Project Engineer

Incorporated in 1948, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) provides reliable, cost-effective, environmentally balanced, wholesale electric services to our 11-member distribution cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Our core business is generating, purchasing, and delivering electricity to our members. ODEC is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative that operates for the benefit of our members, who are our owners. Our home office is located in Glen Allen, Virginia.


Purpose of Job

Seeking a creative, energetic, and passionate engineering professional to serve as a Project Engineer in the Glen Allen, VA home office. This position supports combustion turbine power plant, transmission, and diesel operations, as well as other internal departments. The position prepares and presents technical recommendations and reports; coordinates and oversees annual equipment testing for operations, regulatory agencies, and third parties; and identifies, resolves, and manages remedial actions. It serves as the technical lead in recommending and evaluating potential capital improvement and maintenance projects in collaboration with engineering consultants.

The position manages both conceptual and detailed engineering efforts, from scope development and scheduling through final contractor recommendation. It oversees project execution, including maintaining budget and schedule controls; identifies and resolves technical, budgetary, and schedule-related issues; conducts final inspections; and ensures completion of outstanding items through receipt of the turnover package. Additionally, the position supports department budget development.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support the Engineering Department's electrical projects and tasks for generation, transmission, and operations stakeholders.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve issues by developing and implementing effective solutions.
• Prepare and present technical recommendations and reports to the operations department.
• Review engineers' technical recommendations and reports prior to submission to the operations department.
• Participate in monthly diesel inspections, as required.
• Support annual equipment testing for operations, regulatory agencies, and third parties.
• Submit results to operations, regulatory agencies, or third parties, as required.
• Manage internal department requests and report status during staff meetings.
• Recommend potential projects during staff meetings that arise from technical support activities.
• Recommend, draft, and develop new policies and procedures, as required.
• Review and revise existing policies and procedures annually.
• Ensure draft policies and procedures are reviewed and approved by the Director of Engineering.
• Collaborate with Operations, Transmission, and Engineering Departments to recommend and determine potential capital improvement and maintenance projects.
• Organize and lead site meetings with engineering consultants and operations personnel to define requirements, review designs, and support project execution across all phases.
• Work with engineering consultants to develop designs and establish budgetary estimates.
• Present engineering consultant packages to the Director of Engineering and the Director of Transmission for review and discussion.
• Lead technical project discussions with operations and support project selection for senior management approval.
• Communicate final outcomes to the Director of Engineering.
• Manage the development of engineering task release scopes of work, assemble reference documentation, and develop preliminary project schedules for capital improvement and maintenance projects.
• Support the Contracts Department in obtaining engineering task release estimates.
• Review and approve engineering consultants' detailed scopes of work, design and construction drawings, and specifications.
• Lead and support the end-to-end RFP process, including developing technical requirements, evaluating bids, and recommending contractor selections in coordination with the Contracts Department.
• Manage all aspects of contractor activities on a daily basis at plant sites during project execution.
• Ensure projects remain at or below budget.
• Report variances within established timeframes.
• Manage and resolve issues that arise with contractors or plant personnel.
• Identify and resolve technical, operational, budgetary, and schedule-related issues, implementing appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure change orders are properly processed.
• Conduct final inspections, develop punch lists as needed, and ensure completion of outstanding items.
• Coordinate and manage warranty issues in collaboration with plant personnel, contractors, and the Contracts Department.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of turnover packages, including review of bills of materials, red-lined drawings, and vendor manuals.
• Record, document, and organize all data, reporting, and correspondence across technical support, engineering, and project activities, ensuring compliance with the corporate Records Management Standard.
• Support the preparation of the Engineering Department budget.

Work Experience

• Minimum 12 years of experience in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in power generation.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project management and/or project engineering.

Critical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Apply knowledge of electrical and/or mechanical standards, codes, and industry practices.
• Demonstrate knowledge of power plant equipment, protective relays, data acquisition systems, and communications equipment.
• Interpret power plant and transmission design drawings, including one-line diagrams, AC and DC schematics, wiring diagrams, and connection diagrams.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio, and Project.
• Apply knowledge of engineering and construction methods.
• Review, assess, and revise engineering designs and drawings.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present technical information.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Follow safety requirements, identify unsafe conditions, and recommend corrective actions.
• Organize and prioritize work effectively using sound time management practices.
• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis.
• Develop and recommend effective solutions prior to implementation.
• Maintain a valid driver's license.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrate advanced experience with power generation and transmission systems.
• Demonstrate experience working with engineering consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrate experience supporting capital project planning, budgeting, and execution.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (BSEE or BSME preferred).

Travel

• Travel is required in this position.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Perform frequent fieldwork, including walking over rough terrain in various weather conditions.
• Work outdoors in power plant and high-voltage substation environments.
• Walk on uneven surfaces, climb ladders, and access elevated platforms.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

We offer a competitive salary, defined-benefit retirement security (pension) plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k)-company match, vacation based on years of relevant experience, generous sick time accrual, and holiday pay, in addition to many other benefits. Please apply via this link for consideration.


ODEC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

No Phone Calls or Agencies Please

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.