Principal Engineer - Distribution Planning

Reports to: Manager - Distribution Planning
Location: In Office,  Rochester NY

The base salary range for this position is dependent upon experience and location, ranging from:

• $128,320 - $160,400

What We Offer:

• Competitive benefits and growth opportunities
• Generous performance‑based bonuses
• 12% 401(k) match
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development and clear career‑advancement pathways

For more information, please visit: Benefits - Avangrid

Job Summary

Independently lead and perform highly complex distribution system studies including voltage, thermal, N‑1, reliability, resiliency, and power quality assessments. Serve as a recognized technical authority in Distribution Planning, providing expert guidance on system design, DER interconnections, and long-term system strategy.

Lead development and execution of comprehensive planning studies and capital plans (including 10-year outlooks), identifying system deficiencies and recommending innovative and cost-effective solutions, including Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA).

Drive technical excellence by mentoring engineers, leading cross-functional initiatives, and influencing internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory and industry forums. Act as a key contributor to strategic planning, policy development, and continuous improvement of planning methodologies, tools, and processes.

Represent the organization in industry groups and support regulatory proceedings, providing expert analysis and testimony when needed.

Support storm restoration efforts and may act on behalf of the Manager when required.

Behavioral Skills and Requirements

Leadership Competencies

• Provide enterprise-level technical leadership across distribution planning activities and initiatives

• Lead and influence cross-OpCo and cross-functional teams on high-impact, complex programs

• Serve as a recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME) internally and externally

• Mentor, coach, and develop engineers; actively shape team technical capabilities

• Drive alignment across departments, balancing technical, financial, and regulatory objectives

• Communicate complex technical topics clearly to executives, regulators, and external stakeholders

• Demonstrate strong ownership, autonomy, and accountability in ambiguous and evolving environments

Behavioral Competencies

• Develop self & others

• Empower to grow

• Collaborate and share

• Be a role model

• Focus to achieve results

• Be agile

Technical Skills and Requirements

The following skills and associated competency levels are desired of those candidates seeking a position in Distribution Planning.  However, offsetting industry and other relevant technical skills will be considered for candidates without previous experience in these Distribution Planning activities (e.g. T&D Engineering, P&C, etc.).

Technical Skills/Competencies

• Theoretical Engineering knowledge: Planning, Operations and Engineering Design, Analytics, Modeling & Calculation (e.g. sym. Components, per unit, etc.), Understanding the Business Model

• Practical Engineering Experience/Application: Planning, Operations and Engineering Design, Construction, (e.g. field experience, standardization, develop business case and defend in front of stakeholders)

• Engineering documentation: Ability to adequately document and interpret engineering documentation, review and approve engineering work done by others

• Knowledge of Regulatory and Compliance Environment: Local, State and Federal Regulatory Standards and Requirements (NERC, NPCC, ISO, PUC, etc.)

Functional Job Specific Competencies

• Power System Studies - Knowledge & Interpretation of Study Assumptions and Results: (e.g. Comprehensive Area Studies, Power Flow, DER, Voltage, Contingency, phase imbalance, Power Factor correction, Short Circuit, reliability, resiliency, Capacity, distribution automation, etc.)

• Software Proficiency - Power System Analytics: (e.g. CYME, PSSE, ASPEN, etc.)

• System Planning & Capital Strategy: Experience developing and prioritizing multi-year capital investment plans aligned with system needs, reliability, and regulatory drivers

• Innovation & Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA): Ability to evaluate alternative solutions and contribute to innovative planning approaches and process improvements

Education & Experience Requirements:

• BSEE required

• Advanced degree (MSEE or equivalent) preferred

• PE License preferred

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Distribution Planning, Reliability, or DER integration

• Demonstrated expertise in complex system studies, planning strategy, and cross-functional leadership

• Experience engaging with regulatory bodies and industry organizations strongly preferred

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Mobility Information

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country.

At Avangrid we provide fair and equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tool to search for or to apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our People and Organization department at [email protected].

Avangrid employees may be assigned a system emergency role and in the event of a system emergency, may be required to work outside of their regular schedule/job duties. This is applicable to employees that will work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within Avangrid Network and Corporate functions.  This does not include those that will work for Avangrid Power.

Avangrid employees may also be assigned a NERC Reliability Standards compliance role supporting Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and/or Operations and Planning (O&P) responsibilities. This is applicable to employees that will work in electric transmission, operations, and cyber security business areas in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within Avangrid Network and Corporate business areas. NERC Reliability Standards compliance roles and responsibilities may include additional access protections, training, audit engagement, and required evidence retention, and will be communicated by the employee’s management.

Job Posting End Date: