Senior Protection & Controls Engineer

PROENERGY; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading power industry solutions provider in Chicago seeks a Lead Protection & Controls Engineer to lead technical work for substations, ensuring quality and overseeing projects. Candidates should have a degree in electrical engineering and at least six years of relevant experience. Excellent communication and technical skills are essential, as well as the ability to adapt within a team-oriented environment. Remote work is possible initially with an eventual return to the office.

Qualifications

• Six years of experience in substations, switchyards, fossil fuels, or power generation.
• Knowledgeable of ANSI, IEEE, API, NEC, NESC codes.
• Ability to create grounding, area class, and power drawings.

Responsibilities

• Manage project scope, budget, and schedule for electrical discipline.
• Provide engineering oversight for Substation team.
• Execute electrical technical design on projects.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to perform engineering calculations

Technical proficiency in relay coordination

Comfortable with change and ambiguity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Aconex Document Controls software

Job description

Position Summary

At PROENERGY, we emphasize a ONE-TEAM approach where our Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Start-Up, Document Controls, and Operations teams work seamlessly for our clients as a solutions provider for the power industry. We seek a Lead Protection & Controls Engineer that has a passion for ownership and pride in the quality of our deliverables. The Lead Protection & Controls Engineer will execute and lead technical work on our EPC projects for the substation group. They will ultimately own quality for their specific discipline. This role will ultimately report to our Principal Substation Engineer as we continue to build our in-house EPC engineering team. You will need to work collaboratively with our integrated EPC team along with our clients to execute and provide world-class, quality focused deliverables for our construction team. Your ability to adapt and be flexible will be invaluable as you coordinate multiple jobs, develop guidelines and procedures, and provide engineering oversight to our subsidiaries and 3 rd party engineers.

As we lead the transition from reliance on third party engineers to building and managing a fully functional in-house engineering team your expertise and technical knowledge will greatly impact the business planning to add engineering quality standards and developing our own deliverables. This position would start remote then be fully in the office when our Leawood, KS office is open in Q2 2025 as we build our culture in person.

Position Responsibilities

• Client facing and will manage to the scope, budget, and schedule for the electrical discipline on projects you are assigned to, inclusive of executing change management.
• Initially provide third party engineering oversight and engineering management for Substation team responsible for the development and/or system integration of electrical designs as we build our internal team
• Executes the electrical technical design on our projects and may also be the engineer of record
• Perform or review routine and complex engineering, design, analysis, and other technical tasks within the electrical discipline utilizing current technology, available standards, calculation software, templates, and cataloged products.
• Prepare/review load lists, power system studies, substation layouts, single lines, equipment layouts, area classifications, sizing calculations, schematics, equipment specifications, data sheets, requisitions, and technical bid analysis.
• Work collaboratively with our integrated EPC team along with our clients to execute RFIs, deliverable reviews, change order requests, engineering equipment buyout, etc
• Regularly performs reviews of vendor documents to ensure specifications and data sheet requirements are met.
• Foster high performing teams and behavior to execute projects.
• Ability to mentor and develop team members including technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Seek ways to improve customer satisfaction, the quality of the work product, and operating efficiencies.
• Help develop, review and implement guidelines and procedures to ensure engineering standardization and templating of our PowerFLX work.
• Stay up to date with the latest technology and industry practices and finds practical applications.
• Performs assigned work efficiently and effectively to maximize person productivity.
• Leads quality checks of the design and engineering of project to ensure accuracy.
• Establishes credibility in terms of technical competency and team leading ability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an accredited program
• Six (6) years of experience in related work experience in substations, switchyards, fossil fuels, power or generation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• The position requires the ability to effectively multi-task and manage numerous projects/tasks simultaneously, frequently within an aggressive and compressed schedule.
• Independently applies knowledge and ensures compliance with quality program. Establishes related processes and promotes a culture that is conducive to quality. Provides guidance and direction to others. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
• Previous experience creating grounding, area class, power, single line, schematic and motor control drawings with a clear understanding of protective devices and coordination techniques
• Knowledgeable of the ANSI, IEEE, API, NEC, NESC and other industry codes, specifications, and standards
• Able to perform engineering calculations, e.g., load flow, short circuit, arc flash, harmonics, equipment sizing, large motor starting, grounding, transient stability, electromagnetic transients, insulation coordination, etc.
• Familiar with and able to specify high, medium, and low voltage electrical equipment (Breakers, Transformers, switchgear, etc.)
• Strong Technical proficiency in relay coordination and Arc Flash analysis, with a demonstrated ability to program protective relays effectively
• Comfortable with change and ambiguity; adaptable, collaborative and a systems thinker
• Proactively provides guidance and direction on department design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes
• Actively manages project changes directly with the Client with supervision from the Project Engineering Manager
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• US work authorization is a precondition of employment. The company will not consider candidates who require sponsorship for a work-authorized visa.
• Successful candidate will need to satisfactorily complete pre-employment drug screen and background check

Desired Qualifications

• Registered Professional Engineer in electrical discipline (Power Electrical, or I&C)
• Actively involved in industry recognized professional societies
• Possesses a strong foundation in power system principles and concepts as evidenced by completion of relevant college coursework
• Aconex Document Controls software knowledge
• Clear understanding of construction and constructability practices & principles
• Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration
• Working knowledge of process, procedures for project controls and estimating
• Working knowledge of technical aspects of the proposal and estimate process
• Basic business and financial acumen
• Owner or Client engineering background

It is PROENERGY’s policy to provide equal opportunity in employment to all its employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, national origin, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, military status, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law.