distributed energy resources (DERs), electrification initiatives, and emerging technologies on electric distribution system performance and reliability.
• Performs engineering reviews and system impact studies for DER interconnections and provides technical leadership for utility-scale DER integration projects.
• Conducts electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies, protection studies, fault current analyses, arc flash assessments, and coordination studies to support safe and reliable system operation.
• Collaborates with transmission providers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and internal stakeholders on system planning, capacity planning, interconnection, and infrastructure investment initiatives.
• Leads engineering projects through planning, design, implementation, and post-project evaluation phases while ensuring alignment with technical, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Identifies opportunities to improve engineering methods, analytical tools, planning processes, and system performance while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and knowledge sharing to engineers and other technical staff.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – Anticipates future system needs and aligns engineering recommendations with long-term organizational priorities.
• Stakeholder Management – Effectively manages relationships and expectations across internal and external stakeholders.
• Influencing – Gains support for technical recommendations through credibility, expertise, and effective communication.
• Decision Quality – Uses sound engineering judgment, data, and analysis to make effective recommendations and decisions.
• Learning Agility – Quickly acquires and applies new knowledge related to evolving technologies, regulations, and utility industry trends.

Skills

• System Planning – Evaluates current and future electric system needs to support reliability, capacity, and long-range infrastructure planning. (Expert)
• Reliability Analysis – Assesses system performance, risk, and reliability to support investment and operational decisions. (Expert)
• Engineering Analysis – Applies advanced engineering principles, modeling techniques, and technical judgment to solve complex problems. (Expert)
• Distributed Energy Resources – Evaluates and integrates DER technologies while maintaining safe and reliable system operation. (Advanced)
• Asset Planning – Supports long-term asset management, lifecycle planning, and capital investment strategies. (Advanced)
• Project Management – Coordinates engineering projects, stakeholders, schedules, and deliverables to achieve project objectives. (Advanced)
• Risk Assessment – Identifies, evaluates, and mitigates technical and operational risks affecting system performance. (Advanced)
• Technical Documentation – Develops and communicates technical studies, recommendations, and engineering reports. (Advanced)
• Regulatory Compliance – Applies applicable engineering standards, utility regulations, and compliance requirements. (Advanced)
• Stakeholder Coordination – Collaborates effectively across engineering, operations, transmission, regulatory, and customer-facing functions. (Advanced)

Education

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 8+ years of progressively responsible electric utility engineering experience with emphasis in electric distribution planning, system planning, protection engineering, or related areas. Recommended experience aligns with Senior/Lead-level individual contributor expectations.
• Experience performing electric system modeling, planning studies, protection studies, and DER interconnection analyses.
• Experience leading complex technical projects and influencing decisions across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience using electric system analysis software such as Synergi Electric, PSCAD, or equivalent engineering tools.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, certifications, demonstrated competencies, and related experience may be considered.

Work Location

• This hybrid role is based at our downtown Madison corporate office.

Pre-employment will require satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen.

We are an AA/EOE employer and consider all qualified candidates without regard to protected status.