Electrical Engineer

Brooksource; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooksource’s Fortune 300 utility client is hiring an Associate Engineer to join their Electric Transmission System Protection Engineering Data Communications team, focusing on substation SCADA projects and secure automation systems in Richmond, VA.

The role is a 12-month contract-to-hire with a pay rate of $35–$40/hour. This position emphasizes hands-on engineering, SDN-based security, and collaboration across teams to enable large-scale solar and offshore wind projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering (ABET accredited) required.
• 0–2 years of related engineering experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Familiar with Excel for engineering calculations.
• Ability to interpret codes and regulations.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Read substation drawings to determine work and suggest alternatives.
• Create and update configuration files for substation equipment and SCADA protocols.
• Program substation HMI devices and develop graphics for monitoring.
• Use SDN to build secure IEC 61850 based substation automation systems.
• Test and troubleshoot communications and data quality for SCADA and Synchrophasor data.
• Use data historian applications to build graphs and reports.
• Track and manage projects in internal applications (Telescope/SAP).
• Keep SCADA and Synchrophasor documentation current to communicate changes.

Skills

Communication skills

Excel

Teamwork

Technical writing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering (ABET accredited)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

OneNote

Word

Access

Job description

Associate Engineer – Data Communications (T&D)

12-month Contract-to-hire

$35-$40/hr.

Applications will be accepted until at least October 29th, 2026.

Position Summary:

Brooksource’s Fortune 300 utility client is hiring an Associate Engineer to join their Electric Transmission System Protection Engineering Data Communications team, on the Transmission & Distribution side, to manage and complete substation SCADA projects and help build modern, secure substation automation systems.

This team is growing to support industry leading initiatives, including interconnecting 5,000 MW of solar generation over the next five years, the first utility owned offshore wind project in U.S. federal waters off the Atlantic coast, STATCOMs, IEC 61850, some of the largest data center load growth in the world, and Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050.

Key Responsibilities:

• Read substation one-line, functional, elementary, and wiring drawings to determine the work to be done, identify possible design issues, and suggest alternatives.
• Create and update configuration files for a wide range of substation communication equipment, Synchrophasor data devices, and software tools using industry standard SCADA protocols.
• Program substation HMI devices and develop HMI graphics for monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Use Software Defined Networking (SDN) to build secure IEC 61850 based substation automation systems.
• Test and troubleshoot communications and data quality issues for both SCADA and Synchrophasor data.
• Use internal data historian applications to build graphs and reports.
• Track and manage projects in internal applications (Telescope/SAP).
• Keep SCADA and Synchrophasor documentation current to communicate changes to other groups.
• Help develop and manage the Data Communications Training Program.
• Evaluate new communication devices and research new communication technologies and strategies.
• Implement the latest cyber security best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 0-2 years of relevant engineering experience in either an internship, co-op, academic project, coursework, or early-career experience related to electric utilities, power systems, engineering standards, substation physical design, transmission line design, material science, structural or foundation design, overhead lines, or underground cable systems preferred.
• Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering from an ABET accredited educational insitution.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering theories and principles.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including technical writing.
• Strong computer skills, with the ability to perform engineering calculations using applicable software such as Excel.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Word, and Access.
• Ability to interpret codes, regulations, and practices.
• Ability to move easily between programming languages and technology paradigms.
• Understanding of contemporary relational and time series database technologies.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to process information quickly and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong planning, organizational, and project management skills.
• Strong abstract thinking and problem solving skills.
• Comfortable communicating with engineers, customers, and executives alike.
• Strong self learner who quickly adopts new skills and knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of IT systems and networking fundamentals (e.g., TCP, UDP, IP, firewalls, routers, switches, fiber optics, Windows, Linux, Remote Desktop, Telnet, SSH, FTP).
• Knowledge of and experience with IEC 61850 (GOOSE, Sampled Values, MMS, PTP).
• Knowledge of system protection philosophies and applications.
• Experience in HMI development.
• Experience with SDN concepts.
• Experience with SSNET, ESNET, or Power Systems Center.
• Experience with SEL devices (SEL-3530, SEL-3332, SEL-3354, SEL-3355, SEL-3555).
• Electric utility industry experience.

What’s in it for you?

Brooksource, Medasource, and Calculated Hire are part of the Eight Eleven Group family of companies and operate under Eight Eleven Group, LLC. All employees receive the same benefits, policies, and terms of employment.

EEO Statement:

Brooksource is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Brooksource offers competitive medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care FSA, and supplemental coverage with plans that can fit each employee's needs. We offer a 401k plan that includes a company match and is fully vested after you become eligible, paid time off, sick time, and paid company holidays. We also offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides services like virtual counseling, financial services, legal services, life coaching, etc.

Pay Disclaimer:

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.