Substation Protection & Controls Engineer - San Diego/Irvine

Kiewit; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Kiewit Power Delivery is seeking a Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer for projects ranging from 12 kV to 500 kV. Based in California, you will develop P&C deliverables ensuring safe, reliable, and coordinated substation operation.

Join an experienced team delivering design and engineering across North America, collaborating with civil, structural and electrical disciplines while supporting procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5-7 years of experience in substation protection and control design.
• Familiarity with relay setting software and RTU/SCADA tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop one line and three line diagrams defining project scope and protection philosophy.
• Create AC/DC schematic diagrams including control circuits and tripping schemes.
• Design wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and interconnection drawings for relays and RTUs.
• Perform P&C engineering calculations (CT/PT sizing, DC load, breaker duty, coordination studies).
• Support relay settings, logic diagrams, and configuration files for microprocessor relays.
• Assist RTU/SCADA configuration, interface requirements, and data lists.

Skills

Substation protection

Protection coordination

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SEL AcSELerator

GE Enervista

Job description

Requisition ID: 178942

Job Level: Mid Level

Home District/Group: Kiewit Power Engineering

Department: Design Engineering

Market: Power

Employment Type: Full Time

Position Overview

We are looking for a Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer to support the design and engineering of greenfield and brownfield substation projects ranging from 12 kV to 500 kV. This role focuses on developing the full suite of P&C deliverables that ensure safe, reliable, and coordinated operation of high voltage substations.

District Overview

Kiewit Power Delivery. is a full-service engineering and construction solutions provider operating across North America. Our experience and expertise span all aspects of the transmission and distribution market from high voltage overhead and underground transmission to distribution and automation design and construction capabilities. With these broad capabilities, we operate in the electric utility, renewable energy, industrial, and oil & gas markets. As part of Kiewit, we are integrated with 135 years of construction and engineering experience that provides holistic solutions, differentiating our team from the rest of the industry.

Our rapidly growing power delivery business has opened new locations across North America to strengthen our market presence while executing work within the communities that we live. We have invested in industry-leading design technology and platforms while also expanding our construction equipment fleet with the most advanced, and safest equipment on the market. We are committed to building upon our history as one of the safest companies to work for by equipping our craft with the best tooling and safety programs available.

We are an innovative team that prides itself on excellence through continuous improvement and an unwavering commitment to deliver for our clients. Our staff collaborates with Kiewit’s vast internal network of resources that span heavy civil and infrastructure, vertical and commercial buildings, mining, as well our oil & gas and power generation markets, to drive safe and cost-effective solutions that achieve client expectations and further Kiewit’s legacy of excellence.

Location

This position is based out of our office in San Diego or Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develop one line and three line diagrams that define project scope, equipment configuration, and protection philosophy.
• Create detailed AC and DC schematic diagrams, including control circuits, tripping schemes, metering, and auxiliary power systems.
• Design and review wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and interconnection drawings for relays, RTUs, communication equipment, and station devices.
• Perform P&C related engineering calculations such as CT/PT sizing, DC load calculations, breaker duty checks, and protection coordination studies.
• Support development of relay settings, logic diagrams, and configuration files for microprocessor based relays.
• Assist with RTU/SCADA configuration, point lists, and communication interface requirements.
• Collaborate with civil, structural, and physical electrical design teams to ensure integrated and constructible substation designs.
• Provide technical support during procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5-7 years of experience with substation protection and control design for utility or EPC projects.
• Familiarity with relay setting software (e.g., SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista) and RTU/SCADA configuration tools.
• Understanding of NERC, IEEE, and utility specific protection standards.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to interpret complex electrical drawings.

#LI-RF1

Working Conditions

• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.

Base Compensation: $123,000/yr - $129,000/yr

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Company: Kiewit