Substation Protection & Control Engineer -- Mid-Level

Job Description

Position Overview

Equagen is seeking a mid-level Substation Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer to develop engineering deliverables for utility, renewable energy, battery storage, and industrial substation projects.

The successful candidate will take ownership of assigned design packages, resolve routine engineering issues, and coordinate with other disciplines under the technical direction of a Senior or Lead P&C Engineer. This role offers exposure to the complete project lifecycle, from initial design through panel fabrication, testing, and field installation.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering and Design

• Translate project requirements and utility standards into coordinated P&C design packages.
• Develop protection one-lines, three-lines, AC/DC schematics, relay logic diagrams, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and cable schedules.
• Design protection and control circuits for transformers, transmission lines, buses, feeders, and circuit breakers.
• Prepare equipment specifications and bills of material; evaluate vendor drawings for compliance with the design.
• Perform supporting calculations, including CT performance and burden, DC circuit voltage drop, battery capacity, and charger sizing.
• Review existing drawings for brownfield projects and identify required modifications, interface points, and missing information.

Protection, Automation, and Testing

• Support protective relay settings development, logic configuration, and settings documentation under senior engineering guidance.
• Coordinate relay interfaces with SCADA, RTUs, communications equipment, and station control systems.
• Assist with test procedures and investigate discrepancies identified during factory and field testing.
• Support panel fabrication by answering technical questions and incorporating approved design changes.
• Review test markups and field changes to prepare accurate record drawings.

Project Coordination and Quality

• Coordinate interfaces with physical, studies, manufacturing, and commissioning teams.
• Track assigned deliverables, communicate progress, and identify schedule risks or scope changes early.
• Perform documented self-checks and address review comments before drawings are issued.
• Participate in client meetings and technical discussions as needed.
• Provide technical direction to assigned designers and drafters.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent.
• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant substation P&C engineering experience, including work on U.S. projects.
• Ability to develop coordinated schematics and wiring drawings with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Understanding of protective relaying principles, instrument transformers, breaker control, interlocking, and station DC systems.
• Familiarity with applicable utility standards and industry requirements.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or MicroStation.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for site visits, testing, and project support.

Preferred Qualifications

• EIT certification or progress toward PE licensure.
• Experience with SEL relays, AcSELerator QuickSet, and relay logic.
• Exposure to transformer differential, line differential, distance, bus differential, and breaker failure protection.
• Familiarity with SEL RTAC, DNP3, Modbus, or IEC 61850.
• Experience with brownfield modifications, panel fabrication, or commissioning.
• Exposure to protection coordination software such as ASPEN OneLiner or CAPE.

Benefits and Professional Development

Equagen offers competitive compensation, health and retirement benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Engineers gain practical experience through collaboration with our design, manufacturing, and commissioning teams.