Engineering Associate 1

Pay Grade

12

Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level

Position Summary

The Research and Innovation Engineering Associate is a strategy and stakeholder-oriented role that supports CPS Energy's ability to identify, evaluate, and advance the technologies and initiatives that will define the next generation of the utility. This position is primarily about influence, relationship-building, and strategic judgment. The Associate operates at the intersection of CPS Energy's business units, external technology partners, peer utilities, and academic and industry research institutions, serving as a connector who understands enough about how an electric power grid works to ask the right questions and engage the right people, and enough about business and strategy to help shape how CPS Energy decides where to invest. The role is responsible for helping develop and implement the frameworks, processes, and partnerships through which CPS Energy evaluates and commits to new technologies and strategic initiatives.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Strategy, Frameworks, and Investment Decisions
•    Support the development and implementation of frameworks for evaluating and prioritizing technology investments and strategic        initiatives across the R&I portfolio.
•    Help translate business unit needs, industry signals, and technology market developments into structured recommendations for CPS Energy leadership.
•    Assist in building and maintaining the R&I technology pipeline, tracking initiative status, evaluation stage, and business unit ownership across the portfolio.
•    Support the design of pilot programs, including success criteria, measurement approaches, and criteria for scaling to full deployment.
Cross-Functional Engagement and Internal Influence
•    Build relationships and work cross-functionally across CPS Energy business units including T&D, Rates, Power Generation, Customer Services, Government Affairs, and Finance to advance R&I initiatives.
•    Serve as a connector between R&I leadership and internal subject matter experts, ensuring technical work is scoped, coordinated, and moving in the right direction without necessarily executing that technical work directly.
•    Support preparation of materials for VP-level reviews, cross-functional team charters, and leadership decision cycles.
•    Assist in managing stakeholder dynamics around emerging initiatives, including identifying where alignment exists and where it needs to be built.
External Relationships and Industry Intelligence
•    Engage cross-functionally with technology partners, vendors, peer utilities, and academic and industry research institutions to develop and maintain the external relationships that keep CPS Energy informed and connected.
•    Monitor industry trends, peer utility programs, and technology market developments across R&I portfolio domains; synthesize findings into actionable intelligence for internal audiences.
•    Represent CPS Energy at industry conferences, technical forums, and partner engagements as assigned; produce structured trip reports and briefing materials following attendance.
•    Support outreach to strategic partners and help develop the value propositions that make CPS Energy an attractive counterpart for external engagement.
Communication and Deliverables
•    Develop executive-ready presentations, briefing documents, and one-pagers that communicate complex technology and market topics clearly to non-technical and senior audiences.
•    Assist with gathering and synthesizing information for both internal and external stakeholders.
•    Support R&I leadership in preparing for high-stakes internal and external meetings.
•    Perform other project and process improvement initiatives as assigned.

Minimum Skills

Minimum Knowledge and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications

•    Engineer In Training (EIT) designation from Texas Board of Professional Engineers
•    Coursework, internship, or work experience in energy markets, utility strategy, transportation electrification, grid modernization, or sustainability
•    Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence outcomes across organizational boundaries
•    Familiarity with electric power grid operations, EV charging infrastructure, demand response, or utility rate structures at a conceptual level sufficient to engage credibly with technical subject matter experts
•    Experience developing executive-level presentations, strategic briefings, or policy documents that synthesize complex topics for non-technical audiences
•    Exposure to technology evaluation, business case development, or innovation program management
•    Experience representing an organization at external conferences, industry forums, or partner engagements
•    Basic experience with electric distribution or transmission systems
•    Technical writing experience or college coursework in technical writing
•    Experience with SAP or Work Manager software

Competencies

Minimum Education

Required Certifications

Working Environment

Physical Demands