Principal Engineer- Protection & Automation Strategy- Substation

Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. (APC); Tempe (AZ); Hybrid; USD 194,000 - 324,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. (APC) in Tempe, AZ is seeking a Principal Engineer- Protection & Automation Strategy to lead modernization of protection, automation, and control systems for a major utility client.

This hybrid role requires driving grid technology initiatives, virtualization, and integration of inverter-based resources. The position emphasizes senior technical leadership, with responsibilities to shape strategic direction and ensure cyber-secure implementations

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree or equivalent.
• 16+ years of power systems engineering experience.
• Deep expertise in substation protection & control systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Substation Virtualization initiatives and strategy roadmaps.
• Ensure standards and CIP/NERC O&P compliance including cybersecurity.

Skills

Substation virtualization

Protection & control systems

Leadership/strategy

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree or equivalent

16+ years of power systems engineering experience

Tools

ASPEN

ETAP

SKM

PSS/E

PSLF

IEC 61850

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Engineer- Protection & Automation Strategy- Substation

Type: Direct Hire

Relocation Assistance provided

Work Location: Hybrid position in Tempe, AZ (2 days in office)

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer- Protection & Automation Strategy to lead the strategic direction and modernization of protection, automation, and control systems for a major utility client. This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for shaping the future of grid technology including digital substations, virtualized PAC systems, and the integration of inverter-based resources. If you are passionate about substation virtualization, advanced protection systems, and leading high-impact engineering initiatives, we would like to connect.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Lead Substation Virtualization Initiatives:

• Define and execute PAC strategy roadmaps including substation virtualization, and integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs).

Standards & Compliance:

• Develop and maintain engineering standards and ensure compliance with NERC O&P and CIP requirements while supporting cybersecurity and vulnerability assessments.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent
• 16+ years of professional engineering experience in power systems
• Deep expertise in substation and protection & control systems

Big Bonus Points If You Have

• MBA or Master’s Degree in Engineering
• Professional Engineering (PE) license
• Substation design and protection & control engineering
• Protective relay coordination and settings analysis
• Power system analysis tools (ASPEN, ETAP, SKM, PSS/E, PSLF)
• IEC 61850 digital substation architecture
• SCADA, real-time grid control, and industrial networking
• NERC O&P and CIP compliance

Emerging Technology Experience

• Virtualization and edge computing
• Cloud-native architectures and containerization
• Software-defined networking
• Distributed energy resources (DER)
• Microgrids and grid flexibility solutions
• Energy storage and inverter-based resources

Job Requisition # 40141

A reasonable estimate of the Base Salary for this role is $193,500 - $324,000 per year. The disclosed pay range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case, such as skills and experience levels.