Senior Electrical Engineer - Protection Applications (Vancouver, WA)

Burns & McDonnell; Vancouver, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Vancouver, WA seeks an experienced Electrical Engineer to lead or execute power system protection and control projects across voltage classes up to 500 kV. Responsibilities include developing plans, coordinating studies, and guiding design reviews, with opportunities for leadership roles.

The role emphasizes technical mentorship, client communication, and support for business development within a dynamic engineering environment.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering plus seven years of experience.
• Master’s degree with six years of related experience may substitute for the bachelor’s + seven years.
• Professional Engineer licensure preferred.
• Protection and control design experience for substations (69kV–500kV).

Responsibilities

• Lead or execute complex power system protection and control projects.
• Develop and evaluate plans for major projects and assess feasibility.
• Coordinate departmental or divisional project studies and design assignments.
• Perform power system studies and protective relay coordination.
• Develop design basis documentation and native relay files.
• Provide technical guidance and conduct design reviews.
• Act as primary client contact and support business development.
• Mentor junior engineers and assist commissioning activities.

Skills

Power system studies

Relay coordination

Project leadership

Substation protection

Client communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field

Master’s degree in electrical engineering or related field

Tools

ASPEN OneLiner

Electrocon CAPE

SEL AcSELerator

GE Enervista

Job description

Description

Responsible for leading or executing power system protection and control engineering projects. Projects range in size, complexity, and voltage class from small distribution equipment upgrades to large transmission projects. This position can influence the future of the resiliency, reliability and economic operation of the electric grid. Opportunities to advance into leadership/management roles are available.

Position may include following assignments:

• Executes complex assignments requiring the use of advanced electrical engineering techniques, resulting in the development of new or improved processes, equipment, and/or technological methods.


• Develop and evaluate plans for major projects. Assess feasibility or soundness of proposed applications when data is insufficient or testing is advisable.


• Coordinate departmental or divisional project studies, reports, or project design assignments.


• Responsible for performing power system studies and system protection settings coordination on various projects (up to 500-kV voltage level).


• Develop design basis documentation for protective settings and generate native relay configuration files.


• Provide technical guidance to the project team, conduct design reviews, and support quality control.


• Act as primary contact for both internal and external client-side communication.


• Assist project manager to develop scope of work and conceptual design for the projects.


• Train, guide, and mentor lower level engineers.


• Support business development and marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a directly related field plus seven (7) years of experience in electrical systems studies in the electric utility or industrial power distribution industry.


• Will accept a master’s degree plus six (6) years of related experience in lieu of bachelor’s degree plus seven (7) years of related experience.

Preferred Experience/Skills:

• A Professional Engineer licensure is strongly preferred.


• Protection and Control system design for substation applications and automation (69kV - 500kV), one-lines, three-lines, AC/DC schematics, control panel layouts, bill of materials, and protection specifications.


• Application of industry standards for the protection of system equipment, including power busses, power transformers, HV/MV circuit breakers, capacitor banks, reactors, transmission lines, and distribution feeders.


• Power systems modeling and protective relay coordination analysis using ASPEN OneLiner or Electrocon CAPE software.


• Designing calculations, including short circuit calculation, current transformer performance and ratio selection, over-current element coordination, zone-distance element selection and coordination, and relay loadability calculation.


• Developing native relay setting files using SEL’s AcSELerator and GE’s Enervista software programs.


• Providing engineering support with construction and commissioning activities for substations.


• Leading multiple engineering teams on engineering design and scope for multiple projects.


• Knowledge of FERC and NERC requirements as they pertain to electric utility reliability requirements is a plus.


• Knowledge of IEC61850 and its implementation is a plus.

Compensation

$165,000.00-230,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Electrical Engineering

Primary Location US-WA-Vancouver

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID: 264511

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D