Principal Electrical Engineer

RigUp; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

RigUp, Inc. is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead electrical engineering delivery across oil, gas, and chemical projects.

Based in Billings, MT or Bismarck, ND, this role provides technical leadership, oversight, and supervision of engineers and designers, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective execution. You will guide technical direction, review critical deliverables, manage scopes and changes, coordinate with project management and client representatives, and mentor junior

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering from a recognized institution.
• 8 to 15+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience in oil, gas, and/or hazardous refinery environments.
• Experience in electrical power systems design, protection schemes, and physical installations in hazardous refinery settings.
• LV/MV electrical engineering expertise including distribution systems and power management configurations.
• Proficiency in power systems analysis software such as ETAP, PSCAD, and SPL.
• Strong written and verbal English communication with leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of electrical engineers and designers on oil, gas, and chemical projects from conception to completion.
• Direct engineering tasks to ensure on-time delivery, quality, and safety-in-design principles.
• Serve as Electrical Engineering Lead on designated projects and mentor other lead engineers.
• Collaborate with project management, interfacing disciplines, and client representatives to align scope and deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, internal, and client requirements within budgets and schedules.
• Manage workscopes, assign tasks, and monitor progress; support procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Lead change control processes; participate in project meetings and generate progress reports.
• Perform and review power system studies and protective device settings; manage interface requirements.

Skills

Power systems

LV/MV design

Protection schemes

Technical leadership

Team leadership

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

PSCAD

SPL

MS Office

Job description

The Client is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead electrical engineering delivery across a portfolio of oil, gas, and chemical projects. Operating out of the Billings, Montana or Bismarck, North Dakota office locations, this individual will provide advanced technical leadership, oversight, and direct supervision to a team of engineers and designers. The Principal Electrical Engineer will guide technical direction, review critical engineering deliverables, and drive performance to ensure high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective execution aligned with project objectives, rigorous safety standards, and client specifications.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise a team of electrical engineers and designers, directing all engineering workflows on oil, gas, and chemical projects from conception through completion.
• Plan, organize, and direct engineering tasks to ensure on-time delivery, adherence to quality standards, and integration of safety-in-design principles.
• Serve as the Electrical Engineering Lead on designated projects and provide leadership and guidance to other lead engineers across the program.
• Collaborate directly with project management, interfacing disciplines, and client representatives to ensure alignment on scope, progress, and deliverable quality.
• Deliver electrical engineering services compliant with statutory, regulatory, internal, and client-specific requirements within designated budgets and schedules.
• Initiate, manage, and supervise electrical engineering project requirements, including outlining workscopes, promoting workshare where appropriate, assigning tasks, and monitoring progress.
• Provide technical assistance and advisory support during procurement, construction, and commissioning phases, including preparing requisitions, writing purchase orders, and performing technical bid evaluations.
• Ensure scope clarity, manage change controls in compliance with project change management procedures, participate in project meetings, and generate structured progress reports.
• Perform and review power system studies, protective device settings, and interface management.
• Proactively resolve discrepancies between internal standards and customer requirements.
• Mentor and develop junior personnel within the discipline, fostering professional development and collaborative teamwork.
• Monitor industry advancements and technical innovations within the electrical engineering domain.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Electrical Engineering from a recognized institution.
• 8 to 15+ years of progressive electrical engineering experience within the oil and gas industry and/or hazardous refinery environments.
• Proven experience in electrical power systems, including system design, protection schemes, and physical installations within hazardous refinery settings.
• Low- to medium-voltage (LV/MV) electrical engineering expertise, encompassing distribution systems, equipment selection, protective relay selection, and power management system configurations.
• Proficiency in power systems analysis software, including ETAP, PSCAD, and SPL.
• Competence in utilizing standard business productivity applications, including MS Office Suite.
• Strong written, email, and verbal communication capabilities in English, supported by demonstrated problem-solving and team leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of specialized experience within the oil and gas sector.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in the United States.
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications in engineering, business management, project management, or equivalent supervisory certifications.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-disciplinary project coordination and team leadership.
• Position Type: Long-Term Contract (with potential for permanent conversion based on performance).
• Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite at either of the following facilities:
• Billings, MT 59102, USA
• Bismarck, ND 58503, USA
• Work Schedule: 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off).
• Work Authorization: Open to TN Visa candidates from Canada.