Material Failure Engineer, (Sr, Principal) Salt Lake City, UT 114354

POWER YOUR GREATNESS

PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability inclusion & belonging.

General Purpose

The Material Failure Engineer provides technical expertise in the evaluation, analysis, and prevention of equipment and material failures across the utility’s substation, transmission and distribution systems. This role ensures that lessons learned from material performance are translated into improved reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness for utility operations. The engineer will collaborate with field crews, standards and engineering teams, suppliers, and manufacturers to identify root causes of failures, determine the scope of affected materials and facilities, and recommend corrective actions that strengthen long-term asset performance.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and analyze failures of materials, components, and equipment used in transmission and distribution systems.
• Perform root cause analyses (RCA) using industry best practices, laboratory testing, and engineering methodologies.
• Develop and implement strategies to determine the scope of affected materials, including identifying impacted assets, facilities, and geographic areas.
• Support replacement of the utility’s material failure database, and maintaining the new one, ensuring data accuracy and the ability to proactively identify performance trends.
• Work closely with standards engineering, supply chain, and operations to recommend changes to material specifications, design standards, or vendor qualifications.
• Provide technical guidance to field operations during emergent events, including equipment breakdowns and system outages.
• Develop and deliver technical reports, presentations, and recommendations to leadership, regulatory bodies, and other internal, as well as external stakeholders as needed.
• Support procurement and vendor management by evaluating supplier performance and participating in failure-related warranty or claims processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing reliability, extending asset life, and reducing system risk.
• Act as a lead/expert in the work group; train and mentor lower levels.

Requirements

• • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, electrical engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred) from an accredited college/university.
  • A minimum of five or more years of relevant engineering experience in utility substation, transmission and distribution or related industries.
  • Strong knowledge of materials science, metallurgy, polymers, or failure analysis techniques.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply material failure analysis tools (X-ray spectroscopy, hardness testing, tensile testing, impact testing and non-destructive evaluation methods).

• • Experience with root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., fault tree, FMEA, 5-Whys).
  • Familiarity with utility substation, transmission and distribution equipment, standards, and operations.
  • Proficiency with data analysis tools and technical reporting.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple investigations simultaneously and deliver timely, accurate results under both routine and emergent conditions.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations and the National Electric Codes. 
  • Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining focus and calmness.
  • Proficient with the use of personal computers including automated tools.

   

  In addition to the above, the principal Material Failure Engineer position requirements include:

  • A minimum of ten or more years of relevant engineering experience in utility substation, transmission and distribution or related industries.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations and the National Electric Codes. 
  • Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining focus and calmness.

Preferences

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe is desirable.
   

Additional Information

Req Id: 114354 
Company Code: PACIFICORP
Primary Location: SALT LAKE CITY     
Department: Power Delivery 
Schedule: FT 
Personnel Subarea: Exempt
Hiring Range: $102,000-$161,370  
This position is eligible for an annual discretionary performance incentive bonus of up to 15.00% of salary.  

 
Benefits: Health care, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance, paid short-term and long-term disability, paid bereavement leave. For more information, please visit: https://careers.pacificorp.com/content/New-Benefits-Page/?locale=en_US 

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation.

PacifiCorp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.

Unless otherwise required by law, all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening including for marijuana. While marijuana is legal in several states, including Oregon, a positive test for positions in Oregon may disqualify a candidate. The company complies with the laws of Washington and California and only obtains and considers positive tests for marijuana in safety-sensitive positions or those covered by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.