SR. Technical Specialist-Electrical Engineering (21-017)

Description

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Position SR. Technical Specialist-Electrical Engineering

Organization KFI Engineers (KFI)

Location St. Paul, MN

Website http://www.kfiengineers.com/

COMPANY BACKGROUND

KFI is a recognized industry leader in process and facility infrastructure design and performance. We serve clients in the United States, Canada and Central America and have capabilities not commonly found in traditional engineering firms, including our commissioning work and our ability to drive projects of all sizes. 

KFI was established in 1996 to make a difference in the way infrastructure and processing projects are delivered. We employ a highly trained staff of engineers, technicians and managers who execute projects with the same care and creativity we would expect if we were the client. We are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Arizona, Ohio, and North Dakota with a team of 170 professionals.

The Senior Technical Specialist plays a key role in KFI’s delivery of engineering services to industrial, institutional and utility clients by providing industry-leading expertise in electrical power engineering. This individual will have at least 20 years of experience and be recognized by both clients and peers as among the leading practitioners regionally or nationally. The objective of this position is to leverage the individual’s knowledge and experience across all of KFI’s relevant business units and projects.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Project Execution

• Support the lead discipline engineer in problem definition, design approach, and technology selection.
• Meet with clients when requested to support major decisions and defining project goals.
• Provide technical consultation and guidance to the project team as requested or determined to be necessary.
• Periodically review the progress of project deliverables for quality, technical accuracy and compliance with KFI standards. 
• Execute or lead the execution of project tasks where appropriate due to degree of difficulty, client preference, or other consideration.
• Assist in investigation and root cause analysis of equipment and system failures and implementing preventative measures into KFI standards.

Business Development

• Maintain an active role in a technical society or professional association.
• Regularly present and/or publish in forums that provide exposure for KFI.
• Engage current and prospective clients through participation in conferences, trade associations, and technical society activities.
• Support project pursuits by participating in pre-proposal meetings and discussions, contributing to and/or reviewing proposals, and participating in selection interviews. 
• Develop and deliver technical presentations or seminars for KFI’s clients on topics relevant to their business. 

Standards Development

• Develop and maintain standard requirements for the quality and content of deliverables including drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Identify and guide the development of tools to improve productivity and quality of work including design standards, quality review guidelines, and standard details.
• Maintain the currency and technical quality of master specifications.

Staff Development

• Mentor the technical development of peers and junior staff through regular interaction with project teams.
•  Utilize project QC reviews and lessons-learned sessions as teaching opportunities to increase staff knowledge and eliminate   repetitive errors.
•  Recommend formal training and staff development necessary to maintain KFI’s technical expertise at an industry-leading level.
• Develop and deliver internal training for KFI staff as requested or determined to be necessary. 

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS 

Understanding the Business

• Knows the business and the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to do the job; understands the “KFI way” – our Mission, Vision and processes. Learns new methods and technologies easily.

Getting Organized

•  Is well organized and resourceful; effective and efficient at marshalling multiple resources to get things done; lays out tasks in sufficient detail to mark the trail; is able to get things done with less and in less time; can work on multiple tasks at once without losing track; foresees and plans around obstacles.

Focusing on Action and Outcomes

• Attacks everything with drive and energy with an eye on the bottom line; not afraid to initiate action before all the facts are known; drives to finish  everything he/she starts.

Focusing on the Customer

• Identifies and anticipates customer requirements, expectations, and needs. Creates systems and processes that make it easy for customers to do business with  the company. Ensures that customer issues are resolved.

Communicating Effectively

• Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; strongly gets a message across.

Influencing Others

• Ensures  that proposals or arguments are supported by strong logic and a compelling business case, addressing all relevant factors. Identifies the agendas, concerns, and motivations of others.

Builds Relationships

• Treats people with respect; relates well to people regardless of their organization level, personality, or background. Encourages others to express their views, even those contrary to current thinking.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• 20 years of experience required. 
• P.E. license required. 

EDUCATION

A Bachelors’ degree in Electrical Engineering. P.E. license required. MSEE preferred.

• Working knowledge of AC and DC power system theory and calculations including network analysis, power flow, fault calculations, rotating machine performance, and symmetrical components.  
• Expertise in power system studies including short circuit, protective device coordination, load flow, reactive power flow, and arc flash hazard analysis. Experience  with reliability and/or stability analysis a plus.
• Able to develop microprocessor-based protective relay settings for lines, bus, feeders, transformers, motors and generators including experience with directional, impedance, differential, and communications-assisted schemes. 
• Experience in analyzing protective relay event reports (Comtrade files).
• Thorough knowledge of specification and application requirements (including relevant industry standards) for medium-voltage equipment including cables, transformers, motors, generators, switchgear, variable frequency drives, and protection and control components.
• Knowledge of electrical codes applicable to industrial and utility installations including NFPA 70, NFPA 70E and the NESC.