Senior Substation Design Engineer

Springfield, Oregon engineering firm specializing in electrical engineering services for industrial and power generation clients has an immediate opening for a Senior Substation Design Engineer. This is a full-time, professional position leading the design of customer-owned substations serving industrial and independent power generation facilities.

Base salary, plus annual bonuses, 401(k) with up to a 5% employer match, profit sharing, paid time off, 100% employer-paid medical, dental and long-term disability insurance, 50%+ employer-paid dependent insurance coverage, and more!

Company specializes in the analysis, design, installation and maintenance of electrical power systems up to 230 kV. Our work includes:

Design Services

• Substation Physical Design (up to 230 kV) - general arrangement, bus configuration, structure and foundation coordination, grounding grid and lightning protection
• Substation Protection and Control Design - relay panels, schematics, wiring diagrams and AC/DC auxiliary systems
• Protective Relaying System Design, Coordination Studies and Relay Settings
• SCADA, Substation Automation and Communications Design and Integration
• Power System Studies - short circuit, load flow, coordination, arc flash and grounding

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead engineer for substation design projects, from conceptual layout and one-line development through issued-for-construction drawings and field support.
• Develop substation physical designs including general arrangement and section drawings, bus configurations, equipment layout, clearances and rigid/strain bus sizing.
• Perform substation grounding grid design and analysis, including step and touch potential evaluation, along with direct stroke lightning protection and shielding design.
• Specify and evaluate high-voltage equipment: power and station service transformers, GSUs, circuit breakers, switchgear, disconnect and motor-operated switches, surge arresters, CTs and PTs, capacitor banks and reactors.
• Design substation protection and control packages including relay panel layouts, three-line and AC/DC schematics, wiring and interconnection diagrams, control building layouts, and station battery and charger sizing.
• Prepare and check protective relay coordination studies and relay settings for transmission, distribution, generation and industrial applications.
• Perform and review power system studies - short circuit, load flow, device coordination, arc flash and transient/stability analysis.
• Coordinate substation designs with civil/structural, communications and SCADA disciplines, and with interconnecting utility requirements and client specifications.
• Prepare and develop designs, calculations, sketches, diagrams, schematic drawings and final working drawings.
• Generate required documentation including material lists, equipment and construction specifications, and functional specifications (FS) to meet project requirements.
• Provide engineering support during construction, commissioning and energization to ensure installation and operational testing conform to functional specifications and requirements.
• Perform design, development and quality control activities, including design review and checking of work produced by other engineers and designers.
• Support sales/estimators with specification reviews, bid preparation and responses to RFPs and RFQs.
• Support the project management process by walking jobs, communicating with clients regarding change orders and working with the Superintendent regarding job-specific staffing needs.
• Assist in the training and mentorship of junior-level engineers, designers and other staff members.
• Work with the Purchasing Department to become familiar with organization and/or customer preferred parts and suppliers, and support long-lead equipment procurement.
• Follow and support the company's safety and quality control programs and procedures.
• Perform other tasks, projects and assignments as required by the position.

Requirements

• B.S.E.E. with an emphasis in electrical power systems from an accredited program.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (Electrical).
• At least ten years of practical, senior-level, on-the-job electrical engineering experience, with a majority in substation design.
• Proven substation physical design experience including bus configurations, equipment layout and clearances, structural and foundation coordination.
• Substation grounding grid design and analysis, including step and touch potential evaluation.
• High-voltage equipment knowledge including power transformers, GSUs, circuit breakers, switchgear, disconnect switches, surge arresters, and CTs/PTs.
• Substation protection and control experience: relay coordination studies, protective relay settings, schematic and wiring diagram development, and station AC/DC auxiliary systems.
• Working knowledge of transmission and distribution voltage classes through 230 kV.
• Standards fluency: IEEE, NESC, NEC and interconnecting utility design standards.
• Familiarity with IEC 61850, DNP3 or similar substation automation and communication protocols.
• Experience with CADD/BIM design software, power system analysis software and Excel.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, accurate and professional manner, both in written and verbal format, and to represent the organization in terms of project management, customer service and leadership.
• Proven, successful leadership/management experience.
• Ability to work in the US, a valid driver's license with a good driving record, a strong desire to work in the Willamette Valley, and the ability to pass a criminal background check.
• The successful candidate must have a strong interest in power system design and analysis, good verbal communication skills and strong writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing customer-owned substations for independent power generation facilities, including generator interconnection requirements.
• Experience with industrial substations serving mills, plants and process facilities.
• Advanced power system studies: short circuit, load flow, arc flash, transient and stability analysis.
• SCADA and substation automation integration, RTU/gateway configuration and point mapping.
• Experience with NERC compliance and interconnection agreements.
• Field commissioning, testing and energization support experience.