Design Engineer - Power Transformer

Job Function

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Plan, execute and co-ordinate technically complex Materiel Management assignments for engineered commodities through the total life cycle process from pre-tender planning, on-time delivery, in-service performance to decommissioning. Review the adequacy of competitive sources, prepare tendering documents, review bidders' lists, evaluate tenders and ensure the resolution of tender non-conformance (technical and commercial), award contracts, negotiate sole source and only acceptable source contracts, assign/perform inspection, and ensure jurisdictional requirements are met. Conduct/participate in technical/design review meetings with suppliers. Review and approve equipment drawings incorporating comments from others. Review claims, and progress payments. Act as a resource to requisitioners and suppliers and as an engineering consultant on assigned commodities.

Job Description:

TECHNICAL

• Analyze and provide recommendations on the suitability and application of complex equipment. Locate supply sources for equipment required at short notice to meet unusual requirements and other contingent situations. Perform feasibility studies with respect to ease of manufacture, installation and reliable service. Co-ordinate these studies with suppliers and customers.
• Prepare specifications or review specifications and final tendering documents prepared by others. Ensure established supplier capability against specified needs. Ensure resolution of any areas of concern. Ensure that clear acceptance criteria exists. Review specifications to ensure technical and commercial conditions conform to standards, policies, practices and jurisdictional requirements. Resolve areas of conflict whether in commercial, quality or technical areas. Issue requests for quotes and tenders and any subsequent addenda.
• Investigate and assess industries' ability to meet specific system needs and develop new sources as required. Evaluate plant facilities, human resources and quality assurance capability with potential suppliers. Investigate potential suppliers' technical competence, delivery performance and commercial acceptance with other utilities. Monitor suppliers' performance and provide assistance to new suppliers to be recommended for inclusion on future bid lists. Investigate unsatisfactory vendor performance and work with supplier to correct the situation. Maintain current records on suppliers' capabilities and performance.
• Analyze tenders. Evaluate technical, compliance with sustainable energy development principles, and the relative maintainability and reliability of the various submissions. Determine pertinent factors requiring comments from other sections, departments and divisions. Obtain technical clarifications through tender review meetings or correspondence.
• Prepare as required, product verification plans based on past experience and knowledge of product function, required level of reliability and maintainability, site installation co-ordinations, supplier capability, etc. Ensure inspection assignment adds value. Review supplier product inspection plans, manufacturing schedules and test plans and approve. If unacceptable, negotiate necessary changes. Review manufacturing procedures as required.
• Monitor technical and interface details for complex equipment contracts from the award to the completion of the warranty period. Check manufacturers' drawings and conduct relevant contract correspondence. Negotiate with suppliers, on (any) failure to comply with standard specifications, tendering documents or purchase contracts; changes to purchase contracts; and remedial action on defective equipment and materials. In accordance with the purchase contract, specification and tendering documents, settle cost responsibilities and endeavor to expedite service or replacement in the field. Refer the more complex settlements for supervisory discussion and assistance.
• Conduct/participate in design/technical reviews as required with participation from customer and inspection staff to ensure technical compliance. Chair technical meetings as required with suppliers. Ensure minutes of meetings and reports are produced promptly.
• Ensure that suppliers have the requisite quality programs. Review and accept quality assurance manuals and program implementations. Participate as required in audits of supplier quality programs and maintain necessary documentation.
• Monitor progress and resolve difficulties related to products and services during manufacture and testing or at site. Resolve equipment problems arising from in-warranty complaints, equipment failures and other sources. Decide, after discussion of costs and benefits with supplier and various Ontario Hydro groups involved, on the best solution to the problems and ensure corrective action is taken and specifications are altered if required for future purchases.
• Act as an engineering consultant to other sections, departments, divisions and outside organizations for specific types of complex equipment. Maintain awareness of current innovations in equipment design, manufacture, test, use, etc. through perusal of literature, and utilize past experience, contacts with other utilities and suppliers to generally keep abreast in this field. Maintain a continuing contact with experts in the major manufacturing companies and other utilities, to obtain or supply information. Answer queries from various Ontario Hydro groups on application, availability of equipment on markets, need for new developments, etc.
• Study current practices in regard to ratings, methods of insulation and operation of complex equipment to seek improvements and reduce costs, but without sacrificing reliability. Take initiative to encourage new applications of equipment and technology to the power system where advantages could result.
• Participate in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) meetings, in the preparation of National and International standards for major equipment.

COMMERCIAL

• Review the adequacy of competitive sources and take corrective action where sources are insufficient. Develop and implement a procurement strategy taking into account the marketplace and the needs of the customer.
• Participate in the funding approval process with the System Reserve group in accordance with the signing authority register. Assist System Reserve group in the preparation of approval documents.
• Analyze commercial aspects and economic differences of tenders. Determine relative merits of alternative bids. Chair pre-tender meetings with suppliers and customers to clarify engineering, commercial, delivery and quality elements of tenders. Prepare a memorandum for purchase approval and submit the same to the Supervisor for information/approval.
• Prepare the various purchase documents such as commercial tender reviews, price competition sheets, letters of intent, awards, purchase orders and instruction notices using computerized materiel management systems. Arrange, as required, post-award meetings with suppliers and inspection staff to ensure a clear understanding of contractual responsibilities.
• Monitor commercial aspects of complex equipment contracts from award to the completion of the warranty period. Chair commercial meetings as necessary with suppliers.
• Assess vendor performance during the execution of work to ensure contractual requirements are being met and to establish a performance record to be used in the placing of future business. Review correctness and approve payment of invoices. Assess construction and operating reports on performance and update performance databases.
• Participate in marketing of technical expertise and sale of surplus major equipment to organizations outside Ontario Hydro as assigned.
• Exercise designated signing authority as per the Organizational Authority Register (OAR).
• This job requires incumbents to possess their Professional Engineering Ontario (PEO) License (P.ENG License) and seal to approve engineering work done by themselves or others

OTHER

• Periodically or as assigned by Supervisor, supervise staff delegated to assist with studies and work programs, and assign work to staff giving technical/commercial advice and guidance as well as check completed work.
• Perform other duties as required.