Protection and Controls Senior Project Engineer

KCI Technologies Inc.•Nashville, TN

About The Position

As a Protection and Controls Senior Project Engineer within KCI’s Substation practice, you will oversee the successful execution of protection and control engineering projects associated with utility substations, transmission, distribution, and power delivery infrastructure. The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for supporting technical quality, coordination, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction throughout project execution. This role provides technical leadership in the development and review of protection and control designs, relay schemes, substation automation systems, and multidisciplinary coordination efforts while supporting evolving market needs associated with grid modernization, DER integration, resiliency, interconnection infrastructure, behind-the-meter power solutions, renewable energy integration, and power infrastructure supporting large industrial and data center developments. The Senior Project Engineer works closely with Project Managers, clients, utility stakeholders, and internal engineering teams to support successful project delivery.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of protection and control engineering principles associated with utility substations, transmission, distribution, and power delivery infrastructure.
Experience in the design, development, and coordination of protection and control systems including relay settings, one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and cable schedules.
Proficiency in protection philosophies, relay coordination, fault analysis, and system protection schemes for transmission and distribution substations.
Experience supporting greenfield and brownfield substation projects, including system upgrades, expansions, modernization, and equipment replacement initiatives.
Knowledge of microprocessor-based relays, SCADA integration, RTU configuration, communication protocols, and substation automation systems.
Familiarity with utility standards, NERC/FERC requirements, IEEE standards, and applicable industry codes associated with substation and power delivery projects.
Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams including structural, civil, transmission, telecommunications, and physical substation design disciplines.
Ability to support field activities including commissioning, relay testing coordination, construction support, outage planning, troubleshooting, and startup activities.
Understanding of interconnection requirements, DER integration, grid modernization initiatives, resiliency strategies, and evolving utility infrastructure needs.
Strong technical writing, communication, and client coordination skills with the ability to support proposals, technical presentations, project planning, and engineering documentation.
Ability to mentor junior engineering staff, provide technical guidance, and support quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives within the protection and controls practice.
Proficiency with industry-standard engineering and relay software platforms commonly utilized for protection studies, relay settings development, and substation design coordination.
Bachelor’s Degree in related field (AEC Industry)
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
Proven experience in planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling and monitoring engineering projects.
Proven experience in project management roles, with a track record of successful project delivery.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to construction management, quality assurance, and safety protocols.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting projects associated with renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems (BESS), behind-the-meter power solutions, and data center power infrastructure is preferred.
Master’s Degree

Responsibilities

Oversee the successful execution of protection and control engineering projects associated with utility substations, transmission, distribution, and power delivery infrastructure.
Support technical quality, coordination, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction throughout project execution.
Provide technical leadership in the development and review of protection and control designs, relay schemes, substation automation systems, and multidisciplinary coordination efforts.
Support evolving market needs associated with grid modernization, DER integration, resiliency, interconnection infrastructure, behind-the-meter power solutions, renewable energy integration, and power infrastructure supporting large industrial and data center developments.
Work closely with Project Managers, clients, utility stakeholders, and internal engineering teams to support successful project delivery.
Plan, develop, coordinate and direct large projects or engineering programs.
Supervise subordinate supervisors or team leaders.
Conduct research in problem areas of scope and complexity.
Serve as a staff specialist, applying advanced theories and concepts.
Assist in proposals, negotiations, and presentations.
Collaborate with internal departments for client relationship development.
Manage work routines and assign job activities.
Attend project team meetings.
Provide task performance reports.
Coordinate with other practices and sub-consultants.
Provide technical oversight and guidance.
Serve as task manager of select projects.
Mentor and train staff.
Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.
Ensure projects comply with ISO standards.
Conduct employee performance appraisals, when applicable.
Develop professional relationships through active participation in industry associations and community involvement.
Identify and assist in attracting talent to KCI.
Complete all tasks on time and within budget while fully meeting project scope.
Operate within specified (corporate or project) budget parameters.
Assist with receivables management.
Work with the Project Manager to actively manage project budgets.
Achieve or exceed budgets individual utilization targets.
Conduct site visits and gather data.
Prepare design calculations, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.
Review and approve shop drawings.
Compare field data to base plan.
Prepare preliminary concept designs.
Read and interpret technical documents.