Lead Engineer - Protection & Control

Iberdrola•Rochester, NY

1d•$116,640 - $145,800•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Engineer is 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 transmission and substation protection engineering to support system reliability and safety; guides studies of equipment, system effectiveness, and protection operations; and leads technical training and development for the Protection Engineering group. The position also evaluates and implements advanced technology to improve reliability and efficiency, ensures protection standards and designs comply with applicable company, local, state, and national codes and standards, liaises with operating companies, global affiliates, departments, outside groups, and agencies, and contributes to system protection strategy. The systems covered include approximately 8,200 miles of transmission lines and 965 substations across Maine and New York. As the primary protection engineering expert in the U.S. organization, this role provides consultation on complex technical matters and emerging technological, regulatory, or political issues. It influences and guides department engineers, leads complex projects with broad departmental impact, mentors team members, directs contractors on company policies and standards, and works independently with little supervision.

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 theoretical engineering, including planning, operations, engineering design, analysis, modeling, calculations, and the business model.
Practical engineering experience in planning, operations, engineering design, and construction, such as field experience and standardization.
Ability to perform economic analyses of engineering alternatives, develop business cases, and defend them before stakeholders.
Ability to adequately document and interpret engineering documentation.
Ability to review and approve engineering work performed by others for compliance with company standards, specifications, and contract requirements.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory standards and requirements.
Ability to collaborate across departments.
Ability to work independently with little supervision.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Professional engineering license.
Independent decision-making capability and self-direction.
Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills for complex technical and analytical problems.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills 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 example and adherence to safety regulations in process and procedure development.
Expertise in power engineering theory, application, standards, design, testing, commissioning, and analysis.

Responsibilities

Guide engineering design, estimating, and analysis of 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 AVANGRID’s system protection platform and coordinate it with global affiliates, covering 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, and efficiency, and implement technology to improve power system performance.
Oversee engineering studies evaluating equipment and protection-system performance and effectiveness; 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-event operations to verify protection schemes operated as intended; ensure clear fault-analysis reports communicate corrective actions and lessons learned to management when needed.
Represent the company on regional and national committees.
Lead and guide the technical development of the Protection Engineering group.
Provide consultation on diverse and highly complex problems and emerging technology, regulatory, or political issues across the U.S. organization.
Collaborate across operating companies, global affiliates, internal departments, and external organizations.
Influence and guide department engineers and provide technical leadership on complex projects with broad departmental impact.
Mentor, develop, and support team members’ technical skills.
Liaise with and direct contractors regarding company policies, standards, and best practices.
Work independently with little supervision.