Lead Engineer - Protection & Control

Iberdrola•Orange, CT

2d•$128,320 - $160,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Engineer – Protection & Control is responsible for electric system protection technology platforms serving Maine and New York operating companies. The role establishes standards, provides training and communication, and consults with and guides project engineers on protection engineering for electric transmission and substation projects to support system reliability and safety. The systems described include approximately 8,200 miles of transmission lines and 965 substations across Maine and New York. The position guides engineering studies to evaluate equipment, system effectiveness, and protection-system operations; leads technical training and development for the Protection Engineering group across AVANGRID; evaluates and implements advanced technology to improve reliability and efficiency; and ensures that protection standards and designs meet applicable company, local, state, and national codes and standards. The role liaises across operating companies, global affiliates, departments, and outside organizations, and contributes to the development of system protection strategy. As the primary protection engineering expert within the U.S. organization, the Lead Engineer provides consultation on complex technical issues and emerging technological, regulatory, or political matters. The position influences and guides engineers, provides technical leadership on complex projects, mentors and develops the team, works with contractors, and operates independently with little supervision. The role is office-based in Orange, Connecticut, five days per week on-site. Employees may be assigned system-emergency duties outside their regular schedules and job duties.

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.
Theoretical engineering knowledge covering planning, operations, engineering design, analysis, modeling, and calculations, as well as an understanding of the business model and the value of cross-functional collaboration.
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 present and defend them to stakeholders.
Ability to document and interpret engineering documentation adequately.
Ability to review and approve others’ engineering work for compliance with company standards, specifications, and contract requirements.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory standards and requirements.
Ability to influence and guide engineers, lead complex projects, mentor and develop colleagues, collaborate across departments, and direct contractors.
Ability to work independently with little supervision.
Independent decision-making capability and a self-directed approach.
Strong diagnostic, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Expertise in complex protection coordination analysis and all aspects of power engineering theory, application, standards, design, testing, commissioning, and analysis.
Project management skills and awareness of commercial considerations, including cost estimating, budgeting, and least-cost planning.
Demonstrated safety leadership and adherence to safety regulations in process and procedure development.
Behavioral competencies: develop self and others; empower to grow; collaborate and share; be a role model; focus to achieve results; and be agile.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Professional engineering license.

Responsibilities

Guide engineering design, estimating, and analysis for electric transmission and substation protection systems in support of capital construction budgets and system-performance improvements.
Oversee protection-system platforms, including settings, testing, and commissioning developed internally or by contractors and consultants.
Develop AVANGRID’s system protection platform and coordinate it 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, and efficiency, and implement technology that improves power-system performance.
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-event operations to determine whether protection schemes operated as intended, and ensure clear fault-analysis reports describing corrective actions and lessons learned when needed.
Represent the company on regional and national committees.
Lead and guide the technical development of the Protection Engineering group.
Provide consultation on complex problems and emerging technological, regulatory, or political issues across the U.S. organization.
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.
Liaise with and direct contractors regarding company policies, standards, and best practices.