Lead Protection Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

We have a Lead Protection Engineer opportunity available in Nashville, TN. The Lead Engineer performs relay setting calculations and coordination studies with full technical autonomy, working independently and capable of directing the technical work of others on assigned projects. Event analysis is a Lead Engineer function; this role owns the majority of that work directly and coordinates support from other engineers as needed.

Within the group, the Lead Engineer serves as the primary technical resource within assigned projects, escalating issues to the Principal when warranted. The Lead Engineer is responsible for leading and performing technical work on projects as assigned by the PAC Engineering Manager. The Lead Engineer is also responsible for communicating proactively if a project schedule is unclear, unrealistic, or at risk, ensuring any concerns are communicated proactively.

Major Responsibilities  This position requires the Lead Protection Engineer to provide relay settings, event analysis, system studies services, and engineering consulting services to electric utility companies. System scope encompasses Transmission, Generation, and Distribution systems. Responsibilities include:

• Drawing Review – Evaluation of specification and engineering drawings to understand the purpose and functionality of substations, generation facilities, or distribution feeders.
• Event Analysis – Provide comprehensive reporting on analysis findings and recommendations for mis-operation mitigation
• Design Review – Provide redline markups for protection and control drawings as necessary pertaining to protection systems
• Leadership of projects and direction of subordinate engineers assigned to such projects
• Performance of compliance related work as assigned by principal engineer
• Development and continuous preservation of strong working relationships with customers by demonstrating an awareness of customer needs, preferences, timeliness, and financial obligations of clients
• Management of resources and capabilities required to deliver protection, automation, and control (PAC) engineering services
• Demonstrating a safety consciousness mindset in unique situations encountered at diverse work sites
• Assisting in the development of estimates for client proposals

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Knowledge of calculating settings for electromechanical, solid state, and microprocessor protection devices from industry platforms, including, but not limited to: GE, SEL, ALSTOM, SCHNEIDER, SIEMENS, Beckwith, Basler, Eaton, and ABB
• Ability to write code for macros or scripts that aid in performing studies or calculating relay settings
• Ability to understand AC and DC elementary diagrams, wiring diagrams, and one-line drawings for the purpose of understanding system operation and developing settings
• Proficiency in developing standard settings templates and procedures
• Organizational skills to maintain all project documentation including customer deliverables.
• Technical leadership aptitude for projects and to guide lower-level engineers/technicians
• Technical breadth to support commissioning projects for the Field Engineering Services Department
• Motivation to attend PSRC and relevant protection conferences and seminars as schedule permits
• 7+ years of experience with power system study software, which may include CAPE, CYME, ASPEN, ETAP, Synergy, and others
• 5+ years of fault analysis, postmortem analysis, and/or mis-operation mitigation efforts

Job Requirements

Education A Bachelor’s degree electrical engineering is required from an ABET accredited institution. Alternatively, 20+ years in a role directly interfacing with protective relaying, settings, logic, and studies may be acceptable.

Experience 7-10 years with capabilities in below areas preferred:

• In-depth understanding of three-phase power systems
• In-depth understanding of protection and control schemes, including implementation and study-level
• In-depth experience setting and analyzing electromechanical, solid state, and microprocessor protection devices
• In-depth experience with power quality measurements and analysis
• Experience leading a team of protection engineers
• Experience with study software and analysis of waveforms and sequence of event reports
• Experience programming remote terminal units (RTUs) and other auxiliary interfacing equipment
• Experience with SCADA and other energy management system (EMS) software
• Experience with AutoCAD
• Ability to travel up to 10-20%
• Possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s license 

Physical Demands of Position  Seeing, color perception, hearing, listening, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, pushing, and pulling, warm and cold temperature conditions, sun exposure, moisture, potential exposure to hazardous materials and electrical voltages.

Working Conditions  Mostly an office position. However, should travel to a site be requested, on site environment could require work in various temperature conditions; in and/or around moisture, on slippery and/or uneven surfaces, in confined spaces, and at heights; will require frequent standing, driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and occasional bending, squatting, climbing, twisting, balancing, and reaching; will have exposure to noise, vibrations and chemicals. May require irregular or extended hours, subject to being on call and travel for project completion.

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job.  They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical • Dental • Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D • Long Term Disability • Voluntary Short Term Disability • Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Program • 401(k)/Profit Sharing • 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) • Employee Assistance Program • Will Preparation Resources • Worldwide Travel Assistance