Sr. Project Engineer - Electrical

LJA Energy Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & holidays

Comprehensive benefits

Education support

Referral bonuses

Community impact

Career growth

Fun culture

Job summary

LJA Energy, Inc. seeks a Sr. Project Engineer to lead Electrical, Instrumentation and Control (EIC) system design for midstream oil and gas and public works projects. You will mentor a multidisciplinary team and ensure NEC, IEEE and client specifications are met.

Responsibilities include overseeing drawings, control schematics, and technical specs, coordinating with clients and contractors, and supporting proposals and cost estimates to drive project success.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering with power systems emphasis; PE license required.
• 10+ years post-graduate design experience in EIC for midstream oil & gas projects.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of Electrical, Instrumentation & Control (EIC) systems across projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers; oversee task assignments and reviews.
• Prepare and review drawings, specs, and procurement documents to NEC standards.
• Coordinate with clients, contractors, and internal teams through project lifecycle.
• Provide sign-off as Engineer of Record and support cost estimates.

Skills

EIC systems design

Team leadership

NEC/IEEE knowledge

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Electrical

MS in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

ETAP Power Tools

SKM Power Tools

CAD software

Job description

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW: As a Sr. Project Engineer at LJA Energy, you will play a key technical and leadership role in the design and execution of Electrical, Instrumentation, and Control (EIC) system projects across the Midstream Oil & Gas and Public Works sectors. Typical projects include metering and compressor stations, pipeline interconnections, oil and chemical pump stations, fuel storage and transfer facilities, product loading terminals, water and wastewater treatment plants, lift and booster pump stations, groundwater storage facilities, highway and area lighting systems, standby generator systems, switchgear, and motor control center (MCC) installations. In this role, you will mentor and guide a multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers, and CAD staff to ensure that all design packages meet client expectations, budget targets, and regulatory standards. You will oversee the preparation and review of electrical design drawings, control schematics, and technical specifications, ensuring compliance with NEC, IEEE, NFPA, API, ISA, and other applicable codes and standards. The position requires close coordination with clients, contractors, and internal project managers to deliver high-quality engineering solutions that align with project scope, schedule, and budget. You will also provide technical direction for power distribution systems, control system architecture, SCADA integration, and protective device coordination while supporting proposal development, cost estimation, and business development initiatives to advance LJA Energy’s continued growth and technical excellence.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Providing technical leadership in the design and development of Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) systems for multiple small to medium-scale projects, ensuring compliance with National Electrical Code (NEC) and industry standards.
• Mentoring and guiding junior engineers and designers, managing workflows, task assignments, and promoting professional growth across E&I projects in both midstream and public works sectors.
• Preparing and reviewing detailed engineering calculations, drawings, and design documentation including:-
  • Utility service connections and standby power generation systems
  • Motor Control Centers (MCCs) and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
  • Conduit and cable schedules
  • Electrical systems including lighting, instrumentation, PLC/RTU control, monitoring, and communications
  • Low to medium voltage systems and related E&I documentation
• Overseeing the complete project execution process, from conceptual and detailed design through construction support, covering submittal reviews, RFI responses, change order coordination, and client interaction.
• Supporting the bidding and contractor selection process, ensuring alignment with project technical requirements and objectives.
• Identifying and resolving technical, scheduling, and budget challenges through proactive coordination with project managers, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Assisting in proposal preparation and engineering service estimates, including defining deliverables, labor hour projections, and construction cost estimates.
• Ensuring quality assurance by reviewing all design deliverables for NEC compliance, constructability, and safety-focused design.
• Leading small multidisciplinary engineering teams on multiple concurrent projects, providing technical direction, coordination, and quality oversight.
• Performing power system studies and analyses using tools such as ETAP and SKM Power Tools to support load flow, short circuit, and protective device coordination studies.
• Serving as a primary technical point of contact, effectively communicating with clients, contractors, and internal teams to maintain alignment and transparency throughout the project.
• Developing comprehensive P&IDs, I/O lists, test procedures, instrumentation and control panel specifications, SCADA master plans, and supporting PLC/HMI selection, telemetry studies, system assessments, and preliminary engineering reports.
• Conducting client training sessions, site visits, field inspections, and punch list activities to ensure project delivery meets design intent.
• Acting as the Engineer of Record, providing professional engineering sign-off on project deliverables and ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.

REQUIRED EDUCATION LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in power systems or related discipline.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Electrical Engineering (required).
• Strong understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and its application to engineering design and construction.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 10 years of post-graduate experience in the design of Electrical, Instrumentation & Control (EIC) systems.
• Proven experience serving as engineer of record or technical lead on midstream oil and gas projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in instrumentation and control, as well as preparing technical specifications, and procurement documentation.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to explain complex engineering concepts clearly.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships with internal teams and external clients.

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in power systems.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience in the renewable energy sector and familiarity with transmission and distribution (T&D) systems.
• Business development experience including client engagement and proposal preparation.
• Leadership experience supervising teams of industrial electrical engineers on large-scale projects.
• Knowledge of Front-End Loading (FEL) and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) processes.
• Experience with design-build and progressive design-build delivery methods.
• Ability to obtain and maintain licensure in multiple states.
• Skilled in developing detailed engineering estimates and maintaining project budgets and schedules.
• Strong working knowledge of Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) tools, software and workflows.

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.