Lead Engineer – Protection & Controls

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop or assess protective relay settings and coordination studies for utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects.

• Conduct short-circuit analysis, fault current assessments, protective device coordination, arc flash evaluations, and grounding studies.

• Design protection schemes for generators, bus differentials, transformer differentials, feeder overcurrent, distance, breaker failure, and synchrocheck.

• Manage islanding detection, anti-islanding protection, and settings for voltage/frequency ride-through.

• Integrate protection systems with SCADA, EMS, and RTU infrastructures.

• Prepare and review one-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, and relay panel layouts.

• Evaluate third-party engineer-of-record design packages to ensure compliance with relevant standards.

• Assist in relay testing, commissioning, factory and site acceptance testing, energization planning, and initial energization processes.

• Support NERC PRC compliance activities, protection system audits, and utility coordination efforts.

• Mentor junior engineers and establish internal protection engineering standards and design practices.

• Analyze and comprehend electrical project scope during the initial project phases.

• Create proposals that enhance power quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

• Develop protection and controls scopes of work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

• Review modifications, provide recommendations, and act as a technical resource for Preconstruction and Operations teams.

• Examine contracts and subcontracts related to protection and controls scope, identifying opportunities for work optimization and waste reduction.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of progressive engineering experience in protection and controls design for high-voltage transmission, substations, or large-scale generation systems.

• Experience in developing relay settings and conducting coordination studies for systems from 13.8 kV to 345 kV.

• Proficient in ASPEN OneLiner, ETAP, CAPE, EasyPower, or SKM Power Tools.

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution required, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

• Knowledge of NERC PRC Reliability Standards, IEEE, NESC, NEC, and NFPA 70E.

• Working knowledge of IEC 61850, DNP3, and Modbus for relay and SCADA integration.

• Experience in leading and mentoring engineers, promoting protection and controls design standards across solar, wind, and energy storage projects.

• Familiarity with Python or scripting for engineering automation.

• Commitment to adhere to the National Society of Professional Engineers' code of conduct.

• Professional Engineering (PE) license is preferred but not mandatory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary.

• 100% employer-paid HDHP insurance premiums for employees.

• 401(k) plan with company match.

• Options for HSA and FSA.

• Dental and Vision insurance.

• Education Assistance (Tuition Reimbursement).

• Work/Life balance initiatives.

• Family-oriented employee culture.

• On-site gym facilities.