Lead Protection & Control Engineer

Substation Engineering Company; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Substation Engineering Company (SECo) is seeking a senior electrical engineer to lead design activities for high voltage substations (15kV–765kV). The role emphasizes protection and control engineering, relaying diagrams, and SCADA integration.

You will perform short-circuit, grounding, and lightning protection analyses, prepare material specifications, and monitor budgets and schedules. Strong English communication and PE licensure are required; 7+ years of experience preferred.

Qualifications

• BSEE or MSEE.
• 7+ years of experience in protection and control engineering.
• Professional Engineering license.
• Ability to develop broader knowledge through structured tasks.
• Lead roles in projects and strong written/verbal English.
• Customer-focused and team-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Provides estimating, engineering, and design analysis for new and retrofit switchyard and substation projects up to 765kV.
• Designs and modifies relaying one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, protection and control schematics, relay panels, DC and AC auxiliary systems, and SCADA systems.
• Performs short-circuit grounding and lightning protection analysis.
• Prepares material specifications.
• Monitors budget and schedule for assigned tasks.
• Works in a team environment, coordinating requirements with other engineering and design disciplines.
• Provides technical direction to subordinate team members.
• Holds responsibility for the quality assurance of the documents to the applicable company and client standards.

Skills

Protection & control engineering

Substation design

Team communication

Education

BSEE or MSEE

Job description

Substation Engineering Company (SECo) is a full-service engineering and design firm delivering high-quality solutions to electric utilities nationwide. Our expertise spans substation, switchyard, transmission, and distribution projects, enhanced by advanced laser scanning and 3D modeling capabilities. We integrate strong engineering fundamentals with efficient, forward-thinking processes to deliver safe, reliable, and constructible solutions for critical infrastructure.

In partnership with Tier 1 Utility Design, Inc. (Tier 1), a certified woman-owned engineering firm, we cultivate a collaborative, engineering-driven environment where ideas are shared openly, challenges are addressed proactively, and technical excellence is the standard. Our team is committed to ownership, continuous improvement, and a supportive culture that values both professional growth and work–life balance.

Job Description:

Senior-level electrical engineering position focusing on the performance of both routine and complex activities and tasks related to the design of high voltage substations (15kV to 765kV).

Typical duties include (but are not limited to):

• Provides estimating, engineering, and design analysis for new and retrofit switchyard and substation projects up to 765kV.
• Designs and modifies relaying one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, protection and control schematics, relay panels, DC and AC auxiliary systems, and SCADA systems.
• Performs short-circuit grounding and lightning protection analysis.
• Prepares material specifications.
• Monitors budget and schedule for assigned tasks.
• Works in a team environment, coordinating requirements with other engineering and design disciplines.
• Provides technical direction to subordinate team members.
• Holds responsibility for the quality assurance of the documents to the applicable company and client standards.

Desired Education, Experience, and Training:

• BSEE or MSEE.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in protection and control engineering with a thorough knowledge of applicable theories, practices and accepted procedures.
• Professional Engineering license.
• Ability to quickly develop broader knowledge through performing structured functional assignments, such as collecting and analyzing data related to specific tasks.
• Independently works through individual projects and/or takes the lead role in broader projects.
• Computer proficiency required as well as strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail as well as ability to meet deadlines and complete assignments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Commitment to customer service and ability to work in a team-oriented environment.