Substation Engineer

The Big Picture

As a Senior Protection & Control Engineer, you will lead the detailed design and engineering of protection systems for transmission and sub-transmission substations supporting renewable integration, grid modernization, and utility expansion projects across North America. This role requires deep expertise in US utility protection philosophies, relay coordination, and compliance standards. You will translate interconnection requirements and system studies into robust, reliable, and utility-compliant protection & control designs aligned with North American grid codes and reliability frameworks.

What you can expect as a Senior Protection & Control Expert:

• Youll lead protection & control design for transmission and distribution substations (69 kV500 kV)
• Youll develop protection philosophies aligned with US utility standards
• Youll prepare and review Single Line Diagrams (SLDs), three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, and wiring diagrams
• Youll design relay protection schemes including line, transformer, busbar, breaker failure, and feeder protection
• Youll perform relay coordination studies and protection settings calculations
• Youll develop logic diagrams, interlocking schemes, and trip matrix documentation
• Youll prepare protection panel layouts and cable schedules
• Youll perform short-circuit and coordination studies using industry-standard tools
• Youll validate CT/PT sizing and burden calculations
• Youll ensure compliance with ANSI/IEEE and NERC reliability standards
• Youll support interconnection projects aligned with ISO/RTO requirements such as PJM, MISO, CAISO, and ERCOT
• Youll review vendor relay configurations and protection settings
• Youll support FAT, SAT, relay testing procedures, and commissioning documentation
• Youll interface directly with US utilities and respond to technical review comments

Essential Qualifications include:

• 7-14 years of experience in Substation Design with exposure to US utility projects
• Strong foundation in:
• ANSI/IEEE standards (C37 series, IEEE 242, IEEE 399, etc.)
• Substation physical design & electrical clearances
• Protection principles for transmission & sub-transmission systems
• Relay coordination & fault analysis
• T/PT selection and burden calculations
• Experience designing substations in the 69 kV500 kV range
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: AutoCAD / MicroStation, ETAP / SKM / ASPEN for short circuit validation
• Strong knowledge of US utility protection manuals and compliance practices
• Experience preparing calculation packages and protection setting files
• Strong technical documentation aligned with US client expectations

Great to have:

• Experience in renewable interconnection substations (Solar / Wind / BESS)
• Exposure to digital substations
• Experience with relay settings coordination
• Familiarity with SCADA, RTU, and communication architecture for US utilities
• Experience supporting NERC PRC Standards
• Experience supporting FERC-regulated projects
• Prior client-facing consulting experience with North American utilities