Freelance Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Springfield, IL

Hanson Values

Integrity | Commitment | Quality | Relationships | Innovation

If you're looking for a firm that encourages innovative thinking and challenges you every day, with an opportunity to learn and advance, a career at Hanson is right for you. The belief in sustainability within our company's practices creates a focus on client success and partnerships that are important to our communities and our environment.

Electrical Engineer - Substation Design

Position: Full-Time

Location: Any (Florida and Illinois preferred)
Licensing: Professional Engineer (PE) Required

About the Role

Hanson Professional Services Inc. is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer specializing in Substation Design to support power delivery projects for utility, municipal, and industrial clients. This senior-level role is ideal for a licensed Professional Engineer with extensive experience in high-voltage substations, including physical layout, protection and control coordination, and interdisciplinary design integration.

The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and direct experience working with transmission and distribution (T&D) utilities or power companies.

Key Responsibilities

Substation Engineering & Design

• Lead the design of new, expanded, and upgraded electrical substations (typically 69kV through 500kV).

• Develop and review substation designs including:

• Physical layouts and general arrangements

• Bus configurations and equipment arrangement

• Grounding systems and lightning protection

• Raceway and cable schedules

• Equipment foundations and integration with civil/structural designs

• Perform and review electrical calculations, including:

• Ground grid analysis

• Short-circuit and relay coordination support

• AC/DC system design

• Prepare construction drawings, technical specifications, design reports, and material lists.

Protection, Control & Systems Coordination

• Coordinate substation design with protection and control engineers, SCADA, and communications teams.

• Support breaker, transformer, relay, and protection scheme selection and integration.

• Ensure designs comply with applicable utility standards and power system requirements.

Project Leadership & Technical Oversight

• Serve as lead engineer or technical authority on substation projects.

• Provide quality control reviews of drawings, calculations, and specifications.

• Collaborate with civil, structural, geotechnical, transmission line, and environmental teams.

• Support project managers with:

• Scope development

• Cost estimating

• Scheduling and risk identification

• Mentor junior engineers and designers.

Industry Tools & Standards

• Apply applicable industry codes and standards, including:

• IEEE

• NESC

• NFPA (including NEC)

• ANSI

• Utility-specific design criteria

• Utilize industry-standard software and tools, such as:

• AutoCAD or MicroStation

• SKM, ETAP, or EasyPower

• Ground grid and fault analysis tools

• Maintain awareness of current substation construction methods, safety requirements, and materials.

Client & Field Support

• Work directly with electric utilities, power providers, and industrial clients.

• Support construction activities through:

• Review of contractor submittals

• Responses to RFIs

• Site visits and field observations

• Ensure design intent is effectively communicated and implemented in the field.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related field.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license (required at hire).

• Minimum 8 years of experience in substation or power delivery engineering.

• Prior experience working with:

• Electric utilities

• Transmission and distribution companies

• Power industry clients

• Strong understanding of substation equipment, protection philosophies, and utility standards.

• Proven ability to lead technical tasks and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with EPC or owner engineer utility project delivery models.

• Experience with HV/EHV substations (230kV and above).

• Familiarity with relay protection concepts and SCADA integration.

• Experience developing proposals, cost estimates, and schedules.

• Prior experience mentoring junior staff or acting in a technical lead role.

Soft Skills & Competencies

• High level of technical judgment and attention to detail

• Strong leadership and collaboration skills

• Client focused mindset

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Working at Hanson

• Employee-owned firm offering career growth and long-term stability

• Collaborative culture across multiple disciplines and offices

• Willingness to support occasional site visits and travel

• Valid driver's license required

Salary Range: $147,000-$175,000

Our focus on people means we offer a generous benefits program to help you create a solid foundation for health and security throughout your career, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Performance bonuses
• 401(k) with matching contribution
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Comprehensive health & well-being plans
• Financial wellness plans
• Work-life balance programs

Want to know more? Visitour benefits pagefor all the details.

We understand that selecting a job is about more than the day-to-day tasks. It's important to feel like you belong and safe to grow and progress along your career path. You'll find that at Hanson. We have an inclusive, diverse workforce awaiting to connect with you and numerous opportunities to cultivate your career, including:

• Monthly educational webinars
• Leadership training
• Lunch & learn development sessions
• 24/7 access to thousands of skill-building courses
• Mentorship opportunities
• Award-winning internship program
• Employee recognition
• And so much more!

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EEO - EMPLOYER

We do not accept unsolicited resumesfrom recruiters or agencies/staffing firms.Resumesare only accepted from recruiters and agency/staffing firms if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position.