Senior Distribution Planning & Advanced Analysis Engineer

Sargent & Lundy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy’s Distribution Planning and Advanced Analysis group seeks a Senior Associate Engineer to lead advanced studies on distribution system performance, DER integration, and protection coordination. The role features a hybrid work arrangement with three days in-office and two remote days, plus relocation support based on location.

Essential experience includes five years in utility distribution planning, protection, and DER hosting capacity; proficiency with CYME, Synergi, Milsoft

Qualifications

• Requires ABET-accredited engineering degree.
• Five+ years in electric utility distribution planning, protection, DER interconnection studies, hosting capacity analysis, and advanced power system studies.
• Experience with load flow, short-circuit, protection coordination, power quality, and reliability analyses.
• Experience with distribution planning studies including N-1 contingency analysis, capacity assessments, feeder reconfiguration, and integrated grid planning.
• Knowledge of utility planning criteria, system reinforcement strategies, and capital project prioritization.
• Experience with renewable energy and storage interconnection studies (system impact, facilities, protection, transient stability, EMT).
• Familiarity with IEEE 1547-2018, IEEE 2800, NERC reliability standards, and interconnection requirements.
• Identify distribution system thermal and voltage constraints via load flow studies.
• Experience with harmonics and power quality analyses for inverter-based resources.
• Experience with overcurrent protection devices (relays, reclosers, fuses, breakers).
• Proficiency with distribution planning tools (CYME, Synergi Electric, Milsoft Windmil, ASPEN, CAPE).
• Familiarity with IEEE, IEC, ANSI standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead load flow, short-circuit, flicker, and protection coordination studies on electric distribution networks.
• Evaluate impacts of loads and DER interconnections on voltage, loading, power quality, and reliability.
• Conduct regulator and capacitor bank placement studies for Volt/VAR optimization.
• Support DER interconnection applications for wind, solar, BESS, and thermal generation including hosting capacity studies.
• Develop relay setpoints and configuration files; ensure safety and reliability per industry standards.
• Assess protection system impacts of DER interconnections (fault currents, anti-islanding, transfer trip).
• Perform arc-flash hazard assessments per IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E.
• Support protection modernization (digital relays, feeder automation, ADMS).
• Lead power quality data analysis, feeder reliability, EMT, and distribution automation studies.
• Assist clients in regulatory compliance (ANSI C84.1; IEEE 519, 1159, 1366, 1453, 1547; UL 1741; SGIP).
• Prepare client reports and presentations; summarize findings and recommendations.
• Provide mentorship and technical training to engineers; support RFPs and marketing presentations.

Skills

Load flow

Short-circuit

Protection coordination

DER interconnection studies

Power quality analysis

Voltage regulation

N-1 contingency analysis

CYME

Synergi Electric

Milsoft Windmil

CAPE

IEEE 1547-2018

NERC standards

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Master’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

CYME

Synergi Electric

Milsoft Windmil

ASPEN

CAPE

PSS/E

PSLF

ETAP

PSCAD

Job description

Sargent & Lundy’s Distribution Planning and Advanced Analysis group seeks a Senior Associate Engineer to lead advanced studies on distribution system performance, DER integration, and protection coordination. The role features a hybrid work arrangement with three days in-office and two remote days, plus relocation support based on location.

Essential experience includes five years in utility distribution planning, protection, and DER hosting capacity; proficiency with CYME, Synergi, Milsoft