Senior Substation Protection Engineer

ISHE; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Senior Protection & Studies Engineer to lead and grow our protection capabilities. You will shape the future of our practice, delivering hands-on engineering excellence and mentoring a growing team.

The role focuses on protection schemes for substations, distribution, and industrial facilities, with responsibilities spanning studies, relay settings, and compliance reporting. The position offers growth and leadership exposure within the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of job-related experience.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and the National Electrical Code.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (or ability to obtain by comity) in the state of the hiring Cushing Terrell office.
• Advanced knowledge of one or more Electrical Systems Analysis Software packages, ETAP preferred.
• Working knowledge of Bluebeam, Outlook, and Microsoft Office.
• Proven record of technical competence in electrical system design including substations, overhead and underground distribution, and industrial installations, with applicable codes and regulations.
• Develop working knowledge of Cushing Terrells process and issues affecting productivity and quality control.
• Ability to prepare fee proposals, various studies and reports in relation to essential functions listed below.
• Work independently or under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer or Project Manager.
• Ability to administer construction contracts and conduct on-site observation of work during construction to monitor plan compliance, including administration and review of addendums, substitutions, change orders, and submittals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and implementation of protection schemes for substations, distribution systems, and industrial facilities.
• Perform system studies, develop protection schemes, coordinate relay settings, and review designs for accuracy and code compliance.
• Serve as the technical authority for other teams, providing guidance, mentorship, and support.
• Help expand and develop the firms protection capabilities, including building and mentoring a growing team.
• Collaborate across disciplines on sustainable, impactful projects, influencing both technical direction and firm strategy.
• Perform short-circuit, load-flow, coordination, grounding, lightning protection studies as required.
• Produce protective relay settings and setting files utilizing relay vendor software.
• Apply NERC-PRC standards to relay coordination and produce applicable compliance reports.
• Develop protection schemes for substations & industrial installations.
• Coordinate with other substation design disciplines (i.e., P&C design teams).
• Maintain a working knowledge of processes and issues affecting productivity and quality of contract documents and reports.
• Act as Engineer-in-charge, including making technical decisions in their respective field, reviewing, stamping, and signing construction documents.
• Develop positive external and internal client relationships and participate in project interviews for firm-wide projects.
• Conduct project closeout and quality measurement investigation.

Skills

Power system protection

Relay coordination

Substation design

Mentorship

Independent work

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

ETAP

Bluebeam

Outlook

Microsoft Office

Job description

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Senior Protection & Studies Engineer to lead and grow our protection capabilities. You will shape the future of our practice, delivering hands-on engineering excellence and mentoring a growing team.

The role focuses on protection schemes for substations, distribution, and industrial facilities, with responsibilities spanning studies, relay settings, and compliance reporting. The position offers growth and leadership exposure within the firm.