Senior Engineer - Protection & Control

Iberdrola•Orange, CT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Engineer – Protection and Control Substation Standards serve as a technical leader in the development and governance of AVANGRID’s substation protection and control engineering standards. This role is pivotal in shaping the reliability, safety, and modernization of the electric grid by establishing consistent design practices and integrating advanced technologies. Working under general direction, the engineer will lead efforts to create and maintain engineering and construction specifications, design libraries, and System Protection Requirements (SPRs) that support capital projects, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance. The position requires a deep understanding of protective relaying, substation automation, and digital communication protocols, as well as the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical engineering solutions. The Senior Engineer will collaborate across departments—including substation engineering, operations, project management, IT, and cybersecurity—to ensure standards are aligned with business goals and industry best practices. The role also involves mentoring junior engineers, participating in industry forums, and contributing to strategic initiatives such as grid modernization, digital substations, and resiliency planning. This position offers the opportunity to influence the future of AVANGRID’s transmission and distribution infrastructure by driving innovation, enhancing system performance, and ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to customers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (BSEE) from an ABET-accredited institution.
Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in substation protection and control.
Proficiency in designing and analyzing protection schemes for transmission and distribution systems.
Strong understanding of protective relaying principles including differential, distance, and overcurrent protection.
Experience with engineering software such as ASPEN OneLiner, CAPE, or ETAP for fault analysis and relay coordination.
Familiarity with IEC 61850 protocols, including GOOSE messaging and substation automation systems.
Knowledge of SCADA systems, RTUs, IEDs, and communication protocols like DNP3.
Ability to interpret and apply industry standards such as IEEE, ANSI, and NERC reliability requirements.
Skilled in preparing and maintaining technical documentation, engineering standards, and design templates.
Experience with AutoCAD or similar tools for protection and control drawings.
Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced utility environment.
Commitment to safety, reliability, and continuous improvement in engineering practices.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Demonstrated ability to manage tasks independently, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
Interest in continuous learning, professional development, and contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level engineering degree or specialized advanced training preferred.
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or active pursuit of Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
Additional coursework or certification in Power Systems, Project Management, or Grid Modernization is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and design templates for substation protection and control systems.
Design relay one-lines, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and system protection requirements (SPRs).
Collaborate with internal teams including substation engineering, operations, and project management to ensure consistent application of standards.
Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to improve system reliability and performance.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards including NERC, IEEE, ANSI, and company-specific requirements.
Support the design and implementation of advanced protection schemes and digital substation concepts (IEC 61850).
Provide technical oversight during pilot project planning, execution, and commissioning.
Lead technical reviews of protection and control designs submitted by internal teams or external consultants.
Participate in root cause analysis and troubleshooting of protection system misoperations or failures.
Represent the company in industry working groups, technical committees, and standardization bodies.
Develop training materials and conduct technical workshops for internal engineering and field personnel.
Contribute to strategic planning initiatives related to grid modernization, resiliency, and automation.
Support procurement by developing technical specifications and evaluating vendor proposals for protection and control equipment.
Coordinate with IT and cybersecurity teams to ensure secure integration of digital protection systems.
Assist in the development of capital project scopes and budgets related to protection and control upgrades.
Monitor and report on industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks affecting substation protection systems.
Mentor junior engineers and support knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain version control and documentation of standards across multiple platforms.
Communicate effectively across disciplines to align engineering practices with strategic business goals.