Principal Substation / P&C Engineer

AES Corporation; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AES Corporation is seeking a Substation/Protection & Control Engineer to support substation design, protection, and commissioning for gas projects. The role requires a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and 10+ years in substation or related fields, with strong knowledge of SCADA and protective relaying.

Candidates will coordinate cross-functional teams, review design outputs, and support procurement and field activities. Travel to TX sites and partner facilities is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field plus 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of protective relaying, SCADA, metering, and substation commissioning.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and manage complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and support engineering for substation physical design and protection and control.
• Review design criteria, data sheets, and technical reports for compliance with project requirements.
• Provide field engineering support and ensure conformance with approved documents and safety standards.
• Support procurement through technical bid evaluations and vendor document reviews.
• Travel to project sites and partner locations as required.

Skills

Substation design

Protection & control

SCADA

Power systems studies

Team coordination

Communication

Education

Electrical engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project systems

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.AES US Renewables & Power is seeking a Substation / P&C Engineer to support substations, switchyards, generator interconnections, protection and control systems, and high-voltage commissioning for gas generation projects. The successful candidate will work across a matrixed organization and with external partners to deliver safe, reliable, on-schedule, cost-effective gas projects while maintaining clear accountability for the requirements implied by the role.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop, review, and support engineering for substation physical design, protection and control, metering, SCADA, grounding, auxiliary systems, relay settings, testing, commissioning, energization, and turnover.Prepare and review design criteria, calculations, drawings, specifications, data sheets, technical reports, NERC compliance, cost estimates, schedules, and scopes of work.Coordinate interfaces with civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, controls, permitting, NERC compliance environmental, operations, construction, and commissioning disciplines.Review EPC, consultant, OEM, and vendor work products for compliance with project requirements, codes, standards, contracts, and expected deliverables.Perform technical studies, equipment selection, design optimization, constructability, and value-engineering evaluations.Support procurement through technical bid evaluations, vendor-document review, inspections, factory testing, and issue resolution.Provide field engineering support and review installation for conformance with approved documents, quality requirements, and safe work practices.Investigate design, fabrication, construction, software, and commissioning issues and develop practical technical resolutions.Support project schedule, budget, risk, interface, and management-of-change activities.Support mechanical completion, testing, energization, commissioning, startup, performance verification, and turnover.Maintain technical baselines, redlines, approved changes, test records, and as-built documentation.Prepare training and operating information and transfer knowledge to project and plant personnel.Capture lessons learned and improve standards, templates, and reference designs.Travel to engineering offices, vendor facilities, and project sites (TX) as required.Skills and QualificationsBachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.10 or more years of substation, switchyard, transmission, high-voltage construction, or protection and control engineering experience.Knowledge of protective relaying, SCADA, metering, power-system studies, and substation commissioning.Familiarity with ERCOT generator and large load interconnection requirements.Familiarity with Substation equipment specifically including Live Tank Circuit Breakers and Current Limiting reactors.Familiarity integrating multiple generation technologies including BESS, CCGT, RICE and Fuel Cell.Familiarity with microgrid design and operation.Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and resolve complex technical, commercial, or execution issues.Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and stakeholder-management skills.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and relevant role-specific project systems.Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.Professional licensure or certification applicable to the discipline is preferred.Ability to travel to project, supplier, partner, or operating locations as required.AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.