Electrical Engineer 3

Overview
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Earth Systems Science Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, provides leadership and solutions that advance Earth system opportunities for energy systems and national security. We are a multidisciplinary division connected by a shared commitment to innovate and collaborate towards solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system.
Responsibilities
The Operational Systems Engineering group within the Earth Systems Science Division seeks a mid-career Electrical Engineer to support research, development, and deployment activities focused on power generation, hydropower, and pumped storage technologies. This position supports projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetics Office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and other federal and state stakeholders. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with engineers, scientists, project managers, and external partners to address the complex technical and operational challenges facing electrical power systems in critical utility infrastructure.
We are looking for a versatile engineer with strong foundational experience in either electrical power systems or industrial control systems (ICS), paired with hands-on experience in field construction, installation, commissioning, or plant modernization. You do not need to be an expert in every domain; rather, we value adaptable problem-solvers who understand how electrical and control systems are actually built, wired, tested, and operated in the field, and who are eager to collaborate across disciplines.
This Position Offers a Diverse Range Of Technical And Project-oriented Responsibilities. The Successful Applicant Will Need To Be Adaptable, Collaborative, And Capable Of Balancing Multiple Priorities Across Research And Applied Engineering Efforts. Duties Include:
Support or lead on-site engineering assessments of hydropower and utility electrical/control assets—such as generation and excitation systems, protection and control (P&C) schemes, switchgear, plant-level automation, PLCs, or turbine governors—to improve performance, reliability, and resilience.
Provide practical technical support and oversight in the field during facility construction, system upgrades, retrofits, and commissioning. Coordinate directly with construction crews, facility operators, subcontractors, and vendors to review drawings/submittals, verify installations, and ensure modernizations are implemented safely and without disrupting plant operations.
Develop practical engineering modernization roadmaps and technical requirements for aging electrical or control assets, addressing hardware lifecycles, constructability, system integration, and operational longevity.
Provide engineering guidance to ensure that new technologies, equipment upgrades, and security architectures are compatible with physical plant processes, safety logic, and operational requirements.
Author and present clear, high-quality technical deliverables—including field assessment reports, engineering specifications, test plans, and technical publications—to communicate findings to sponsors and partners.
Collaborate with scientists, cybersecurity specialists, and fellow engineers across early-stage R&D and applied field demonstration projects.
Support research and engineering activities spanning early-stage research and development through applied science and technology demonstration projects.
Contribute to the preparation of competitive research proposals and strategic project planning activities aligned with sponsor priorities and national energy objectives.
Manage or support research project execution, including coordination of technical activities, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholder communications.
Provide oversight and technical coordination for subcontractors and research partners supporting project activities and deliverables.
Some travel (for fieldwork, scientific conferences, and client networking) may be necessary depending on evolving project/programmatic needs and candidate interest.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant hydropower systems experience -OR-
MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant hydropower systems experience -OR-
PhD with 1+ year of relevant hydropower systems experience
Preferred Qualifications:
Based on project and client requirements, US citizenship is required.
Preferred degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Practical experience in any combination of the following technical areas (depth in some, not all, is expected):
Design, maintenance, or testing of low-, medium-, or high-voltage power distribution, generators, switchgear, or excitation systems.
Protective relays (e.g., SEL, GE, ABB) and protection & control (P&C) schemes or substation equipment.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS), including PLCs, RTUs, DCS, or HMIs from major vendors (e.g., Rockwell/Allen-
Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Emerson).
Turbine governors, plant-level automation, or balance-of-plant control systems.
Reading, redlining, or drafting electrical schematics, one-line/three-line diagrams, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams.
Demonstrated hands-on experience working in industrial, utility, or construction environments—such as supporting electrical/controls installation, point-to-point checkout, factory/site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), startup/commissioning, or construction management/oversight alongside trade crews and contractors.
Experience in hydropower, water/wastewater utilities, power generation, heavy industrial manufacturing, or federal infrastructure (e.g., USACE, Bureau of Reclamation, NAVFAC).
Knowledge of industrial/utility operational technology (OT) communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, EtherNet/IP) and an interest in collaborating with cybersecurity engineers to secure plant assets.
A Professional Engineer (PE) license is considered a plus.
Formal project management experience or certification is beneficial but not required.
Experience with data-oriented programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python, R) is considered a plus.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not Applicable.
Additional Information
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
Testing Designated Position
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
About PNNL
Pacific Northwest National Lab

Work arrangement
Yes