Senior Protection & Controls Engineer

Electric Power Engineers • Austin, TX

1d

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, communications-aided, and wide-area protection, and develops protection schemes and studies for generation interconnections. It also supports NERC PRC compliance to help ensure the safety and reliability of the bulk electric system. The successful candidate brings strong power systems experience, including familiarity with protection software and tools, conventional and non-conventional generator protective and ride-through functions, and applicable industry standards, and applies this expertise in a fast-paced environment.

The role develops and reviews protection and control (P&C) engineering and design packages for EPC and private-client projects involving substations, data centers, generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and other large-load facilities. It provides technical review and leadership across project design, studies, construction support, testing, commissioning, and energization, while contributing to engineering standards, practices, and department capability.

Electric Power Engineers (EPE) provides consulting expertise and energy intelligence software solutions for power and energy clients. The company describes its work as supporting a modern, secure, and resilient grid, with a focus on renewables. The position is located in the US, and occasional travel of 10% or less may be needed.

Requirements

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
• At least 10 years of experience in protection and control engineering.
• 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 in consulting, EPC, or detailed-design environments.
• 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-line and three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, relay logic, wiring and interconnection diagrams, and panel drawings.
• Develop and review protection philosophies and schemes for transformers, buses, feeders, transmission lines, capacitor/reactor banks, generators, and other electrical equipment.
• Develop and review protective relay settings and coordination for 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 paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• MyShare Employee Ownership Program.
• Opportunity to 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