Distribution Protection Supervisor

Leidos•Framingham, MA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Looking for an opportunity to lead and make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative energy solutions through the expertise of our people. We are seeking a Distribution Protection Supervisor to support and lead our growing Distribution System Protection and Automation portfolio. This role bridges hands-on technical excellence with team leadership, client engagement, and project execution. The Distribution Protection Supervisor will oversee technical delivery, mentor engineers, and collaborate closely with utility clients across distribution protection, automation, and reliability programs. Hybrid or Remote support types available: Candidates are able to support remotely but must be able to relocate to or currently live within the United States. Hybrid Schedule: (2-4 days a week in the Framingham, MA office) Must also be willing to travel to customer sites and in office / testing lab as needed Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career, share your resume with us today! In this role, you can also expect to gain: Leadership experience managing and mentoring distribution protection engineers Exposure to utility reliability programs (SAIDI / SAIFI / CAIDI improvement initiatives) Direct client interaction and technical ownership of protection philosophies Experience supporting system automation, FLISR, and DER integration efforts Growth path toward Engineering Manager or Technical Lead roles The Challenge: Supervise and provide technical leadership to a team of distribution protection engineers Review and approve relay and recloser settings packages for distribution systems (4.16 kV through 34.5 kV) Lead protection coordination studies for feeders, reclosers, fuses, capacitor banks, and distribution substations Guide the development of standardized protection templates and coordination philosophies Support deployment of automation devices including reclosers, TripSaver®, and sectionalizing equipment Collaborate with planning, design, SCADA, and field engineering teams to ensure correct device application Interface directly with utility clients to review protection strategies, study results, and recommendations Ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with client standards and NERC / NESC requirements Provide technical mentorship and training to junior engineers Support project planning, execution, and construction support activities Assist with proposal development, scope definition, and technical estimates when required

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with eight (8+) years of experience in distribution protection engineering, coordination, and utility consulting
Proven experience leading technical teams performing distribution fault studies and developing relay and recloser settings
Strong background in distribution protection coordination for feeders, reclosers, fuses, capacitor banks, and sectionalizing devices
Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale recloser deployment programs, including development of standardized and templatized protection settings
Expertise supporting distribution automation and reliability initiatives, including normally-open feeder ties, sectionalization, and restoration schemes
Experience evaluating feeder protection performance with respect to SAIDI and CAIDI reliability metrics
Proficiency performing fault current, coordination, load flow, and protection studies for distribution systems at 4.16 kV, 12 kV, 24 kV, and 34.5 kV
Experience applying distribution planning concepts to protection and automation decisions, including: - Load flow and voltage profile evaluation, Feeder capacity and loading considerations, Identification of optimal recloser and sectionalizing device locations, Customer density, critical load, and reliability impact assessment
Ability to evaluate recloser placement and feeder segmentation based on fault exposure, load distribution, voltage performance, and restoration benefits
Experience assessing distributed generation impacts on distribution fault levels, voltage regulation, and feeder coordination
Ability to ensure proper coordination between distribution feeder protection and upstream transmission transformer and bus protection elements
Hands-on experience developing and implementing protection settings for SEL microprocessor relays, including SEL-351S feeder protection relays and SEL-651R recloser controls, along with configuration and coordination of NOVA and Cooper / Eaton distribution reclosers.
Experience supporting and implementing FLISR (Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration) switching logic and automation schemes
Proficiency with industry-standard analysis and modeling tools, including, CYME Distribution: - Milsoft WindMil, ASPEN OneLiner, ETAP, AcSELerator QuickSet, ArcGIS and GIS-based modeling tools, PSS®E for power flow, short-circuit, and planning studies
Working knowledge of distribution line design considerations and their impact on protection and planning, including feeder topology, conductor selection, sectionalization strategies, etc.
Experience coordinating protection requirements with distribution physical design and line rebuild projects
Experience reviewing and interpreting protection and control schematics, wiring diagrams, and automation drawings
Familiarity with SCADA and RTU systems, including review of substation and feeder drawings for compliance with utility standards
Experience supporting arc flash studies using IEEE and NESC methodologies
Strong understanding of NERC reliability standards, interconnection studies, and utility planning practices
Demonstrated ability to train and mentor junior engineers in protection philosophy, coordination practices, and system-level thinking
Strong technical communication skills for client-facing study results, recommendations, and design documentation
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality standards in fast-paced environments

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising small technical teams or acting as a technical lead
Knowledge of Transmission Protection philosophies.
Utility or power consulting background
Experience with SCADA, RTU, or distribution communications interfaces
Familiarity with IEC 61850, DNP3, or distribution automation architectures
Experience preparing technical reports or utility recommendations
Exposure to reliability metrics and feeder performance analysis

Responsibilities

Supervise and provide technical leadership to a team of distribution protection engineers
Review and approve relay and recloser settings packages for distribution systems (4.16 kV through 34.5 kV)
Lead protection coordination studies for feeders, reclosers, fuses, capacitor banks, and distribution substations
Guide the development of standardized protection templates and coordination philosophies
Support deployment of automation devices including reclosers, TripSaver®, and sectionalizing equipment
Collaborate with planning, design, SCADA, and field engineering teams to ensure correct device application
Interface directly with utility clients to review protection strategies, study results, and recommendations
Ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with client standards and NERC / NESC requirements
Provide technical mentorship and training to junior engineers
Support project planning, execution, and construction support activities
Assist with proposal development, scope definition, and technical estimates when required