21st August, 2026
TRANSMISSION PLANNING ENGINEER (Engineer I through Principal — Depends on Experience)
This role may also be known as: Transmission System Planning Engineer, Power System Planning Engineer, Electric Transmission Engineer, Power Flow & Reliability Engineer
You'll build the models, run the studies, and shape the recommendations that determine how a regional transmission system grows and stays reliable. This role is open across a full career band, from a developing engineer building foundational skills to a Principal Engineer serving as the team's go-to technical authority — with clear runway between those two points. It's hybrid, it's stable, and it's real infrastructure work that doesn't disappear when the market shifts.
Why This Opportunity Is Different
This isn't a narrow, single-task engineering seat — you'll get exposure to the full planning lifecycle, from long-range planning and generation interconnection studies to load service studies and capital project recommendations. The role is structured to grow with you, with a clear technical progression from Engineer I through Principal Engineer and senior team members actively mentoring along the way. You'll also see a direct line from your analysis to real outcomes, since the studies you run feed actual capital planning and reliability decisions rather than a shelf report.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and maintain power flow base cases and supporting transmission planning models
- Perform contingency, voltage, and transient stability analyses to identify system limitations
- Evaluate study results and model alternative solutions to resolve reliability or capacity issues
- Support feasibility, system impact, load service, and generation interconnection studies
- Apply NERC Reliability Standards and WECC System Performance Criteria to planning work
- Prepare technical reports, exhibits, and recommendations for capital transmission projects
- Coordinate technical inputs with internal teams, consultants, interconnected utilities, and regional planning groups
- Represent the organization in regional transmission planning discussions as experience grows
What We're Looking For - Bachelor's degree in an engineering field
- Power engineering experience — the specific years required depend on which level the role is filled at, ranging from entry-level (no prior experience required) up to ten-plus years of progressively responsible transmission planning experience for the Principal Engineer level
- Working knowledge of, or strong aptitude for, power flow and stability analysis software
- Understanding of, or ability to quickly learn, NERC Standards and WECC System Performance Criteria
- Strong technical writing skills and the ability to present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences alike
- Comfort managing multiple concurrent studies and shifting priorities
- Preferred: Engineer-in-Training certification or completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (especially at developing levels), Professional Engineer licensure (especially at senior levels), prior electric utility experience, and hands-on experience with PowerWorld
Compensation & Work Model Compensation is structured by level and depends on experience, ranging from approximately $80,366 to $249,064 annually across the full Engineer I through Principal Engineer band. This is a hybrid role combining in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.
Location & Travel Based in Ephrata, Washington, with hybrid work eligibility. Some work in field and construction environments should be expected as needed.
How to Apply To apply or learn more, contact: Aimee.Santos@tappwfs.com
About TAPP Workforce Solutions TAPP Workforce Solutions is a specialized recruitment and workforce solutions firm supporting organizations across skilled trades, engineering, manufacturing, and professional services. We act as an extension of our clients' teams, delivering thoughtful, relationship-driven hiring solutions focused on long-term fit, performance, and retention.
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