Senior Electrical Engineer – Substation Protection & Control

Remote Role

Contract to hire

Conversion Compensation: 145000 - 185000

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Electrical Engineer to join their Substation Protection & Control (P&C) team. In this high-impact, fully remote role, you will oversee, review, and execute the design of protection and control systems for medium to high-voltage substations, supporting utility and transmission clients nationwide. As a technical leader, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary project teams to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable substation designs, mentor junior engineers, and ensure the highest quality standards are met. You will work on a variety of projects, including new greenfield substations, brownfield upgrades, and relay replacement programs, from conceptual design through construction support. This position may require occasional site visits and offers the opportunity to work on complex and diverse substation projects.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead and review the design of protection and control systems for new and existing substations (15kV–500kV).
• Develop or oversee the creation of detailed design packages, including:
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  • One-line & three-line diagrams
  • AC/DC schematic diagrams
  • Wiring diagrams
  • Protection & control schematics
  • I/O assignment and logic diagrams
  • Panel layouts and bills of materials
  • SCADA/RTU communication integration
  • Construction documentation and sequencing
• Review and approve design documentation produced by internal teams or subcontractors.
• Develop relay protection philosophies, select appropriate relays (SEL, GE, ABB, etc.), and verify compliance with applicable codes and client standards.
• Support relay settings development and coordination studies in collaboration with protection engineers.
• Provide technical oversight on multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring on-time delivery and quality.
• Collaborate with project managers, drafters, civil/structural engineers, and field personnel to ensure project success.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing.
• Support occasional site visits for scoping, design verification, commissioning, or construction coordination.
• Stay current with industry codes (IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NEC, NESC), utility standards, and emerging technologies in the T&D space, including IEC 61850 and digital substation technologies.
• Interface with client standards and utility-specific design guidelines as required.
• Contribute to project management, proposal development, and engineering estimating and scheduling as needed.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET-accredited program, preferably with a Power Systems or Controls concentration.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in substation protection and controls design, including wiring diagrams, schematics, and relay system design.
• Demonstrated expertise in high-voltage substation protection systems (15kV–500kV).
• Proficiency in developing and reviewing one-line, three-line, AC/DC schematic, wiring, and protection & control diagrams.
• Experience with SCADA/RTU/telecommunication design and integration.
• Strong knowledge of protective relay selection (SEL, GE, ABB, etc.).
• Familiarity with industry standards: IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NEC, NESC.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar design tools.
• Experience with relay settings development and coordination studies.
• Field commissioning or relay testing experience.
• Familiarity with IEC 61850 and digital substation technologies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience mentoring and guiding junior engineers.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams and interface with client standards and utility-specific design guidelines.
• Project management or proposal development experience is a plus.
• Working knowledge of engineering estimating and scheduling tools.
• Ability to perform site visits and support construction/commissioning activities as needed.
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including lifting 10-50 pounds and performing site visits (standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and manipulating light to medium weights).

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Fully remote work environment with occasional site visits as needed.
• Opportunity to work on a diverse range of substation projects from concept through construction.
• Collaborative and supportive team culture with opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.
• Competitive compensation.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—equal opportunity employer.
• Reasonable accommodations provided in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Drug-free workplace.

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