| Location | Charlotte, NC |
| Salary | $145,000 Per Year |
The Power System Protection Engineer located in Charlotte, NC is a senior-level engineering position responsible for conducting protection studies and developing relay settings to support the design, implementation, commissioning, and testing of electrical protection systems.
This role focuses on developing and applying protection strategies for medium- and high-voltage electrical systems serving mission-critical, commercial, and industrial facilities. The successful candidate will bring advanced technical expertise, the ability to independently resolve complex protection challenges, and the capability to mentor and develop other engineering professionals.
Design, specify, calculate settings for, and coordinate protective relaying and relay control schemes.
Develop protection schemes and relay settings for transformers, generators, transmission lines, feeders, buses, and other electrical equipment in accordance with client requirements and system specifications.
Configure and develop relay settings for overcurrent, differential, distance, and backup protection systems.
Perform protection coordination studies to ensure proper relay operation and minimize system downtime during electrical faults.
Utilize power system modeling and analysis software, including ETAP, SKM, CAPE, and ASPEN, to simulate protection systems, analyze fault scenarios, and evaluate equipment ratings.
Conduct fault analysis, short-circuit studies, AC and DC arc-flash studies, and harmonic studies.
Support field testing, commissioning, and validation of protective relays and control systems to ensure proper operation and compliance with project requirements.
Diagnose and troubleshoot protection system issues, conduct root cause analyses, and develop corrective actions for relay misoperations and unexpected trips.
Collaborate with engineers, project managers, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of protection systems.
Prepare technical documentation, including relay settings, test reports, protection studies, and coordination diagrams.
Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements, including IEEE, IEC, NEC, NFPA 70E, and NERC standards.
Provide technical leadership throughout project execution, resolving complex protection challenges and supporting projects from initial design through commissioning.
Mentor and train engineering staff while promoting technical excellence and continuous improvement.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), with a focus on power systems.
6 or more years of relevant experience applying protection principles and developing relay settings for electrical power systems serving mission-critical infrastructure, commercial and industrial facilities, and substations.
Active U.S.-based Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required.
Advanced proficiency with power system modeling and analysis tools, including ETAP, SKM, ASPEN, and CAPE.
Applied knowledge and experience with the following power system protection applications:
Overcurrent and over/undervoltage protection.
Transformer differential protection.
High- and low-impedance busbar differential protection.
Generator protection.
Motor protection.
Medium- and high-voltage line differential and distance protection.
Experience developing protection schemes and relay settings for redundant power architectures supporting data centers and other mission-critical facilities.
Advanced proficiency in developing and programming relay settings for SEL, Siemens, and other protective relay platforms.
Experience developing and managing relay setting files using vendor software such as SEL AcSELerator, GE Vernova Enervista, or equivalent platforms.
Demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and develop technical teams.
Strong leadership, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills.
Advanced computer skills and the ability to select and apply appropriate software tools for complex engineering analysis.
Proven ability to manage complex engineering assignments and support successful project delivery.
Advanced experience using Mathcad and Microsoft Excel to develop protective relay setting calculation sheets.
Working knowledge of NERC reliability standards, particularly PRC-019, PRC-023, PRC-024, PRC-025, PRC-026, and PRC-027.
Experience with commonly used communication protocols, including DNP, SEL protocols, MMS, and Modbus.
Working knowledge of IEC 61850, including GOOSE, MMS, and Sampled Values (SV), and their applications in modern substations and mission-critical facilities.
Experience designing and supporting protection systems for redundant power architectures, including N, N+1, and 2N configurations commonly used in data centers.
Demonstrated success managing complex protection engineering assignments in multidisciplinary, fast-paced project environments.
Ability to lead small- to mid-sized engineering projects, including schedule management, budgeting, staffing, and technical execution.
Experience supporting proposal development, including defining scopes of work, estimating levels of effort, preparing engineering estimates, and developing project schedules.
Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing early-career engineers.
Ability to coordinate technical activities across project teams while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
Up to 50% travel, excluding local field visits.
General work environment involving extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, and bending.
Work is conducted primarily indoors in environments with varying conditions, including fluorescent lighting and air conditioning.
Noise levels are typically low to moderate.
Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations are considered for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and applicable state laws.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
401(k) retirement plan.
Annual bonus program based on performance, profitability, and achievement.
17 paid time off (PTO) days per year, plus 10 paid holidays.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Term life, AD&D, and voluntary life insurance.
Disability income protection insurance.
Pre-tax flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
Charitable giving match through company foundations.
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