Lead Substation Protection & Control Engineer

GAI Consultants Inc.; Lisle (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

401k match

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid work locations

Job summary

GAI Consultants Inc. seeks a Lead Substation Protection & Control Engineer to oversee design, development, and implementation of protection and control systems for high-voltage substations. Hybrid work option available in Lisle, IL, and other locations; travel to client sites as needed.

Role requires PE licensure, 6+ years in protection and control engineering, and strong leadership in project delivery and QA/QC processes.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Engineering is required.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is required.
• 6+ years of experience in protection and control engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and review of protection and control systems for high voltage substations.
• Develop protection schemes and diagrams (one-line, three-line, control schematics, wiring diagrams).
• Interface protection drawings with substation layouts.
• Develop relay/panel layouts and BOMs.
• Design of auxiliary systems (AC/DC load centers, batteries, chargers).
• Size conduit, cable, and backup generators.
• Travel to offices/substations for site visits and client meetings.
• Review junior engineers' designs for client standards.
• Document QA/QC reviews and communicate results to team.
• Lead tasks on multiple projects following PM standards.

Skills

Protection & control design

Technical leadership

Engineering review

Client interaction

Project management

Education

B.S. or M.S. Engineering

Job description

GAI is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Substation Protection & Control Engineer to oversee the design, development, and implementation of protection and control systems for high-voltage substations. This role will serve as a technical leader within the engineering team, ensuring that all protection and control designs meet regulatory standards, project requirements, and industry best practices. We value work‑life balance and offer flexibility - this position can be performed in a hybrid capacity in these locations: Overland Park, KS, Pittsburgh, PA, Lisle, IL, Orlando, FL, or in a fully remote capacity.

Job Duties

• Lead the engineering design and review of protection and control systems for transmission and distribution substations (typically 69kV to 500kV).
• Develop and approve protection schemes including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, control schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Integrate protection and control drawings to interface with the physical layout and design of substations.
• Development of control and relay panel layouts including assembling the specifications.
• Development of design specifications including the overall bill of materials.
• Design and sizing of auxiliary systems including AC/DC load centers as well as batteries and chargers.
• Design and sizing of conduit, cable, and backup generators.
• Traveling to other offices and meeting with clients and attending project-specific meetings.
• Traveling to substations for scoping site visits
• Review junior engineer's designs, verify they meet client standards and specifications, and identify gaps in client's protection.
• Document QA/QC reviews, maintain record documents, and communicate information to the team.
• Leading tasks on multiple projects in accordance with GAI's high standards of project management.

General Characteristics

• Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific practice area.
• Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
• Leads tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes.
• Develops plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Selects appropriate principles of engineering economics, and probability and statistics to analyze risk in a complex engineering problem.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 6+ Years of Experience

Education

• B.S. or M.S. Engineering

Certification/Licensure

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License

Technical Responsibilities

• Designs a complete project, system, component, or process.
• Prepares complete plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Designs and conducts analyses and interprets test data.
• Begins to develop and reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.

Project and Task Management

• Assigns tasks to other technical and non-technical staff.
• Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the engineering work.
• Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments.
• Assists with proposals to provide professional services or obtain funding for engineering projects or projects.

Management Responsibility

• Receives general direction on key objectives. Receives guidance on unconventional/complex problems, direction on modified techniques, and new approaches on assignments with conflicting criteria.
• Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products.
• Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

Communication Skills

• Communicates effectively to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Why GAI?

At GAI, exceptional people have an exceptional place to work, grow, lead, and achieve. Explore an array of opportunities in locations across the U.S. and join accomplished colleagues in tackling challenging projects for a range of markets. Enjoy comprehensive benefits and feel good about being part of a collaborative team that's committed to supporting the communities we serve. Join GAI and distinguish yourself in a company poised for unlimited growth.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:

• Competitive salary - GAI is committed to paying market-based salaries
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, company paid Long Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability (benefits start within 30 days of hire)
• New paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption program
• Generous Paid Time Off and 7 paid holidays
• 401k company match
• Tuition Reimbursement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.