Senior Protection & Controls Engineer

Electric Power Engineers • Austin, TX

3d

About The Position

The Senior Protection & Controls Engineer provides power systems engineering expertise in protection design and coordination analyses for transmission-connected systems. The role designs protection systems, including overcurrent, distance, differential, communication-aided protection, and wide-area protection coordination. It also focuses on system protection schemes and studies involving generation interconnection protection and NERC PRC compliance to support the safety and reliability of the bulk electric system.

The successful candidate has a strong power systems background, experience with system protection software and tools, knowledge of conventional and non-conventional generator protective and ride-through functions, and familiarity with industry standards. The position supports EPC and private-client projects involving substations, data centers, generation, BESS, and other large-load facilities, from conceptual design through construction, testing, commissioning, and energization. It also provides technical leadership, mentoring, and senior-level review of engineering deliverables.

Electric Power Engineers (EPE) provides consulting expertise and energy intelligence software solutions for complex engineering and grid-modeling challenges. The company works with power and energy clients globally and focuses on building a modern, secure, and resilient grid. This position is located in the US, with occasional travel of 10% or less.

Requirements

• Licensed Professional Engineer.
• 10+ years of experience in protection and control engineering, preferably including consulting, EPC, or detailed-design environments.
• Strong technical background in substation P&C design and protective relaying for medium- and high-voltage systems.
• Experience with industry-standard protection tools and relay software such as ASPEN, CAPE, ETAP, Powerbase, SEL Quickset, and GE Enervista.
• Experience developing and reviewing complete P&C design packages from conceptual design through IFC.
• Strong knowledge of protective relay applications, settings, and coordination.
• Experience coordinating P&C design across multidisciplinary EPC projects.
• Strong client-facing communication, technical leadership, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities.
• Familiarity with applicable IEEE, ANSI, NERC, and utility P&C requirements.
• Experience leveraging AI and automation tools responsibly to improve quality, productivity, and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data centers, BESS, generation, or other large-load/industrial facilities.
• Experience with inverter-based power plants.
• Experience supporting construction, testing, and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review P&C engineering and design packages for EPC and private-client projects, including one-lines, three-lines, AC/DC schematics, relay logic, wiring diagrams, interconnection diagrams, and panel drawings.
• Develop and review protection philosophies and schemes for transformers, buses, feeders, transmission lines, capacitor and reactor banks, generators, and other electrical equipment.
• Develop and review protective relay settings and coordination, including overcurrent, differential, distance, breaker-failure, and communications-assisted protection.
• Perform and review short-circuit, equipment-duty, and protection-coordination studies required to support project design.
• Coordinate P&C design with substation physical design, electrical studies, SCADA/communications, metering, civil/structural, and other engineering disciplines.
• Review vendor drawings and equipment documentation for relays, control panels, switchgear, transformers, and other protection-related equipment.
• Support projects through construction, testing, commissioning, and energization, including resolving field issues and reviewing testing documentation.
• Provide technical QA/QC and senior-level review of P&C engineering deliverables.
• Support development of P&C engineering standards, design practices, templates, and calculation methodologies.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and supervision to P&C engineers and designers, and help build the department's P&C capability.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering quality and efficiency through standardization, automation, and responsible use of AI tools.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% premium coverage for the employee.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays.
• MyShare Employee Ownership Program.
• Work with industry leaders.
• 401(k) with up to a 4% match, 100% vested from day one.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed