Staff Electrical Engineer - Protection Applications (Minneapolis)

Burns & McDonnell; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement program

Insurance benefits

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Minneapolis seeks a Power System Protection Engineer to lead or execute projects that enhance the electric grid's efficiency and reliability. Responsibilities include performing system studies, coordinating designs, and mentoring junior engineers. Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering along with relevant experience or a Master’s degree with less experience. The position offers a competitive salary range of $110,000 to $165,000 per year, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in electrical systems studies.
• Strong knowledge of protection schemes in substations.
• Experience with relay coordination analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering projects on power system protection applications.
• Conduct technical guidance and design reviews.
• Train and mentor less experienced engineers.

Skills

Electrical engineering

System protection

Power systems modeling

Engineering design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

ASPEN OneLiner

Siemens CAPE

ETAP

SKM

CYME

Job description

Overview

Responsible for leading or executing power system protection applications 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 less experienced engineers.
• Support business development and marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a directly related field plus (3) years of experience in electrical systems studies in the electric utility or industrial power distribution industry.
• Will accept a Master’s degree plus (2) years of related experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree plus (3) years of related experience.

Preferred Experience / Skills

• A Professional Engineer licensure is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the predominant protection schemes and philosophies encountered in Transmission, Distribution and Renewable Collector Substations.
• 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 Siemens CAPE, ETAP, SKM, CYME 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/Grid configurator and GE’s Enervista and similar vendor 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

$110,000.00 – $165,000.00 yearly. The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in a discretionary year‑end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package includes insurance, disability, time off, wellness programs, and a 401(k) retirement program. Eligible employees participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.

EEO / Disabled / Veterans

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.