Lead Electrical Engineer 1 - Energy & Industrial Group

Sargent & Lundy; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 118,022 - 180,312; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Tuition Assistance

Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy in Houston, TX, is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to work on various projects including power plant systems and industrial facilities. You'll be part of a collaborative project team, investigating electrical engineering challenges, preparing designs and specifications, and mentoring junior engineers. The position operates on a hybrid work schedule with in-office presence required 3 days per week.

Preferred candidates will have a BS in Electrical Engineering with a focus on power systems, a PE license, and substantial experience in power plant design.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in power plant or industrial design.
• Experience in equipment selection and specifications.
• Knowledge of electrical power distribution equipment.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and solve electrical engineering issues.
• Prepare power distribution designs and specifications.
• Mentor less experienced engineers.

Skills

Electrical system design

Power distribution design

Troubleshooting electrical systems

Project management

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program

PE license or ability to earn

Tools

ETAP

SKM

Job description

This position will give you the opportunity to utilize and expand your background in Electrical Engineering on projects that range from existing power plant retrofit projects, new generation installations, renewable energy projects, new and existing oil and gas facilities, and other industrial facilities.

You will work in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing power plant and industrial plant electrical systems.

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week in Houston, TX.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, troubleshoot, and solve a wide variety of electrical engineering issues as a Lead Electrical Engineer.
• Be involved in power distribution designs and the preparation of specifications for the procurement of major electrical power equipment and related installation services needed to support the projects.
• Assist the project manager in ensuring projects are completed satisfactorily, on time, and within budget.
• Coordinate systems design activities to ensure installation and operations comply with specifications, codes, and client requirements.
• Prepare and review functional design drawings, including single line, relay and metering, cable block, and schematic diagrams. Prepare documentation for design input for drawing production and 3‑D modeling.
• Prepare and review detailed calculations, including auxiliary power system studies, voltage drop, protective relay settings, and arc flash calculations.
• Interface with vendors to prepare bills of material and equipment purchase specifications and provide recommendations to the client.
• Prepare reports and studies that present technical information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and S&L formats.
• Perform independent reviews of work performed by others, including calculations and drawings.
• Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
• Develop your career via peer‑learning by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
• Travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

Qualifications

• A BS in Electrical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program is required; an emphasis in power systems is preferred.
• PE license or ability to earn a PE license is required.
• 10 or more years of experience in power plant or industrial plant design, focusing on integrated, detailed system design for new facilities or modifications or replacements for existing facilities.
• Experience in the selection of equipment, materials, control philosophy, and the preparation and assembling of calculations and specifications.
• Experience with electrical system design including medium and low voltage distribution systems (transformers, generators, motors), communication systems, equipment selection, and analytical calculations.
• Experience performing calculations in ETAP and/or SKM.
• Technically knowledgeable of electrical power distribution equipment.
• Experience serving as firm/client liaison in a lead engineering role.
• Experience reviewing other engineers’ design calculations and drawings.

Valued But Not Required Skills and Experience

• A Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Technical knowledge and experience with instrumentation and controls engineering.
• Project management and business development experience.
• Construction and start‑up experience is a plus.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

• You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost‑effective designs.
• Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process‑improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guide when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
• Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI‑enabled engineering workflows.

Benefits

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back‑Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA
• 401(k)
• Pre‑Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$118,022.90 - $180,312.77

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations, and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.