Senior Distribution Planning Engineer

Hybrid | Multiple Locations Across New England

Note: Sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa support (TN, H-1b, OPT, etc.)

Position Overview

A leading electric utility organization is seeking a Senior Distribution Planning Engineer to support system planning initiatives throughout a multi-state service territory. This individual will play a key role in evaluating long-term distribution system needs, developing infrastructure solutions, and supporting grid modernization efforts related to load growth and emerging technologies.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise in electric distribution systems with the ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, asset management, and regulatory teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex distribution planning studies to identify reliability, capacity, and asset performance concerns across substations and feeder networks.
• Develop short-, medium-, and long-range system plans addressing demand growth, equipment constraints, asset replacement, and distributed energy resource integration.
• Create, maintain, and validate detailed distribution system models used for technical analysis and system forecasting.
• Evaluate system performance under normal and contingency conditions and recommend reinforcement or expansion strategies.
• Conduct load flow, voltage, power factor, and reliability studies for distribution systems.
• Support planning efforts associated with solar generation, battery energy storage systems, electric vehicle adoption, and other evolving grid technologies.
• Recommend future substations, feeder expansions, and infrastructure upgrades based on forecasted system needs.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, standards, and asset management teams to assess project feasibility and economic justification.
• Develop technical documentation supporting capital investment decisions and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Interface with external stakeholders, regulators, and industry organizations as required.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to less experienced engineers.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to internal leadership and project stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Preference given to candidates with a focus in Electric Power Systems.
• Master's degree considered a plus.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in power system planning, distribution engineering, utility operations, or related electric utility functions.
• Experience evaluating distribution substations, feeder systems, and networked distribution infrastructure.
• Demonstrated understanding of utility planning methodologies and long-term system development.

Technical Skills

• Experience performing power system studies using industry-standard modeling and simulation software.
• Familiarity with tools such as CYME, Synergi, or similar distribution system analysis platforms.
• Knowledge of load flow analysis, contingency planning, and system forecasting techniques.
• Understanding of grid modernization initiatives, including distributed generation, energy storage, and transportation electrification.
• Knowledge of utility planning standards, engineering practices, and regulatory considerations.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and technical writing abilities.

Preferred Credentials

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Experience supporting regulatory filings or utility planning reports is beneficial.

Additional Information

• Occasional travel throughout the regional service territory may be required.
• Participation in emergency response and restoration activities may be expected during system events.

Ideal Background

This opportunity is well suited for an engineer who has experience developing distribution infrastructure plans, performing advanced system studies, and supporting utility investment decisions while helping modernize the electric grid for future growth and reliability needs.