Protection & Control Engineer/Specialist Job Family

Protection & Control Engineer

This position is responsible for the design review, installation, testing, and maintenance of the protection and control systems that safeguard NIPSCO's electric transmission, distribution, and generation infrastructure. Performs P&C system troubleshooting and problem correction. Investigates electric system events and protection operations. Performs startup and commissioning of new T&D equipment. Performs NERC compliance activities. Documents and reviews compliance requirements. Performs fieldwork in an industrial setting with exposure to high voltage, electromagnetic fields, and hazardous materials. Work schedule can include extended hours or overnight stays out of the area. Personnel are subject to 24/7 emergency call out.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews project design drawings and verify field wiring to ensure strict adherence to proper relaying practices and NIPSCO standards.
• Provides engineering support on site and directs various operating and construction personnel to ensure that all substation electrical equipment is installed, tested and operates properly.
• Designs control scheme logic and originate protective relaying schematic diagrams for new substations or renovation projects.
• Performs acceptance, calibration, functional testing and final load checks of protective relays and control schemes for new substations or renovation projects.
• Performs field acceptance testing of new substation equipment (power transformers, high voltage circuit breakers, instrument transformers, voltage regulators, circuit reclosers, capacitor banks, and motor operated switches).
• Performs scheduled inspection and functional test maintenance of protective relays and equipment control systems to ensure continued reliability.
• Maintains, calibrates and repairs the system monitoring equipment (Digital Fault Recorders and Sequential Event Recorders) located at critical transmission substations.
• Maintains, calibrates and repairs the electronic controls used in voltage regulating, power factor correction and circuit recloser equipment.
• Provides technical assistance and engineering services to various departments within the company and to industrial and commercial customers.
• Documents all equipment test data and maintain the most current version of substation electrical prints.
• Provides the field-testing of the recommended grid installation to ensure adherence to design parameters.
• Conducts substation power transformer loading and voltage surveys and maintains system distribution voltage levels in proper adjustment.
• Provides training, assistance, and sets positive example for level 1 and 2 field engineers.
• Respond anytime, day or night, to investigate and provide solutions to field problems with protective relaying control schemes or other substation equipment.
• Must be able to carry test equipment up to 60 Ibs.

Qualifications

This role is part of the Protection & Control Engineer job family and may be filled at Associate Engineer, Engineer 1, Engineer 2, Engineer 3 or Senior Engineer level. The successful candidate will be selected at a level commensurate with education, experience, and demonstrated competencies.

Associate Engineer or Engineer 1

• Graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• Less than 1 year of experience for Associate Engineer & 1+ years of relevant job experience for Engineer 1
• Knowledge of Electric Engineering
• Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft 365 skills
• Understanding of basic engineering/technical theories and principles.
• Understanding of basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Ability to read/interpret drawings/standards to analyze/solve problems
• Ability to deal with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to perform duties under close supervision
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Valid Driver's License

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of basic principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry

Engineer 2

• 2+ years of Protection & control experience and a graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• All the qualifications for Engineer 1 including:
• Increased understanding of basic engineering/technical theories and principles.
• Increased understanding of basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Ability to analyze troubleshoot protection & control schemes under limited supervision
• Ability to execute moderate capital projects with limited supervision, which includes the ability to provide on-site technical support and direction of field personnel to ensure that all substation and line electrical equipment and P&C systems are installed, tested and operated properly.
• Ability to perform scheduled maintenance of P&C systems to ensure reliability and compliance with NERC requirements with limited supervision.
• Specific ability to use engineering PC applications (AutoCAD, AcSELerator QuickSet & RTAC, RTS, PowerBase).

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of basic principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry

Engineer 3

• 4+ years of Protection & control experience and a graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• All the qualifications for Engineer 2 including:
• Proficient in written and oral communication skills
• Ability to train level 1 & Level 2 engineers
• Proficient in dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Proficient in engineering/technical theories and principles
• Proficient understanding in protection & control principles
• Proficient ability to analyze and troubleshoot P&C schemes independently
• Ability to analyze system events and provide summary reports to operational teams
• Ability to devise and apply specific test procedures related to protective relay control systems
• Proficient in basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Ability to work with customers or contractors on major projects and explain complex technical issues
• Ability to complete complex P&C system modernizations & capital projects independently
• Ability to operate complex electrical test equipment and accurately interpret results
• Ability to perform P&C scoping for basic capital improvement projects
• Specific ability to use engineering PC applications (AutoCAD, SEL AcSELerator, RTS, PowerBase)

Desired Qualifications

• Proficient in principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry

Senior Engineer

• 7+ years of protection & control experience and a graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• All the qualifications for Engineer 3 including:
• Skilled in written and oral communication skills
• Skilled in engineering/technical theories and principles
• Skilled in basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Skilled in dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to perform duties with increased latitude for un-reviewed work
• Ability to design complex protection & control schemes for new substations or renovation projects. Performs detailed drawings reviews to ensure strict adherence to NIPSCO P&S standards. Provides guidance and support to external design firms.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership
• Skilled in principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• PE Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry
• Ability to perform PC