Substation Protection & Controls Engineer — ESOP Growth Path

Nexus Engineering Group; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Mentorship

EPCm exposure

Flexible work arrangements

Career growth

Job summary

Nexus Engineering Group is seeking a Substation Engineer – Protection & Controls to develop protection, control, and wiring design for high-voltage substations. You will create single-line and three-line diagrams, schematics, and wiring docs, including protective relaying and SCADA/automation scopes, advancing toward independent design.

You’ll work with a collaborative team, gain mentorship from senior engineers, and grow into technical leadership through varied EPCm projects across a diverse

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in substation, power delivery, or electrical design.
• Proficiency with CAD (AutoCAD and/or AutoCAD Electrical).
• Familiarity with wiring scope — AC/DC schematics, control wiring, protective relaying, and SCADA/RTU/automation interfaces.
• Working knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, NEC, and NESC standards.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam (or equivalent) for redlines and markups.
• Willingness to travel to project and substation sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop and revise single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, schematics, and wiring documentation in CAD, with growing independence.
• Build and maintain cable/conduit lists, nameplates, and client-specific documentation.
• Assist the project lead in developing protection and control documentation, applying technical design standards.
• Support protective relaying, SCADA/RTU, and automation design and interfaces within your scope.
• Apply internal and external processes, procedures, and design standards (IEEE, ANSI, NEC, NESC).
• Coordinate with drafters, designers, other disciplines, clients, and vendors to deliver complete, constructible packages.

Skills

CAD

Bluebeam

IEEE/NEC

Protection & Control

Education

B.S. Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Nexus Engineering Group is employee-owned, full-service, and growing our Substation Department. As a Substation Engineer – Protection & Controls, you’ll develop the protection, control, and wiring design of high-voltage substation projects — and grow from production support toward independent design.

You’ll produce the single-line and three-line diagrams, schematics, and wiring documentation — including protective relaying and SCADA/automation scope — that keep substations running safely and reliably. Working alongside a collaborative team of engineers and designers, you’ll take on more ownership as you develop, building toward independent design of substation protection and control packages.

Why Nexus
You’ll own a piece of what you build. Nexus is employee-owned through our ESOP, so the value you help create comes back to you — not just outside shareholders. We invest in our engineers and give them room to grow into greater ownership of the work.

What you can expect:

• Employee ownership (ESOP) — build equity in the firm as it grows
• Real ownership that grows with you — from production support toward independent design
• Mentorship from senior engineers and designers on a collaborative team
• Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base
• Career paths that grow with you — toward technical leadership, project management, or discipline leadership
• Flexible work arrangements where business needs allow
  
  
  
  

What You’ll Do

• Develop and revise single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, schematics, and wiring documentation in CAD, with growing independence as you develop
• Build and maintain cable/conduit lists, nameplates, and client-specific documentation
• Assist the project lead in developing protection and control documentation, applying technical design standards
• Support protective relaying, SCADA/RTU, and automation design and interfaces within your scope
• Apply internal and external processes, procedures, and design standards (IEEE, ANSI, NEC, NESC)
• Coordinate with drafters, designers, other disciplines, clients, and vendors to deliver complete, constructible packages
  
  
  
  

Required Qualifications
What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline
• 2+ years of experience in substation, power delivery, or electrical design
• Proficiency with CAD (AutoCAD and/or AutoCAD Electrical)
• Familiarity with the wiring scope — AC/DC schematics, control wiring, protective relaying, and SCADA/RTU/automation interfaces
• Working knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, NEC, and NESC standards
• Proficiency with Bluebeam (or equivalent) for redlines and markups
• Ability to travel to project and substation sites, some of which are not accessible by public transportation
  
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Substation Design Suite (SDS) experience
• Exposure to procurement documentation and processes
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, with progress toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure
  
  
  
  

Work Environment & Physical Demands
This role combines office-based design work with periodic visits to substation and construction sites. This role may require:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Periodic travel to substation and construction sites, some not accessible by public transportation
• Site visits that may involve exposure to weather, energized electrical equipment, noise, and heavy equipment; appropriate PPE, including arc-rated clothing, must be worn on site
• The ability to walk uneven terrain and access outdoor substation yards, with or without reasonable accommodation
  
  
  
  

About Nexus Engineering Group
Nexus Engineering Group, a distinguished independent full-service engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) firm, provides comprehensive support to clients from concept through startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise.

At Nexus, you will be part of a talented and passionate team dedicated to excellence and innovation. We foster a collaborative and engaging work environment, making it a place where you’ll enjoy contributing to impactful projects. Joining Nexus means aligning with a firm renowned for its creativity, dedication, and relentless focus on achieving client goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer & Reasonable Accommodation
Nexus Engineering Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Nexus Engineering Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Sponsorship & Work Authorization
Nexus Engineering Group does not provide employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including CPT, OPT, or employment-based visas. Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States and must be able to maintain that authorization throughout employment without any action, filing, or sponsorship by the company. This requirement applies both at the time of hire and on a continuing basis for the duration of employment.

Third‑Party Agency Notice
Nexus Engineering Group does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from external recruiters or agencies. We only engage approved third‑party partners under a written agreement initiated by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Any resumes submitted without prior authorization or a current agreement will not be eligible for placement fees and will be considered the property of Nexus Engineering Group.

We may use AI tools to help our recruitment team review and organize applications. These tools support — but never replace — human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by people. If you’d like to know more about how your data is handled, contact us at [e-mail].

The posted salary range represents the anticipated base pay for this position in accordance with applicable pay-transparency requirements and may vary based on experience, qualifications, skills, certifications, work location, and market conditions.

In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — an ownership stake and a share in the long-term success of Nexus
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match and discretionary bonus opportunities
• Paid time off, holidays, and paid parental leave
• Professional development and career advancement — training, certifications, licensure support, tuition assistance, and mentorship
• Wellness benefits and a flexible schedule where business needs allow