Substation Engineer IV at Colorado Springs Utilities

Substation Engineer IV

This job is eligible for relocation assistance to Colorado Springs.

Our Substation Engineering team contributes to the protection of our electric system's reliability while ensuring our substation equipment and controls meet the needs of our transmission and distribution systems and infrastructure today and for the future. We are hiring a Substation Engineer IV to support the planning, maintenance, and operation of substation equipment and systems. This role will also contribute to technical evaluations, maintenance planning, and regulatory support while continuing to develop expertise in substation systems and standards. The work that you do will ensure the ongoing safe and reliable delivery of electricity to over 500,000 customers in the Pikes Peak region!

What Else Will You be Doing?

• Assisting with substation maintenance and evaluating substation equipment including power transformers, switchgears, mobile substations, batteries, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, capacitor banks, and reactors
  • Investigating and troubleshooting abnormal test results across substation apparatus mentioned
  • Performing and analyzing diagnostic and routine maintenance on transformers including oil sampling, dissolved gas analysis (DGA), and power factor testing
  • Maintenance and testing of switchgears, including metal-clad and metal-enclosed types
  • Conducting maintenance and diagnostics on circuit breakers, including SF6 breakers, using tools such as T-Doble software for timing and motion analysis
  • Helping to prioritize maintenance tasks based on equipment condition and operational needs
• Supporting the development and upkeep of equipment operating manuals
• Maintaining and developing standard operating procedures (SOP)
• Participating in forecasting and planning for equipment replacements
• Analyzing test results and recommending maintenance actions
• Helping prioritize maintenance tasks based on equipment condition and operational needs
• Assisting with maintaining standards for substation spare parts and materials
• Helping ensure necessary materials and equipment are available and integrated into the system
• Supporting compliance with NERC PRC-005 standards related to substation assets, including DC systems and battery banks (e.g., VRLA, flooded lead-acid) - this includes reviewing test results and providing technical guidance, and ensuring documentation and testing procedures meet regulatory requirements
• Providing technical support for field personnel, particularly during outages, failure events, or capital upgrade projects
• Applying engineering judgment to resolve complex maintenance issues and documenting lessons learned to improve future reliability
• Collaborating with internal departments and external vendors/OEMs to coordinate maintenance activities, resolve technical issues, and ensure alignment with operational and engineering standards

Who You Are

• A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering is required - an emphasis in Power Systems is valued
• Demonstrated experience in substation maintenance engineering is required - substation design engineering experience is valued
• Possession of an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification and/or a Professional Engineer (PE) license is valued
• Knowledge of regulations unique to substations is valued (e.g., EPA, Wildlife Protection)
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver's license is required - the essential functions of this job require operating Colorado Springs Utilities' vehicles
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) and collaborate, as well as prioritize and adapt to changing operational needs

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or small amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions within an office working environment.

Who We Are

• One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation (over 500,000 customers)
• A national leader in reliability (power on an average of 99.991% of the time)
• Diamond Designation recipient from the American Public Power Association – a utility sector leader in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements

Our Commitment to Our Employees

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We don't just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: Earn up to $500 for healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and $400 in gym reimbursements
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250  annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness