Principal Protection Engineer

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Principle Protection Engineer for our Charlotte, NC office. Be involved in projects with our Electrical Studies, SCADA, and Protection (ESSP) Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. Provides leadership within a sector of organization to ensure electrical engineering subject matter, technical deliverables, infrastructure projects and programs are delivered with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry and company standards for design, safety, and functionality. Responsible for SME innovation and administration, ensuring corporate compliance with all Local, State, and Federal engineering, construction, and safety regulations, and providing pragmatic direction to address current and future challenges in a rapidly‑changing and complex business climate. The successful applicant will be responsible for successful completion of assigned projects and for maintaining and improving client relationships as well as developing and growing new technical service areas. Completion of these functions requires technical competence in primary production roles as well as leadership competence in working with clients and mentoring and supervising team members assigned to projects. Your Impact Assigned projects will include electrical studies for utility, industrial/commercial, and IPP clients. Systems to be analyzed will include conventional and renewable generation facilities, substations, and transmission and distribution systems. Short circuit and symmetrical component analysis Protection system coordination Wide area coordination analysis Protection scheme and settings criteria development Relay settings file development NERC compliance Protection hardware in the loop testing Event analysis Bus, Transmission Line, Motor, Generator, Transformer, Distribution, Capacitor, and Reactor protection Advanced system protection including series compensated lines, single pole tripping, and impacts of IBR on protection systems Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the electrical engineering discipline and function, offering direction, expertise, and support to ensure project and work site deliverables are successfully achieved within the business sector. Perform electrical engineering review of permit applications, engineering design plans and specifications, standby plans and engineering contracts, integrated management plans, and periodic construction inspections, to ensure that they comply with applicable state and/or federal regulations and sound engineering practice and standards. Lead larger‑scale more complex electrical engineering projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees. Responsible for the pursuit and development of business and the successful execution of work for current and potential electrical infrastructure work within a geography specifically for the large projects within the area. Lead technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings. Support the overall long‑term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Electrical Engineering work for WSP in assigned area of responsibility, with a focus on infrastructure opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, and strategic consulting and program/construction management). Responsible for the profitable performance of the individual projects and the successful completion of the projects within the specified area. Assist with the preparation of an annual update to business tactical action plans within the specified area. Meet with various public or private entities or individuals to discuss issues relating to a variety of electrical, engineering, construction challenges and programs. Ensure that engineering discipline certifications, accreditations, and value proposition is developed and continuously improved. Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys to align the engineering discipline’s function with business and project strategy, identifying and addressing any skill gaps or risks within the sector business operations. Schedule engineering discipline meetings, providing updates and recommendations to ensure that all reasonable and proper measures are taken to inculcate discipline expertise and innovation into project work. Serve as one of the engineering discipline’s lead representatives/liaison to a variety of external entities including Federal, State, and Local Agencies, Clients, Subcontractors, industry‑related groups, and various government and community entities. Develop and inform proposal and project scopes, timelines, pricing, and budgetary metrics – and accountable for planning, development and management of projects in compliance with all applicable City/State/Federal codes and regulations, and in accordance with all acceptable engineering practices. Interpret and summarize data, including reports and documents that result in sound engineering and regulatory conclusions. Provide verbal and/or written inputs to multi‑disciplinary project teams and contribute to providing high level strategic advice to clients. Develop a client base for providing high level electrical engineering services including identifying additional business development opportunities, and cross‑selling of other WSP capabilities. Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development. Manage and provide performance guidance and leadership to assigned staff. Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and practices. Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide “trusted advisor” service and future ready solutions for clients. Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures. Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. Who You Are Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. 12+ years of relevant post education experience in electrical engineering and infrastructure design for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale. Engineer license required (multi‑state preferred). Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, standard of care, and the application to permitting and project work‑related issues. Advanced proficiency with infrastructure design. Strong working knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements, and the business impact upon the organization. Advanced proficiency with making technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations. Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid‑level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC. Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization. Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressure work environment. Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, clients, regulators, and company‑wide staff, including those with whom no formal hierarchical relationship exits. Advanced proficiency with office automation, discipline‑specific design software (i.e., CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP, WIN IGS, Inventor, AutoCADD electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools. Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies. Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet business needs. Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements. Preferred Qualifications Master’s Degree in Engineering. Power Systems focused MSEE and/or PhD Protective Relay OEM R&D Experience Electromagnetic transient studies expertise RSCAD/RTDS expertise Active involvement in industry organizations such as IEEE, Cigre, or IEC Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline‑specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi‑project environment is highly desirable. Job Info Job Identification 78105 Posting Date 01/10/2026, 12:06 AM About Us About WSP WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started? WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

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