Engineer III or Senior Engineer: Distributed Energy Resource Protection and Control Standards - Distribution (PGO DPAC ES)

Duke Energy; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking an SME for System Protection, Control, Integration, and Automation to develop standards for DER integration and grid reliability. This role supports safe integrating energy storage, EVs, and stability concepts while contributing to relay standards and automation device configurations.

The position involves collaborative work with the DPAC ES team, field testing, and mentorship of engineers to advance protective relaying and control practices across DE-owned sites.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree required.
• Minimum 4 years of engineering experience ( Senior Engineer: 6 years or 5 years with PE).
• Master’s degree can substitute for BS in engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or state registration preferred/required.

Responsibilities

• Develop standards, guides, and position statements for system protection and control of DER integration.
• Develop protection & control standard settings, logic, and control templates.
• Support development of control and automation standards for related equipment.
• Provide SME input into training and documentation artifacts.
• Conduct hands-on testing in relay lab, field lab, factory, and field acceptance testing.
• Collaborate with DPAC ES team and internal stakeholders (Equipment/Construction Standards, DCC, Asset Management).
• Mentor and lead peers among engineers.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Leadership

Mentorship

Education

BS in Engineering (ABET accredited)

PE license / state registration (preferred)

Tools

SEL protection & automation equipment

OMICRON test equipment

IEC 61850 protocol

DNP3 SCADA concepts

Relay design templates

Job description

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Position Summary

This incumbent will act as the System Protection, Control, Integration, and Automation Subject Matter Expert (SME) responsible for the development of protection and control standards for distributed energy resources (DER) within the PGO DPAC Enterprise Standards team.

This position directly supports the development of standards for PGO Distribution that allow the safe integration of energy storage, electrical vehicles, and support Area Electric Power System stability, including ride through, system stability and anti-islanding concepts. Position also supports the development and maintenance of relay standards, control devices, and automation device configuration & programs that directly support safe DER integration into the grid. Position may also support occasional field commissioning and planned island/microgrid site deployments.

Responsibilities

• Development of standards, application guides, and position statements related to system protection & control for DER Integration related to point of common coupling reclosers, grounding banks, switchgear, and generation step up transformation within DE owned Controlled DER sites.

• Development of protection & control standard settings, logic, and control templates

• Support the development of control and automation standards related to this equipment

• SME input into training and work method related documentation and training artifacts

• Hands on testing within relay lab, field lab, factory and field acceptance testing of new and existing concepts, working with switchgear, relays, and control components

• Collaboration with DPAC ES team members as well as internal customers and stakeholders including Equipment and Construction Standards, DPAC, DCC, and PGO Asset Management

• Mentorship and peer leadership with fellow engineers

Required/Basic Qualifications - Engineer III

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program

• 4 years of minimum required related experience

• A Master's degree in Engineering will be considered in lieu of the B.S. Engineering degree.

Required/Basic Qualifications - Senior Engineer

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program or state registration as a Professional Engineer.

• A Master's degree in engineering will be considered in lieu of the B. S. engineering degree.

• Minimum of 6 years of engineering experience or 5 years of engineering experience with state registration as a Professional Engineer.

Desired Qualifications

• System protection and coordination experience with medium voltage systems (4kV-36kV class)

• Familiarity with IEEE 1547-2018 and IEEE 2030 standards

• Familiarity/experience with IEC 61850 protocol including programming and testing advanced protection and automation systems with peer to peer communications

• Familiarity with SCADA communication and control concepts including DNP3

• Experience integrating and testing protection and control systems.

• Familiarity/experience with SEL protection and automation controls/relays and software

• Familiarity/experience with OMICRON test equipment and software

• Experience developing/programming relay and control design templates, including development of system protection relay settings and logic

• Experience creating standards, standard settings templates, and application guides.

• Experience performing factory acceptance and field acceptance testing of systems

• Experience with Integration of power plant, distributed resources, or major industrial/commercial/government customer load facilities

• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills

• Proficient in engineering theories and principles

• Proficient in principles of project management

• Registered Professional Engineer (PE)

• Experience in the utility industry

Working Conditions

• Hybrid - Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to the designated Duke Energy facility.

Travel Requirements

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No Represented/Union Position

No Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.