Lead Electrical Engineer

Koch•Katy, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Optimized Process Designs (OPD), a Koch Engineered Solutions company, is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer. This technical leader will be responsible for the engineering execution of HV/MV power infrastructure and substation projects delivered under lump-sum EPC contracts. This role serves as the technical owner from project concept through energization, driving design decisions that balance safety, reliability, constructability, cost, and schedule while supporting OPD’s commitment to execution excellence. Optimized Process Designs is an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm executing on complex energy and infrastructure projects across North America. Their focus and expertise is in the natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petrochemical industries. OPD is part of the larger Koch organization which provides a variety of capabilities across many industries. OPD is known for technical excellence, disciplined project execution, and a culture that empowers engineers to take ownership and create long-term value.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience
Utility and/or EPC substation engineering experience
Active Professional Engineering (PE) license
Experience in substation physical design and protection & control engineering

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience leading engineering execution on EPC projects or LSTK project experience
Hands-on involvement with construction, testing, and commissioning support
Demonstrated application of power system analysis and modeling tools (e.g., ETAP, PSCAD, SKM) for system design and validation
Experience supporting renewable energy interconnections
Proven mentoring and technical leadership capabilities

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical leader for electrical engineering scope on EPC projects from concept through startup.
Lead engineering decisions that balance safety, reliability, constructability, operability, cost, and schedule objectives.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and designers across multiple disciplines.
Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve complex technical issues and support successful project execution.
Collaborate directly with clients, utilities, vendors, construction teams, and internal stakeholders throughout project development and execution.
Support development, standardization, and continuous improvement of engineering practices, tools, specifications, and work processes.
Support the engineering and design of electrical power systems for industrial facilities, utility interconnections, renewable energy projects, power generation facilities, transmission systems, and high-voltage substations.
Perform and review power system analyses including load flow, short circuit, arc flash, grounding, protection coordination, harmonic, insulation coordination, transient overvoltage, and reliability studies.
Develop and review electrical system deliverables including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, relay logic diagrams, control schematics, and equipment layouts.
Support specification, selection, and application of electrical equipment including transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, breakers, protective relays, power distribution equipment, and associated infrastructure.
Support utility interconnection and grid compliance activities, including coordination with utilities, regional transmission organizations, and independent system operators.
Lead or support the engineering and design of medium- and high-voltage substations and associated electrical infrastructure.
Develop physical design concepts including equipment arrangements, site layouts, elevations, sections, grounding systems, and construction details.
Design and review protection and control systems including transmission line, transformer, bus, breaker failure, feeder, and generator protection schemes.
Apply relay protection principles and support relay settings development utilizing SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens, and similar relay platforms.
Coordinate physical and protection & control engineering activities to ensure designs are complete, integrated, and construction ready.
Develop engineering packages from conceptual design through detailed engineering and Issued for Construction (IFC) deliverables.
Review design packages for compliance with project requirements, industry standards, and quality expectations.
Collaborate closely with project managers, construction, and commissioning teams to support integrated EPC execution.
Lead technical evaluations and define equipment strategies aligned with utility requirements, interconnection constraints, and project execution needs.
Provide ongoing engineering support during construction, testing, and energization phases.
Interface with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, and clients to support interconnection approvals, permitting, and compliance requirements.
Ensure compliance with IEEE, NESC, NEC, and client standards, incorporating utility-specific requirements and interconnection criteria.
Lead quality control reviews and design audits.
Support development and continuous improvement of OPD substation standards, tools, and processes.
Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) where applicable, ensuring design compliance, documentation integrity, and stamped deliverables.