Protection & Controls Engineer

Group-CBS; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Group-CBS is seeking a Protection & Controls Project Lead to drive complex power engineering projects from kickoff to closeout. You will coordinate with customers, vendors, field teams, and internal groups to deliver accurate, high-quality outcomes.

Responsibilities include developing deliverables, field data collection, power system studies, SCADA configurations, and ensuring compliance. Travel up to 25% and field commissioning support are expected.

Qualifications

• Experience leading engineering projects with customer coordination and scope management.
• Ability to develop calculations, drawings, relay settings, SCADA configurations, and reports.
• Reads blueprints and electrical drawings including single-line and wiring diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from kickoff through closeout and manage scope, schedule, and budget.
• Serve as primary customer contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop RFIs, clarifications, design recommendations, and review packages.
• Travel to customer facilities to collect data and support field execution.
• Prepare engineering deliverables including BOMs, procedures, and technical reports.
• Coordinate activities with customers, vendors, field personnel, and internal teams.

Skills

Project management

Troubleshooting

Analytical

Communication

Organizational

Power systems

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Post-secondary technical education or equivalent experience

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

AutoCAD

MathCAD

Relay testing equipment

Job description

Monday through Friday, typically 8:00am to 5:00pm. Hours may vary based on customer needs and field work, including occasional weekends and holidays.

Travel

Up to 25%

Overview

This role leads Protection & Controls projects from kickoff through closeout, including system integration, relay upgrades, SCADA systems, engineering studies, NERC compliance activities, and related engineering services. You will serve as a primary technical resource and project lead, coordinating with customers, vendors, field personnel, and internal teams to deliver accurate, high-quality project outcomes.

What you will do

• Take ownership of assigned projects from kickoff through closeout.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review project scope, schedule, budget, and assumptions following project handoff and identify questions, concerns, and scope gaps.
• Develop RFIs, technical clarifications, design recommendations, and design review packages.
• Travel to customer facilities to collect field data, verify existing conditions, perform site investigations, and support project execution.
• Develop engineering deliverables including calculations, drawings, relay settings, logic diagrams, SCADA configurations, bills of material, technical procedures, reports, and other project documentation.
• Perform engineering evaluations, power system studies, troubleshooting, and technical analyses related to protection and control systems, system integration, and power system operation.
• Coordinate project activities with customers, vendors, field personnel, panel fabrication shops, and internal departments.
• Support procurement activities including purchase requisitions, vendor coordination, equipment tracking, and material procurement.
• Configure, test, troubleshoot, and commission protective relaying systems, communications systems, SCADA systems, and related equipment.
• Support field installation, testing, startup, and commissioning by providing technical guidance and resolving field issues.
• Develop project schedules and manage work activities to achieve milestones, budgets, and customer commitments.
• Identify project risks, technical challenges, and scope changes and communicate them promptly.
• Support invoicing by monitoring project progress, identifying billable milestones, and communicating project status.
• Support Application Engineers with project development, site visits, technical evaluations, and proposal development as needed.
• Support field service operations and maintain assigned vehicles, test equipment, and administrative tools as needed.

What success looks like

• Projects are executed successfully within agreed scope, schedule, and budget.
• Engineering deliverables are technically accurate, complete, and high quality.
• Customers receive responsive communication and strong technical support throughout the project.
• Project risks and challenges are identified early and resolved proactively.
• Assigned work is coordinated effectively across customers, vendors, field teams, and internal departments.

What we are looking for

• Experience executing engineering projects involving customer coordination, scheduling, procurement support, field support, and project closeout.
• Experience developing engineering deliverables such as calculations, drawings, relay settings, logic diagrams, SCADA configurations, reports, and technical documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, single-line drawings, three-line drawings, wiring diagrams, and related electrical drawings.
• 5+ years of system integration, protection and control, NERC compliance, power systems engineering, field service, or related experience preferred.
• Hands‑on experience installing, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting protective relaying schemes and communications systems preferred.
• Working knowledge of low-, medium-, and high-voltage power systems.
• Familiarity with electrical test equipment such as megger, hi‑pot, WRM, TTR, power factor test sets, high‑current breaker test sets, and relay test sets.
• Knowledge of LOTO, Job Hazard Analysis, NETA ATS/MTS, NEC, NFPA 70E, IEEE, and other applicable industry standards.
• Experience with protective relaying systems, SCADA systems, communications networks, RTUs, HMIs, and system integration applications preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, project‑management, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, customer commitments, and competing priorities.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, and MathCAD.
• Proficiency with SEL, GE, Siemens, ABB, and similar relays and communications equipment.

Education and experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Post‑secondary technical education or equivalent experience in electrical power systems, protection and control, system integration, field service, or a related discipline required.
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering preferred but not required.

Certifications

• NETA Level III or IV Certification or Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred.
• Industry certifications or training related to protection and control systems, system integration, SCADA, and relay systems are valued.
• Continued technical and professional development through education, training, certifications, and self-development is expected.

Physical requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• Occasional climbing of ladders, scaffolding, and use of man‑lifts.
• Occasional lifting up to 75 pounds, frequent lifting up to 50 pounds, and continuous lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent reaching or working overhead, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and walking.
• Continuous standing and repetitive hand motion.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.