Substation Engineer

Title: Substation Engineer

Position Type: Direct Hire

Location: La Crosse, WI (Relocation Assistance Provided)

Key Project Requirements:

• Experience developing protective relay settings and coordination studies for transmission systems up to 161kV.
• Experience performing fault analysis and power system studies using tools such as CAPE, ASPEN OneLiner, or similar protection engineering software.
• Experience supporting substation protection and control systems, including relay troubleshooting, commissioning support, and coordination with operations and maintenance teams.

Job Summary:

PIC Staffing is seeking a Substation Engineer to support the design and engineering of transmission and distribution substations. This role is responsible for protective relaying, system studies, equipment specifications, and substation engineering to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the electrical network. The engineer will collaborate with operations, maintenance, and planning teams while supporting system improvements and engineering projects across the fleet.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain protective relaying schemes and relay settings for transmission lines, transformers, and substation equipment. Develop relay protection settings and perform fault analysis and protection coordination studies to ensure reliable system operation.
• Perform power system studies related to equipment loading, voltage regulation, power factor, protection coordination, and grounding.
• Maintain and update system fault models and provide study data to internal teams, utilities, consultants, and member cooperatives.
• Develop equipment specifications and evaluate vendor proposals for transformers, circuit breakers, regulators, capacitor banks, and related electrical equipment.
• Design and review substation grounding systems and surge protection applications in accordance with applicable ANSI and IEEE standards.
• Provide technical support to operations, maintenance, planning, and generation teams, including field support during testing, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.

Job Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of AC three-phase power systems, protective relaying, metering, and substation design.
• Experience performing fault analysis, protection coordination studies, and grounding design.
• Familiarity with applicable industry standards including ANSI, IEEE, NESC, NEC, and NERC.
• Experience performing protection coordination and fault studies using tools such as CAPE, ASPEN OneLiner, or similar power system analysis software preferred.
• Proficiency with engineering software and computer-aided design tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare technical reports and documentation.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to substations and other system facilities, including occasional overnight travel.

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering required
• 2+ years of experience in power system protection, protective relaying, or substation engineering within the electric utility or power industry.
• Experience performing fault analysis and protection coordination studies using tools such as CAPE, ASPEN OneLiner, or similar power system analysis software preferred.
• PE license or EIT pursuing licensure is a plus.