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Electrical Engineer (Basecase Development)


Job Location:

Vancouver, WA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 130328 - 130328
Posted: 6 October 2026 (10 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration in Transmission Grid Modeling (TPMG) organization of Communications & Grid Modeling Planning & Asset Management Transmission Services.

A successful candidate in the Electrical Engineer (Basecase Development) position works both internally and externally to develop the seed basecases used by the Northwest area utilities according to the WECC Base Case Compilation Schedule in accordance with industry and NERC standards.


Duties

As an Electrical Engineer (Basecase Developmen) you will:

  • In collaboration with other internal and external organizations develop the operational basecases used in the determination of System Operating Limits (SOLs) and Existing Transmission Commitments (ETCs) and develop the planning basecases used in the determination of future transmission projects.
  • Maintain verify and coordinate modeling parameters in accordance with all applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards.
  • Serve as a point of contact when working with BPA Customer Service Engineers or customer utilities directly to gather new or updated powerflow modeling information in support of basecase creation.
  • Work as a team member in the Transmission Grid Modeling group to assist in resolving problems associated with utilities data submittals for use in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) basecase development process for the NW area.
  • Develop generation patterns load conditions voltage profiles and regulation to ensure realistic system conditions for both the planning and operations time horizon

Requirements
Conditions of employment

    In accordance with Executive Order 14170 applicants are encouraged to respond to four short free-response essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

    When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

    Key Requirements:

    • You must be a United States Citizen.
    • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
    • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
    • You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.
    Conditions of Employment:
    • After employment this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense if exposed to health hazards.
    Qualifications

    BASIC REQUIREMENT:
    A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable the program must: (1) lead to a bachelors degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics such as optics heat transfer soil mechanics or electronics.
    -OR-
    B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering and (2) a good understanding both theoretical and practical of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

    1. Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI) Engineer in Training (EIT) or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico. -OR-
    2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States the District of Columbia Guam and Puerto Rico. -OR-
    3. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical mathematical and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. -OR-
    4. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors degree in an appropriate scientific field e.g. engineering technology physics chemistry architecture computer science mathematics hydrology or geology may be accepted in lieu of a bachelors degree in engineering provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience e.g. in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

    For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidates resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in applying advanced electrical engineering theories concepts and principles sufficient to use modify or develop powerflow basecases used in operations and planning studies.

    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

    Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

    CTAP candidates: To be considered well qualified you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

    You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

    Additional information

    • The salary is based on a Special Rate Table Number 0754 (Vancouver WA): job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE
    EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center Equal employment opportunity policy
    Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
    USAJOBS Help Center Reasonable accommodation policy

    Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments
    here.
    Veterans Information:
    USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
    Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
    Telework: Service Registration: - Who must register: incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

    BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

    We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community home and family members. BPA also supports employees overall wellness through its Be Well program which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career community financial physical and social.

    Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


    Required Experience:

    IC