Senior Power Systems Engineer

USTBC ABB Installation Products Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB in Houston, TX seeks a Senior Power Systems Engineer to act as the technical authority for Protection & Controls and Power System Studies within the Automation Energy Industries division. You will lead complex projects, define protection philosophies, drive standards, mentor a growing team, and develop expertise in modern power infrastructure up to 69kV.

The role covers substation design, protection & controls engineering, power system studies, and PMS/SCADA integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university and Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 15+ years of experience in power systems engineering with depth in Protection & Controls for medium/high voltage systems.
• Expert knowledge of protection principles, relay coordination, protection scheme design, and relay configuration/settings development.
• Ability to lead and execute power system studies from standard to advanced analyses.
• Expert proficiency with ETAP, SKM, EasyPower, PSCAD or similar software.
• Strong understanding of IEEE, NFPA, NEC, ANSI, IEC codes; PMS/SCADA familiarity is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, documentation skills, and mentoring ability.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME by leading Protection & Controls engineering across multiple projects with standards oversight.
• Perform and review power system studies from short-circuit/load-flow to dynamic stability and harmonics.
• Investigate disturbances and equipment failures and analyze protective relay operations.
• Review engineering deliverables for technical accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Mentor engineers on protection and control best practices.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support project execution.
• Support substation and electrical building integration design packages and PMS/SCADA involvement.

Skills

Protection & Controls

Power system studies

Relay coordination

Mentoring

Power system analyses

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

ETAP

SKM PowerTools

EasyPower

PSCAD

Job description

At ABB , we help industries run leaner and cleaner-and every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to: Electrical Engineering Manager

ABB is seeking a Senior Power Systems Engineer to serve as the technical authority for Protection & Controls and Power System Studies within our Automation Energy Industries division in Houston, TX. In this role, you will lead the technical direction of complex projects, define protection philosophies, drive engineering standards, mentor a growing team of engineers, and develop a well-rounded understanding of modern power infrastructure up to 69kV.

Our group delivers substation design, protection and controls engineering, power system studies, and power management systems across medium and high voltage infrastructure. This is an opportunity to shape how we approach critical power system challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and leave a lasting impact on modern energy infrastructure

The work model for the role is: Hybrid (#LI-Hybrid)

This role contributes to the Automation Energy Industries division in Houston, TX.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert by leading Protection & Controls engineering across multiple projects - including the definition of protection philosophies, relay selection, settings development, configuration, coordination, and review of single line diagrams - while providing technical oversight and standards to the engineering team.
• Perform and review power system studies ranging from standard analyses (short circuit, load flow, protective device coordination, arc flash) to advanced studies (dynamic stability, harmonics, transient analysis, grounding, motor starting, frequency response, voltage stability, and generator synchronization).
• Investigate and analyze power system disturbances, equipment failures, and protective relay operations at customer facilities.
• Review engineering deliverables to ensure technical accuracy, consistency, and compliance with industry standards, project specifications, and internal engineering practices.
• Mentor team members on protection and control best practices, building technical capability within the group.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to support project execution and technical decision-making.
• Support substation and electrical building integration design packages from conceptual stage through construction completion (scope varies based on experience) .
• Support the design and implementation of power management systems (PMS) (scope varies based on experience).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university and Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 15+ years of experience in power systems engineering, with significant depth in Protection & Controls for medium and high voltage systems.
• Expert-level knowledge of protection principles, relay coordination, protection scheme design, and proven ability to independently perform relay configuration and settings development (e.g., SEL, GE, Siemens, ABB, or similar platforms).
• Ability to lead and execute power system studies independently - from standard analyses (SC, LF, PC, AF) through advanced studies (dynamic stability, harmonics, transient analysis, grounding, motor starting, and voltage stability).
• Expert-level proficiency with at least one major power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, SKM PowerTools, EasyPower, PSCAD, or similar).
• Strong understanding of relevant industry standards and codes (IEEE, NFPA, NEC, ANSI, IEC, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with substation design, electrical building integration, and/or power management systems (PMS/SCADA) is considered an asset.
• Excellent technical problem-solving, communication, documentation skills, and ability to mentor junior engineers.

We empower you to take the lead, share bold ideas, and shape real outcomes. You'll grow through hands-on experience, mentorship, and learning that fits your goals. Here, your work doesn't just matter, it moves things forward

What's in it for you

We want you to bring your full self to work-your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You'll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

More About Us

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their- sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental di