System Protection Engineer

SECO Energy (Sumter Electric Cooperative); Sumterville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SECO Energy in Sumterville, FL seeks an Electrical Engineer to support System Protection, relay coordination, and distribution automation design for substations and SCADA systems. Responsibilities include relay settings, protection scheme development, and coordinating with field personnel on projects and commissioning.

The ideal candidate will have a four-year electrical engineering degree, 2+ years in utility operations or protection, and familiarity with AutoCAD, SCADA, and protection

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in electrical engineering with power concentration.
• Two years minimum in electrical utility operations or protection.
• Florida PE preferred; job-related experience may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Assist in system protection coordination and relay setting calculations.
• Support substation automation design and SCADA integration.
• Provide field support during commissioning and testing.

Skills

System Protection

SCADA Integration

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Relay Calibration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

AcSELerator

SCADA

Microsoft Office

Job description

General Purpose of Job

This position is responsible for assisting in the design, creation of relay settings, evaluation of time‑current coordination curves, project estimation, ordering materials, and project management of protective relay, control and metering systems. The goal is to ensure reliable operations of substations, SCADA, and RTU systems; provide technical support services for distribution automation, substation and transmission design, demand‑side management, corporate communication and technical systems, or electrical facilities; and support field relay technicians. The position will coordinate with various departments to complete underfrequency, conservation voltage reduction, load shed programs, Distribution Automation, and assist in generation resources under SECO management and distribution interconnections.

Qualifications and Competencies

Education

• Minimum: Four (4) year bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in power system analysis, system protection, and relay maintenance.
• Preferred: Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Florida.
• Job‑related experience may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Experience

• Minimum: Two (2) years progressively responsible experience in electrical utility operations/SCADA/System Protection and Control or related environment.
• Preferred: Three (3) plus years progressively responsible experience in the same environments.
• Preferred: Experience or similar work with a distribution electric utility or related industry.

Other Requirements

• Ability to operate office equipment, including a personal computer, printers, copy machines, and telephone.
• Availability to work irregular hours and respond on short notice during emergency situations (e.g., Storm Duty/Emergency Response).
• Valid Florida driver’s license for company vehicle use; maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Frequent business travel to all areas of service territory.
• Normal work hours: Eight (8) hours between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
• Successful completion of pre‑employment background check, physical, and drug screen.

Core Competencies

• Safety: Follow safety procedures, identify potential hazards, and take appropriate action to maintain a safe working environment.
• Member Commitment: Provide exceptional service to members, actively listen to their needs, and ensure satisfaction.
• Honesty & Integrity: Act with honesty and integrity in all tasks, maintaining transparency and ethical standards.
• Work Ethic: Demonstrate a strong work ethic by consistently meeting deadlines and achieving high performance.
• Inclusive Culture: Contribute to an inclusive culture by respecting and valuing diverse perspectives and collaborating effectively.
• Accountability: Take responsibility for actions and decisions, ensuring commitments are met and high‑quality work is delivered.
• Teamwork: Work collaboratively with team members, sharing information and supporting collective goals.

Job Specific Competencies

• System Protection & Power Engineering: Apply electrical circuit analysis, transmission system principles, fuse coordination, and protection methodologies to design, analyze, and maintain protection schemes.
• Protection Systems, Automation & SCADA Integration: Use SEL AcSELerator software and other configuration tools; interface substation IEDs with SCADA RTUs; apply automation communication concepts.
• Engineering Tools & Technical Software: Use AutoCAD or similar CAD software; demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office and corporate engineering tools.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety: Apply NESC and OSHA rules to ensure designs and field activities meet safety and regulatory standards.
• Project Management & Work Execution: Plan, coordinate, and support system protection engineering projects; manage multiple priorities and meet engineering schedules.
• Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration: Communicate effectively through written, verbal, and listening skills; present technical information clearly in reports and discussions.
• Professional Judgment, Confidentiality & Resilience: Exercise sound judgment and discretion, maintain confidentiality, and handle stress and changing priorities effectively.
• Language Proficiency: Communicate effectively in English; demonstrate Spanish language capability when beneficial.

Verification

The qualifications and competencies for this position may be verified through a combination of education, experience, interview questions, and technical skills exercises.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

System Protection Analysis & Coordination

• Assist in the implementation of system protection philosophies and standards.
• Perform coordination studies and specify overcurrent protective devices.
• Analyze station and system events to identify root causes and support mitigation strategies to prevent or reduce outages.

Substation & Distribution Automation Design

• Design substation and distribution system automation facilities.
• Provide design upgrades and engineering support for SCADA systems.
• Support integration of protection, control, and automation systems within substations and distribution facilities.

Relay Engineering & Protection Settings

• Develop proficiency in relay specifications and protection schemes.
• Perform accurate and timely relay calibration and setting calculations for transmission and substation facilities.
• Support application and validation of relay settings in coordination with system requirements.

Engineering Design & Documentation

• Perform engineering design for new facilities and upgrades to existing substations, switching stations, and capacitor stations.
• Complete AutoCAD drawings, conduit schedules, cable schedules, and bills of materials for assigned projects.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and organized documentation for assigned substation and protection projects.
• Review designs and construction projects with engineering, operations, and construction personnel to ensure alignment and understanding.

Project Planning, Scheduling & Cost Estimation

• Prepare cost estimates for assigned substation and system protection projects.
• Plan, schedule, and monitor projects to meet projected in‑service dates.
• Coordinate project activities to support timely and efficient execution.

Field Support & Technical Collaboration

• Provide technical support to field relay technicians during installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Collaborate with internal engineering staff and field personnel to resolve technical issues and support system reliability.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Regularly required to sit and talk or hear; occasionally required to walk, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Required vision includes close, distance, color, and the ability to adjust focus. Work environment is generally sedentary with moderate noise levels.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

SECO Energy is an Equal Opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, the presence of any physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Discrimination or harassment based upon any of these factors is wholly inconsistent with our company values and will not be tolerated.

SECO Energy participates in E‑Verify. E‑Verify electronically compares information entered on the Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I‑9, with records contained in Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases to verify identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.