Sr. Power Plant Electrical Engineer

Eightelevengroup; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Eightelevengroup is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer (Power Plant) for a Houston, TX onsite contract-to-hire role with up to 50% travel. You will lead testing, maintenance, and design efforts across fossil, wind, solar, and battery systems with a hands-on approach.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in power generation, strong HV knowledge, and proven leadership. Safety compliance and cross‑functional collaboration are essential in this fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in power generation or related industry.
• Extensive knowledge of electrical theory, power plant design, and high‑voltage equipment.
• Experience with testing, maintenance, and operation of protective electrical systems.
• Ability to read, interpret, create, and revise power plant drawings and schematics.
• Strong commitment to safety and compliance with industry standards.
• Demonstrated project management, leadership, influence, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and technical presentation skills; comfortable speaking to groups.
• Good writing skills and ability to work in a diverse, fast‑paced environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% and provide emergency support as needed.
• Ability to work in office, plant, and field environments—often in harsh conditions.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Preferred: postgraduate degree in Engineering or related field.
• Preferred: 10+ years of advanced experience in power generation and relay protection work.
• Preferred: trade school or military training.
• Preferred: familiarity with SEL, Basler, GE, and Siemens relay protection equipment.
• Preferred: ETAP experience

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership during testing and maintenance of protective electrical systems in substations and power plants.
• Develop and implement test plans and procedures for electrical systems.
• Collaborate with corporate engineering, plant personnel, regional utility engineers, and contracted firms on design, implementation, and commissioning of complex electrical projects.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations, including PPE, fall protection, and arc flash clothing.
• Offer technical support and training to junior technicians and staff.
• Read, interpret, create, and revise power plant drawings, schematics.
• Provide technical guidance in outage forecasting, maintenance prioritization, and budget development.
• Deliver around-the-clock emergency support as needed, including travel across the US.

Skills

Electrical theory

Power plant design

High‑voltage equipment

Project management

Leadership

Communication skills

Reading and interpreting drawings

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor of Science in relevant engineering discipline

Postgraduate degree preferred

Tools

ETAP

Relay protection equipment knowledge

Job description

Sr. Electrical Engineer (Power Plant)

Houston, TX (Onsite, 50% travel to facilities/sites)

On-Site role, 6+ month Contract-to-Hire

$65 - $85 per hour (Conversion Salary: $180K–$190K)

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join a Fortune 500 Energy Client as a Senior Electrical Engineer (Power Plant) in Houston, TX. This contract-to-hire position is part of the Engineering & Technical Services department within Operations and reports to the Electrical Engineering Manager. You will provide subject matter expertise in the design, maintenance, repair, and operation of a diverse power generation fleet—including fossil fuel, peaking, wind, solar, and utility‑scale battery systems. The role requires approximately 50% travel to generation and support facilities, and vendor sites. You will lead testing and maintenance of protective electrical systems, develop and implement test plans, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, ensure compliance with safety and industry standards, and provide technical support and training to junior staff. This is a hands‑on role requiring a strong background in electrical theory, power plant design, and high‑voltage equipment, as well as excellent problem‑solving, leadership, and communication skills. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced, diverse environment and is committed to safety and quality.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Provide technical leadership during testing and maintenance of protective electrical systems in substations and power plants
• Develop and implement test plans and procedures for electrical systems
• Collaborate with corporate engineering, plant personnel, regional utility engineers, and contracted engineering firms on the design, implementation, and commissioning of complex electrical projects
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations, including the use of appropriate PPE, fall protection, and arc flash clothing
• Offer technical support and training to junior technicians and staff
• Read, interpret, create, and revise power plant drawings, schematics, and diagrams
• Provide technical guidance in multi‑year outage forecasting, maintenance and upgrade prioritization, and budgetary development
• Deliver around‑the‑clock emergency support as needed, including video/teleconferencing and emergency travel throughout the US
• Apply expertise in electrical theory and equipment such as generators, switchgear, excitation equipment, protective relays, breakers, and transformers
• Safely work with energized high‑voltage equipment and ensure adherence to safety protocols
• Utilize strong problem‑solving and analytical skills to address technical challenges with attention to detail and a commitment to safety
• Communicate effectively and work independently as well as collaboratively within teams
• Support outage forecasting, maintenance prioritization, and budget development
• Perform all other duties as assigned by management

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor of Science in a relevant engineering discipline
• Minimum 5 years of experience in power generation or a related industry
• Extensive knowledge of electrical theory, power plant design, and high‑voltage equipment
• Experience with testing, maintenance, and operation of protective electrical systems
• Ability to read, interpret, create, and revise power plant drawings and schematics
• Strong commitment to safety and compliance with industry standards
• Demonstrated project management, leadership, influence, and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and technical presentation skills; confidence speaking in front of groups
• Good writing skills and desire to work in a diverse, fast‑paced environment
• Willingness to travel up to 50% and provide emergency support as needed
• Ability to work in office, plant, and field environments—including harsh, dirty, and loud conditions, sometimes in extreme weather and for extended hours
• Physical ability to walk, stand, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs; ability to use keyboard and computer for long intervals
• Preferred: Postgraduate degree in Engineering or related field
• Preferred: 10+ years of advanced experience in power generation and relay protection work
• Preferred: Successful completion of applicable trade school or military training
• Preferred: Intimate knowledge of SEL, Basler, GE, and Siemens relay protection equipment
• Preferred: Experience using ETAP for arc flash, load flow, and coordination studies

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Opportunity to work with a Fortune 500 energy leader on a diverse and innovative power generation fleet
• Contract-to-hire pathway with competitive hourly pay and strong conversion salary
• Challenging, hands‑on engineering work with significant responsibility and impact
• Collaborative, safety‑focused, and supportive team environment
• Professional growth and development opportunities