Senior Power Controls & Grid Planning Engineer

Sargent & Lundy • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Sargent & Lundy Consulting supports clients on electric power projects by evaluating and optimizing their technical, commercial, environmental, and financial aspects. This engineer will support Owner’s Engineer and design teams working on large, isolated power systems that integrate generation technologies such as gas turbines, reciprocating engines, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar PV with large dynamic electrical loads.

The role provides independent technical oversight of plant control philosophies, ensuring that OEM, EPC, and system-integrator designs deliver stable, resilient, and compliant performance in steady-state, transient, and islanded operating conditions. The engineer will review and challenge dynamic studies, control narratives, plant-controller strategies, and protection philosophies, rather than directly performing detailed PSS®E or PSCAD modeling. Key integration areas include gas-turbine controls, BESS energy-management and plant-controller systems, SCADA, frequency response, voltage control, inertia management, black start, load rejection, and large motor or data-center step loads.

The position involves engineering design reviews, technical due diligence, project development support, and conceptual design. It calls for cross-disciplinary leadership, risk identification, and the ability to communicate complex control interactions as clear recommendations to owners and lenders. Particular experience in electrical design of thermal power projects is desired. The role is based on a hybrid schedule requiring three days per week in the office, with travel opportunities in the United States and internationally.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 12 or more years of experience in power generation controls, grid integration, or utility-scale plant systems.
• Demonstrated experience with islanded or isolated grids.
• Strong understanding of dynamic performance studies, including transient stability, electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies, and frequency response, even if not the primary modeler.
• Familiarity with gas-turbine control systems, such as Mark VIe or equivalent, and BESS plant or energy-management systems and power plant controllers.
• Experience reviewing EPC deliverables, grid-code compliance documentation, and performance guarantees.
• Knowledge of protection coordination and system-level control architecture.
• Strong communication skills for engagement with developers, OEMs, lenders, and regulatory bodies.
• Experience in development support and conceptual design for thermal power projects, such as simple-cycle gas turbines, combined-cycle projects, coal-fired generation, or reciprocating engines (RICE).

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in technical due diligence and Owner’s Engineer design reviews of thermal power projects.
• General understanding of power-station operations and performance reviews.
• General understanding of process design at electric power generation facilities.
• Contract development experience.
• Reliability modeling experience.
• Experience or interest in AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies where relevant to the role.

Responsibilities

• Support Owner’s Engineer and design teams on large, isolated power systems integrating generation technologies with large dynamic electrical loads.
• Provide independent technical oversight of plant control philosophies and assess whether OEM, EPC, and system-integrator designs support stable, resilient, and compliant operation.
• Review and challenge dynamic studies, control narratives, plant-controller strategies, and protection philosophies without directly performing detailed PSS®E or PSCAD modeling.
• Validate integration among gas-turbine controls, BESS energy-management and plant-controller systems, SCADA, and overall coordination strategies.
• Assess control strategies for frequency response, voltage control, inertia management, black start, load rejection, and large motor or data-center step loads.
• Identify technical risks and translate complex control interactions into clear recommendations for owner and lender stakeholders.
• Conduct engineering design reviews and technical due diligence.
• Support project development and conceptual design.
• Travel within the United States and internationally as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision health plans.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Back-up daycare.
• FSA and HSA.
• 401(k).
• Pre-tax commuter account.
• Merit scholarship program.
• Employee discount program.
• Corporate charitable giving program.
• Tuition assistance.
• First professional licensure bonus.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Paid annual personal/sick time.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid bereavement leave.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Eligible positions may include a yearly discretionary bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior