Regional Lead, Substation Protection & Control Engineering

CDM Smith; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Substation Protection & Control Engineer to lead technical delivery and team development within our Power and Energy practice. You will act as a technical authority for protection systems, guiding complex projects and mentoring engineers.

You’ll collaborate with clients and multidisciplinary teams to ensure reliable power infrastructure, drive quality, and support business growth across multiple offices in the US.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or Electrical Technology or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, delivery, and technical execution of high-voltage substation protection and control projects.
• Serve as a technical authority for protective relaying, control systems, SCADA integration, automation, and substation communications.
• Develop, review, and approve protection and control engineering deliverables, including schematics, wiring diagrams, relay settings, panel layouts, and integration documentation.
• Lead power system studies, protection coordination, equipment selection, and related engineering analyses.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, utility standards, and CDM Smith quality procedures.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery, commissioning, testing, and startup activities.
• Drive technical excellence through quality reviews, engineering standards development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers and designers to support technical excellence and career growth.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching, and support training, professional registration, and succession planning.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain engineering talent to support project and business needs.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate mentoring relationships through the Career Compass Program and support employee development initiatives.
• Recognize and celebrate employee achievements, certifications, promotions, and key career milestones.
• Drive employee engagement and workforce development across the team.
• Manage team utilization, staffing, workload distribution, direct labor, and profitability goals.
• Coordinate resource planning and staffing assignments with Technical Discipline Managers and project leadership.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, and performance to support successful project execution.
• Support business development activities, including proposals, presentations, strategic pursuits, and client relationship management.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for clients, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with quality, ethics, health and safety, and required training programs.
• Approve timesheets, expense reports, and other administrative requirements in a timely manner.

Skills

Substation protection

Protective relaying

SCADA integration

Power system operations

Project management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

PE license

15 years of related experience

Tools

SCADA

Relays

Electrical schematics

Protection software/tools

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Substation Protection & Control Engineer to lead technical delivery and team development within our Power and Energy practice. You will act as a technical authority for protection systems, guiding complex projects and mentoring engineers.

You’ll collaborate with clients and multidisciplinary teams to ensure reliable power infrastructure, drive quality, and support business growth across multiple offices in the US.