Substation Engineer - System Protection

Westwood Professional Services; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Substation Engineer - System Protection to join our team on electric substation design projects (4kV–230kV) and renewable interconnections.

You will develop protection and control specifications, set relay settings, and perform event analyses. Responsibilities include conducting short-circuit and coordination studies, QA/QC of diagrams, and providing technical support to procurement, field teams, and the P&C design group.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years related work experience in high voltage substation design and relay settings.
• Proficient using protection software such as ASPEN One Liner, ETAP, PowerFactory, or CYME Dist.
• Familiar with NERC System Protection Coordination requirements (PRC-019/024/025/027) and NEC/NSC codes.

Responsibilities

• Develop protection and control specifications for HV substations.
• Create relay settings and perform event analysis.
• Conduct short circuit, relay coordination, CT saturation, and other power system studies.
• Produce one-line and three-line diagrams, current/potential schematics, control and alarm schematics.
• Provide technical support to procurement and construction/testing teams.
• Coordinate with P&C design and field personnel; act as technical lead when required.

Skills

Protection coordination

Relay settings

Tools

ASPEN One Liner

ETAP

PowerFactory

CYME Dist.

Job description

Substation Engineer - System Protection

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Substation Engineer - System Protection to join our team. The Substation System Protection Engineer serves as an engineer on electric substation design projects for high‑voltage utility systems and renewable energy interconnection projects. He/she will apply their engineering knowledge and experience to fulfill the principal duties and responsibilities listed below. He/she should be familiar with protection scheme functionality and have the ability to develop relay settings. He/she will also work with other internal and external project stakeholders to ensure project milestones and expectations of contracted services are met. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high‑level professional services to our clients.

Duties and Responsibilities

Performs all aspects of design for high voltage (4kV - 230kV) and EHV (above 230kV) substation projects to include:

Development of:

• Protection and Control Specifications
• Relay Settings
• Event Analysis

Studies:

• Short Circuit
• Relay Coordination
• CT Saturation
• Other power system studies

Perform QA/QC:

• One‑Line Diagrams
• Three‑Line Diagrams
• Current and Potential Schematics
• Control Schematics
• Alarm Schematics

Technical Support:

• Procurement
• Construction (Testing and Commissioning)

Active Coordination:

• Ability to work seamlessly with and provide guidance to the P&C Design team in their development of the above‑listed items
• Ability to provide technical support to field personnel, responsible for applying and testing relay settings
• Ability to coordinate efforts with all project team members by identifying coordination needs within specific disciplines (i.e., protection and control design engineers, transmission line engineers, distribution line engineers, telecom engineers, etc.)

Support Consistency:

• Follow department processes and procedures
• Continue strong customer service

Support Business:

• Provides transparent and honest feedback to the project team (i.e., external stakeholders, clients, etc.)
• Helps develop approaches to accommodate unique client requests.
• Works to advise Management about how to maximize ROI for the team.

Other Expectations:

• Leverages experience by mentoring and training entry‑level professionals, including top graduates entering the field of system protection.
• Keenly focused on production of high‑quality work and supports continuous improvement efforts.
• Enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment on multiple projects.
• Responsible for assisting with identification of key client interests and drivers and may determine the key clients in some instances.
• Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work.
• Serves as a technical specialist for system protection and communication and has knowledge and skillset to provide consultation and guidance to project teams.
• Remove any impediments that are obstructing the engineering team from achieving its goals.
• Works to advise Management about how to maximize ROI for the team.
• Attending all client technical review meetings.
• Act as project technical lead and QA/QC lead as needed.

Requirements

Required Experience

• Minimum of 4 years related work experience in the field of high voltage substation design, particularly relay settings for utility and/or renewable projects.
• Proficient using ASPEN One Liner, ETAP, Power Factory, CYME Dist., or similar programs.
• Strong familiarity with NERC System Protection Coordination Requirements, including NERC PRC-019, NERC PRC-024, NERC PRC-025 and NERC PRC-027.
• Strong familiarity with the NEC and National Electrical Safety Code.
• Good knowledge of the industry and technology trends specific to substations.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.