Electrical Engineer

System Engineer

Come join us at Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) and BEC Fiber, where we are lighting the grid to empower our members! Help us Reimagine Rural America!

Established in 1938, Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) is a member-owned cooperative dedicated to providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to its members. BEC serves more than 30,000 members and delivers electric service to 42,000 active meters across a seven-county territory in the Texas Hill Country, with more than 140 employees. Since 2017, BEC has also offered fiber-optic broadband internet to its rural communities, and it provides behind-the-meter energy solutions, including Apolloware, an advanced real-time energy management platform, solar power installations, and energy storage systems.

Why work for BEC?

We offer Highly Competitive Wages and a Generous Benefit Package!!

Pay range: $84,400 to $227,100 annually, depending on level and experience (see level ranges under Experience below)

Health, Life and Disability Benefits (no waiting period – benefits start on first day)

• Medical, Dental and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a generous employer contribution of $3,250 for Individual medical coverage and $6,500 for Family medical coverage
• Company-paid Employee Life insurance and Business Travel insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability plans
• Supplemental Life and AD&D insurance options

Retirement Benefits

• 401(k) employer match
• Pension plan

Additional Benefits

• PTO – Accrue 180 hours/4.5 weeks of PTO per year to start
• 10 Paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Gym reimbursement for you and your spouse

We are looking for System Engineers to join the BEC Engineering team and help plan, protect, and build the distribution, substation, and transmission system that serves our members. Our engineers complete system planning studies, perform protection and coordination analysis, develop construction and material standards, and support engineering and project management for construction and upgrade projects, working with technicians and other engineers to ensure safe, reliable, and economical service. This posting covers five levels – System Engineer I, II, III, IV, and Senior System Engineer – and candidates will be considered for the level that matches their education, licensure, and experience. All positions report to the Engineering Director.

Duties and Responsibilities (scope, independence, and leadership increase with each level)

• Complete planning studies, including load flows, motor starts, system planning, DG additions, capacitor/power factor, load forecast, and power quality studies, to ensure the system can adequately, reliably, and economically serve existing and future load.
• Perform system protection analysis and coordination to ensure protective devices perform as designed, and investigate protective device mis-operations or improper coordination.
• Prepare construction and material specifications and develop and modify standards that provide for a safe, reliable, and economic system.
• Perform engineering and project management duties to construct and upgrade distribution, substation, and transmission facilities.
• Work with technicians and other engineers to ensure safe operating conditions, and provide annual reports and updates on system reliability.
• Make recommendations to management on initiatives such as distribution automation, advanced metering, SCADA, and grid resiliency plans.
• Provide safe, efficient, and dependable service to BEC members at the lowest possible cost.
• Provide direction, training, and guidance to coworkers and other engineers as experience level allows.
• Stay informed of all company policies and procedures and participate in all safety and training meetings.
• Use all personal protective equipment provided.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) is required for all levels.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license is required for System Engineer IV and Senior System Engineer, and is one of the qualifying options for System Engineer III (see below).

Experience

Placement at a level is based on the candidate's education, licensure, and experience. Pay is listed for each level; placement within a range depends on experience.

• System Engineer I – No experience required. Entry-level position assisting with planning studies, protection analysis, and specifications under the direction of senior engineers. Pay range: $84,400 to $99,500 annually.
• System Engineer II – Minimum of 18 months of related engineering experience and Engineer In Training (EIT) certification, or 4 years of related engineering experience. Independently completes planning studies and specifications on routine projects. Pay range: $103,000 to $125,200 annually.
• System Engineer III – Minimum of 4 years of related work experience, and one of the following: a Professional Engineering (PE) license; 10 years of related work experience; or 8 years of related work experience and a postgraduate engineering degree. Leads moderately complex projects and owns protection and standards work. Pay range: $117,400 to $146,000 annually.
• System Engineer IV – PE license and a minimum of 4 years of related work experience as a Professional Engineer (2 years with a postgraduate engineering degree). Leads complex projects and serves as the technical authority in a specialty area. Pay range: $140,700 to $173,600 annually.
• Senior System Engineer – PE license and a minimum of 10 years of related work experience as a Professional Engineer (8 years with a postgraduate engineering degree). Sets engineering standards, advises management on strategy, and mentors engineers. Pay range: $162,700 to $227,100 annually.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge and skills in electrical engineering; depth of knowledge expected increases with level.
• Knowledge of distribution planning studies, processes, and modeling software.
• Knowledge of substation and transmission facilities.
• Knowledge of protective relaying systems and the protective devices used to ensure grid resiliency.
• Knowledge of overhead (OH) and underground (UG) design and construction specifications.
• Familiarity with smart grid initiatives, AMI and MDM systems, GIS, OMS, distribution automation, and distributed energy resources.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with sound engineering judgment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work with increasing independence, managing engineering projects with minimal supervision at higher levels.
• Ability to provide direction, guidance, and mentoring to other engineers at higher levels.
• Must have valid Texas driver's license and related insurance.
• Must pass background check and drug screening.

Working Conditions

The working conditions for this position involve a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and a focus on multiple tasks and projects, including complex or varied tasks. The work environment is primarily an office setting, with a focus on computer work and analysis using engineering software and tools; when needed, this position requires working outdoors in all weather conditions. The position may require occasional travel, including overnight travel, to other locations within the Cooperative. Tobacco free, professional office environment.

Physical Requirements

Sit for prolonged periods; reach and extend the arms, with a focus on chest-to-shoulder movements; and perform wrist flexion and extension. Occasional walking and standing are required. Sensory demands include hearing, speech, near vision, and far vision.

BEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.