Principal Engineer - GIS

Job Summary

The Principal Engineer – GIS serves as the senior technical authority for all geospatial engineering, mapping standards, and spatial data governance supporting NYSEG and RG&E electric transmission and substation systems. This role provides strategic leadership across the full lifecycle of GIS data creation, validation, modeling, analytics, integration, visualization, and enterprise deployment enabling capital planning, system reliability, real estate, routing, environmental compliance, asset management, digital design workflows, and regulatory reporting.

Recognized as the organization’s subject matter expert (SME) in geospatial engineering and digital mapping technologies, the Principal Engineer establishes technical criteria, directs enterprise GIS architecture, and drives system improvements with broad operational and regulatory impact. The role leads high complexity spatial studies including transmission routing, environmental constraints analysis, encroachment identification, digital twin development, LiDAR modeling, and integration of GIS with engineering systems such as PLS CADD, SAP, ADMS/OMS, and asset analytics platforms.

This position reports directly to the Senior Manager of Engineering Services, working with minimal oversight while supporting project managers, construction managers, system planners, real estate, environmental permitting teams, and executive leadership. The role ensures that all GIS based engineering deliverables meet Avangrid standards and support the Powering New York (PNY) portfolio, aligned with New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Standards

• Serve as the enterprise technical authority for GIS engineering, developing and enforcing spatial data standards, metadata rules, accuracy thresholds, QA/QC protocols, and system governance across NYSEG and RG&E.
• Lead enterprise GIS architecture and technology strategy, guiding future state capabilities such as LiDAR integration, digital substations, 3D modeling, and grid modernization data platforms.
• Define engineering criteria for GIS data quality, ensuring accuracy sufficient for routing, permitting, transmission design, substation planning, property acquisitions, regulatory filings, and system operations needs.

Advanced Geospatial Analysis

• Conduct and approve complex geospatial analyses including:
  • Transmission line routing and alternative routing studies
  • Environmental and permitting constraints modeling
  • Right of way encroachment identification
  • Substation siting studies
  • Reliability and risk mapping
  • Proximity and hazard zone modeling (flooding, wildfire, wind, etc.)
• Develop digital models integrating GIS, LiDAR, survey, CAD, and PLS CADD to support engineering and construction decision making.

Integration & Enterprise Systems

• Lead integration of GIS with SAP, ADMS/OMS, outage management tools, SCADA mapping, and transmission engineering platforms.
• Oversee data synchronization between GIS, engineering design tools, real estate systems, environmental databases, and regulatory reporting systems.

Project & Cross Functional Support

• Provide senior level GIS leadership for transmission and substation projects, including drawing development, alignment selection, permitting packages, and as built updates.
• Support real estate, permitting, and environmental teams with GIS deliverables for state and federal filings, including PSC Article VII, SEQRA, USACE, USFWS, FEMA, SHPO, and local agencies.

Mentorship & External Representation

• Mentor GIS engineers, analysts, and technologists, building organizational capability and ensuring consistent application of best practices.
• Represent Avangrid in technical committees, industry groups, regulatory audits, and data governance working groups.
• Interface with regulators, municipalities, contractors, survey firms, and other utilities on spatial data issues and engineering studies.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geomatics, Engineering, or a related technical discipline is required with 10+ years of progressive GIS engineering experience in the electric utility or transmission infrastructure sector.
• Demonstrated expertise with ESRI ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, geodatabases, LiDAR processing, spatial analytics, and GPS survey integration.
• Deep understanding of utility transmission and substation asset environments, ROW management, permitting processes, and environmental/regulatory workflows.
• Experience integrating GIS with engineering tools (PLS CADD, AutoCAD, MicroStation), enterprise systems (SAP), or operational systems (OMS/ADMS).
• Expert level technical understanding of geospatial modeling, coordinate systems, survey control, remote sensing, and utility mapping standards.
• Ability to design, troubleshoot, and optimize enterprise GIS architectures.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to influence decisions across departments and leadership levels.
• Proven ability to manage complex data systems, mitigate data quality risk, and provide authoritative technical direction.
• Experience working with environmental, real estate, permitting, and engineering stakeholders on multi-disciplinary capital projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree strongly preferred
• Professional certifications such as GISP preferred.

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