Lead Engineer - Protection & Control

Iberdrola•Binghamton, NY

1d•$116,640 - $145,800•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for electric system protection technology platforms across Avangrid’s Maine and New York operating companies, including standards, training, and communication. The role consults with and guides project engineers on protection engineering for electric transmission and substation projects to support system reliability and safety, and guides engineering studies evaluating equipment, system effectiveness, and protection system operations. It leads technical training and development for the Protection Engineering group, evaluates and implements advanced technology platforms, ensures standards and designs comply with applicable company, local, state, and national codes and standards, and contributes to system protection strategy. The position serves as a liaison across operating companies, global affiliates, departments, outside groups, and agencies. The position provides the primary protection engineering expertise within the U.S. organization, consulting on complex technical matters and emerging technological, regulatory, or political issues. It provides technical leadership on complex projects, influences and guides department engineers, mentors and develops team members, directs contractors on company policy and standards, and works independently with little supervision. The role is office-based in Rochester, Lancaster, or Binghamton, New York. Occasional travel, after-hours project-related work, and on-call support may be required. Employees may also be assigned system-emergency duties outside their regular schedule and NERC Reliability Standards compliance responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology.
At least 7 years of technical experience in protection engineering or a related field.
Expert knowledge of engineering and design, national and international standards, and compliance requirements associated with power-system protection.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory standards and requirements.
Ability to document and interpret engineering documentation.
Ability to review and approve others’ engineering work for compliance with company standards, specifications, and contract requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to travel occasionally, perform after-hours project-related work, and provide on-call support as needed.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Professional engineering license.
Independent decision-making capability and a self-directed approach.
Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills for complex technical and analytical problems.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain highly technical concepts.
Leadership skills to drive change and adoption of new technologies across operating companies and international affiliates.
Expertise in complex protection coordination analysis.
Project management skills.
Awareness and application of commercial considerations, including cost estimating, budgeting, and least-cost planning.
Safety leadership through adherence to safety regulations in processes and procedures.
Expertise in power engineering theory, application, standards, design, testing, commissioning, and analysis.
Theoretical engineering knowledge in planning, operations, engineering design, analysis, modeling, calculation, and business understanding.
Practical engineering experience in planning, operations, engineering design, and construction, including field experience and standardization.
Ability to perform economic analyses of engineering alternatives, develop business cases, and present them to stakeholders.
Global business perspective, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to build organizational knowledge and relationships.
Ability to influence and guide department engineers, lead complex projects, mentor and develop team members, collaborate across departments, direct contractors, and work independently with little supervision.
Behavioral competencies: develop self and others; empower to grow; collaborate and share; be a role model; focus to achieve results; be agile.

Responsibilities

Guide engineering design, estimating, and analysis for electric transmission and substation protection systems in support of capital construction budgets and system-performance improvements.
Manage protection system platforms, including settings, testing, and commissioning performed internally or by contractors and consultants.
Develop the Avangrid system protection platform and coordinate with global affiliates, including integration, settings, networking, engineering criteria, construction standards, design and equipment specifications, integration schemes, automation configurations, commissioning plans, and supplier and contractor requirements.
Oversee evaluation and demonstration of new technology for safety, cost, efficiency, and power-system performance improvements.
Oversee engineering studies evaluating equipment and protection-system performance and effectiveness, and analyze operational issues to support reliability and operational efficiency.
Develop and validate information for engineering analyses and apply engineering judgment to solve complex technical problems.
Guide analysis of transmission fault events to confirm protection schemes operated as intended, and ensure clear reports to management describing corrective actions and lessons learned when needed.
Represent the company on regional and national committees.
Lead and guide technical development of the Protection Engineering group.
Provide consultation as the primary U.S. protection engineering expert on complex problems and emerging technological, regulatory, or political issues.
Collaborate across operating companies, global affiliates, departments, and external organizations.
Influence and guide department engineers; provide technical leadership on complex, high-impact projects; and mentor and support team members’ technical development.
Direct contractors regarding company policy, standards, and best practices.
Review and approve engineering work to ensure compliance with company standards, specifications, and contract requirements.