Engineer - Protection Analyst

Cleco; New Iberia (LA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleco in Louisiana is hiring an Engineer II – Protection Analyst to provide technical support in fault modeling and protection system evaluation. The role seeks continuous improvement and supports transmission operations.

You will develop and maintain short circuit models, conduct fault studies, analyze disturbance records, and prepare compliance and performance reports while supporting restoration after outages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET accredited curriculum or FE eligibility.
• 3–5+ years of related experience.
• Strong business acumen pertaining to the Utility industry.
• Strong knowledge of leading practices for protection systems.
• Strong planning and project management skills.
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies on the job.
• Proficient at functioning effectively within a team environment, present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner.

Responsibilities

• Champions a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Acts as the subject matter expert during regulatory audits in generation and transmission elements, devices, and protection systems.
• Administer the disturbance reporting systems of the transmission network. This includes configuring and maintaining existing systems, evaluating the coverage and recommending the installation or removal of systems as needs change. Design, procure, and direct the fielding of systems and configuration changes.
• Develop and maintain the transmission short circuit model. Conduct fault studies and provide study results to current and potential Cleco customers, other utilities, and internal departments.
• Acquire and analyze disturbance records to identify the fault location, aid in service restoration, and to verify proper transmission and generation equipment application and operation. Maintain operational records and report system performance metrics. Maintain lightning detection systems and data. Integrate lightning system data into disturbance analysis processes and notify field personnel of suspected lightning equipment strikes.
• Develop compliance reports in the arena of fault detection and analysis. Work closely with the compliance monitoring department to ensure compliance in all responsible areas.
• Perform protection fault studies in support of protection setting development.
• Verifies the coordinated operation of existing and proposed protection system settings.
• Monitors budget adherence and provides variance explanation.
• Assists with the restoration of the transmission system after catastrophic events by facilitating communication, retrieving event records, and maintaining situational awareness.
• Proactively reports needed information to the manager.
• Designs monitoring systems as needed to meet departmental objectives.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Protection systems knowledge

Fault modeling

Project management

Team collaboration

Regulatory audits experience

Communication skills

Learning mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET-accredited program

NCEES Certification to sit for the FE

Job description

At Cleco, we're not just powering lives—we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana. With bold investments in innovative energy solutions, we’re transforming how we power our communities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable. This is a long-term commitment to our people and our communities because our future—and the future of generations to come—depends on it. If you're ready to make an impact where it matters most, join us at Cleco—where we're Energizing Your Tomorrow.

Engineer II – Protection Analyst

The engineer provides technical support to other personnel in the area of fault modeling and protection system evaluation. The engineer seeks continuous improvement to optimize every aspect of the assigned responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Champions a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Acts as the subject matter expert during regulatory audits in generation and transmission elements, devices, and protection systems.
• Administer the disturbance reporting systems of the transmission network. This includes configuring and maintaining existing systems, evaluating the coverage and recommending the installation or removal of systems as needs change. Design, procure, and direct the fielding of systems and configuration changes.
• Develop and maintain the transmission short circuit model. Conduct fault studies and provide study results to current and potential Cleco customers, other utilities, and internal departments.
• Acquire and analyze disturbance records to identify the fault location, aid in service restoration, and to verify proper transmission and generation equipment application and operation. Maintain operational records and report system performance metrics. Maintain lightning detection systems and data. Integrate lightning system data into disturbance analysis processes and notify field personnel of suspected lightning equipment strikes.
• Develop compliance reports in the arena of fault detection and analysis. Work closely with the compliance monitoring department to ensure compliance in all responsible areas.
• Perform protection fault studies in support of protection setting development.
• Verifies the coordinated operation of existing and proposed protection system settings.
• Monitors budget adherence and provides variance explanation.
• Assists with the restoration of the transmission system after catastrophic events by facilitating communication, retrieving event records, and maintaining situational awareness.
• Proactively reports needed information to the manager.
• Designs monitoring systems as needed to meet departmental objectives.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited curriculum or with NCEES Certification to sit for the FE
• 3-5+ years of related experience
• Step progression levels based on skill proficiency and scope of job.
• Strong business acumen pertaining to the Utility industry
• Strong knowledge of leading practices for protection systems
• Strong planning and project management skills
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies on the job
• Proficient at functioning effectively within a team environment, present ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
• Progression to this level is strictly restricted based on critical individual capabilities and business requirements; must be supported by market survey data

Licenses and Certifications

• FE Certification preferred

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

• Building Organizational Talent*
• Building Partnerships
• Leading Teams
• Business Acumen
• Communication
• Courage
• Building Self-Insight
• Building Talent*
• Driving for Results
• Energizing the Organization
• Driving Execution
• Building Trusting Relationships
• Driving Innovation
• Planning and Organizing
• Safety
• Establishing Strategic Direction

TECHNICAL

• Analytical skills
• Compliance
• Equipment utilization
• Transmission operations
• Transmission operations quality
• Transmission operations resource management
• Transmission operations risk management

May Perform Other Duties As Assigned.

Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.