Staff Electrical Engineer - Protection Applications (Vancouver, WA)

Burns & McDonnell; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Vancouver, WA is seeking an Electrical Engineer to lead or perform protection engineering projects across a wide range of voltages. You will develop relay settings, design basis documents, and coordinate with client teams to ensure reliable grid operation.

The role requires a degree in electrical engineering with experience in protection schemes and modeling tools; a Professional Engineer license is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering plus 3 years in electrical systems studies.
• Master’s degree in electrical engineering plus 2 years in related experience as an alternative.
• Professional Engineer licensure strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead or execute protection engineering projects across voltage levels up to 500 kV.
• Develop design basis documentation and native relay settings files.
• Provide technical guidance and lead design reviews with project teams.
• Coordinate project studies and communicate with internal and external clients.
• Mentor engineers and support business development and marketing initiatives.

Skills

Protection schemes

Power system modeling

Relay coordination

Technical leadership

FERC/NERC knowledge

IEC61850 knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ASPEN OneLiner

Siemens CAPE

ETAP

SKM

CYME

SEL AcSELerator/Grid

GE Enervista

Job description

Description

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

Required Experience:

• 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 that are 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

$120,000.00-170,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job

Electrical Engineering

Primary Location

US-WA-Vancouver

Schedule

Full-time

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID

265187

Job Hire Type

Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D