Protection and Control Substation Engineer

Primary; Saskatoon, Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Primary is seeking a Protection and Control Engineer to help design high-voltage substations and advanced protection systems for a cleaner, smarter energy future. You will lead technical design, deliverables, and cross-functional collaboration with engineers, designers, and vendors.

Based near Saskatoon or Winnipeg, the role offers potential remote work for the right candidate and requires strong English communication and a track record in protection and control for utility projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• Registered or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer in Canada.
• Minimum 6-8 years of relevant experience in electrical utility, power systems, protection and control, or substation engineering.
• Experience in protection and control design for electric substations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to autonomously manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Strong English language skills (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and engineering of high-voltage utility and private substations, serving as the primary technical resource for protection, control, automation, and associated systems.
• Prepare and oversee engineering deliverables, including protection and control schematics, single-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, control logic, protection settings, equipment specifications, calculations, and related design documentation.
• Design and develop protection and control systems for substations, including protective relaying, instrument transformers, station service systems, breaker and switchgear controls, metering, annunciation, and automation systems.
• Perform and oversee engineering studies and calculations related to protection and control, including short-circuit analysis, protection coordination, CT/VT application, relay settings, load calculations, and control circuit design.
• Develop innovative engineering solutions through system modelling, analysis, and problem-solving.
• Manage the technical execution of projects, ensuring quality, budget, schedule, and regulatory compliance requirements are met.
• Mentor and direct engineers, designers, and drafters to achieve project objectives and maintain technical excellence.
• Prepare project estimates, material take-offs, procurement documentation, and technical specifications.
• Build and maintain client relationships, coordinate with stakeholders, and provide technical leadership during vendor and contractor engagements.
• Support site visits, inspections, construction activities, testing, and commissioning to ensure safe and accurate implementation of designs.
• Maintain project documentation and contribute to a collaborative, safety-focused, and high-performing engineering team.

Skills

Protection and control design

Substation engineering

Project management

Mentoring

Client relationship building

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer in Canada (registered or eligible)

Job description

Are you ready to electrify your career and help shape the grid of tomorrow?

At Primarywe aren’t just keeping the lights on, we are engineering the high-voltage backbone of a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future. As a Protection and Control Engineer, you will be at the forefront of powering communities, integrating cutting-edge renewable technologies, and driving the transition toward a sustainable energy landscape.

If you are a forward-thinking engineer who thrives on technical challenges, dives in and solves complex real world power challenges, loves working alongside cross-functional teams, and wants to see your designs come to life on a massive scale, your next big adventure starts here.

We are looking to grow our Substation teams across the organization with immediate needs in Saskatoon and Winnipeg. The ideal candidate is located near one of our locations; however, we can offer remote work options for the right candidate.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and engineering of high-voltage utility and private substations, serving as the primary technical resource for protection, control, automation, and associated systems.
• Prepare and oversee engineering deliverables, including protection and control schematics, single-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, control logic, protection settings, equipment specifications, calculations, and related design documentation.
• Design and develop protection and control systems for substations, including protective relaying, instrument transformers, station service systems, breaker and switchgear controls, metering, annunciation, and automation systems.
• Perform and oversee engineering studies and calculations related to protection and control, including short-circuit analysis, protection coordination, CT/VT application, relay settings, load calculations, and control circuit design.
• Develop innovative engineering solutions through system modelling, analysis, and problem-solving.
• Manage the technical execution of projects, ensuring quality, budget, schedule, and regulatory compliance requirements are met.
• Mentor and direct engineers, designers, and drafters to achieve project objectives and maintain technical excellence.
• Prepare project estimates, material take-offs, procurement documentation, and technical specifications.
• Build and maintain client relationships, coordinate with stakeholders, and provide technical leadership during vendor and contractor engagements.
• Support site visits, inspections, construction activities, testing, and commissioning to ensure safe and accurate implementation of designs.
• Maintain project documentation and contribute to a collaborative, safety-focused, and high-performing engineering team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• Registered or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer in Canada.
• Minimum 6-8 years of relevant experience in electrical utility, power systems, protection and control, or substation engineering.
• Experience in protection and control design for electric substations.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to autonomously manage workload to control multiple tasks with a high degree of accuracy, while meeting project deadlines.
• Strong English language skills (verbal and written), with the ability to develop strong business relationships and represent Primary in a professional manner.

Additional Assets:

• Be a self-starter and able to plan ahead and solve engineering problems.
• Good aptitude for business development, establishing new client contacts and developing collaborative relationships.
• Is a team player and supports professional development and knowledge sharing and supporting other team members including junior engineers/EITs, designers, and drafters.