Lead Substation Engineer 2 - Grid

Sargent Lundy; Richland (WA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Flexible work arrangements

Employee discount program

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy seeks a Lead Substation Engineer to apply protective relaying and controls expertise for HV/EHV substations. You will lead design efforts, guide teams, and coordinate with clients and vendors on protection, metering, and relay configurations.

Role includes reviewing designs, developing relay philosophies, and traveling for reviews or field verification as needed. Hybrid schedule with in-office work 3 days/week in Richland, WA.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering required.
• 12+ years designing substations at 138kV+.
• PE license.
• Experience liaising with firm/clients in lead roles.
• Experience with relay calculations documentation.
• Proficient with SKM/ETAP/ASPEN/CDEGS or vendor software.
• Familiar with NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI standards.
• Experience with vendor relay equipment (SEL/ABB/GE/Areva/Basler).
• MS Office proficiency; strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead substation modification and upgrade projects with design specs.
• Prepare relaying philosophies including equipment selection and SCADA concepts.
• Guide engineers and designers in protection and controls engineering.
• Troubleshoot and resolve engineering issues.
• Design single line and AC/DC schematic diagrams.
• Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review.
• Review work for accuracy and timely delivery.
• Coordinate with engineers, project managers, clients and suppliers.
• Propose upgrades/replacements after facility reviews.
• Travel to client/vendor sites for reviews and field verification.

Skills

Protective relaying

Controls engineering

Relay calculations

Client liaison

Mentor/leadership

MS Office

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor of Science Engineering degree

Tools

SKM

ETAP

ASPEN

CDEGS

Job description

Responsibilities

WORK LOCATION: This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week at the Sargent & Lundy office in Richland, WA

This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of protective relaying and controls systems for HV and EHV substations. As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will:

• Work on a wide range of substation modifications and upgrades to support client requirements and reviews including creating calculations, document designs, and specifications.
• Prepare relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment, developing SCADA and telecommunication concepts and configurations, and overseeing the preparation of I/O assignments and connection diagrams.
• Guide junior and senior-level engineers and designers in protection and controls engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of the engineering work.
• Support challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of engineering issues.
• Perform analysis and design of single line diagrams, substation relaying & metering diagrams (i.e. A.C. schematic diagrams), and D.C. Schematic diagrams.
• Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review.
• Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
• Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
• Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
• Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
• Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
• There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• This position requires a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree.
• 12 or more years experience designing substations at 138kV and above.
• PE license.
• Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
• Experience in writing and providing support documentation for relay calculations.
• Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Proficiency with any of the following programs: SKM, ETAP, ASPEN, CDEGS, or vendor software.
• Familiarity with design codes and standards, such as NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI.
• Experience with various vendor protective relay equipment typically used in substation protection, including SEL, ABB, GE, Areva, and Basler.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree is preferrable.
• A degree from an ABET accredited engineering program.

• Prior experience is desirable to include in-line, bus and equipment protection, breaker, transformer and similar equipment control, RTU and data concentrator based SCADA systems, telemetering and communications (fiber optics, microwave, power line carrier, etc.).
• AutoCAD or MicroStation experience.
• Construction and start-up experience.
• Testing or commissioning experience.

Technology & Innovation

Sargent & Lundy values the appropriate use of technology to improve how work gets done and deliver high-quality outcomes for our clients. Depending on the role, employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to support research, analysis, engineering and design activities, workflow improvement, or other aspects of their work. We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.

About Sargent & Lundy

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• 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

$134,546 - $205,557

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.

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.