Power System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs in California

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Black & Veatch is seeking an experienced Power System Protection Engineer with a preferred 5-10 years of experience to join our Protective Relay Settings Team. The ideal candidate has significant working experience and knowledge of Protection & Control (P&C) design concepts, relay setting calculations / setting file development, relay manufacturer software platforms, and power system analysis & modeling software.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Function as a technical subject matter expert and specialist.
• Develop protective setpoints per industry standards, best practices and client requirements.
• Work with system modeling software programs (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM).
• Develop downloadable setpoint files on multiple propietary relay manufacturer software platforms (SEL AcSELerator Quickset, GE Enervista, etc.).
• Develop and manipulate logic commonly utilized in protection and control schemes.

Multiple locations available! Please refer to job posting header for full list of eligible locations.

• Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Independently applies knowledge and complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.  May be responsible for ensuring compliance with B&V quality program.  Provides related guidance and direction to others. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
• Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects.  Performs complex research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. May oversee collection, assimilation, and management of data for engineering work.  Prepares complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles.  Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis problems and methods. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members to develop depth of project execution staff. Reviews lower level engineering work or assignments. Is responsible for one or more of the following:  leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
• Actively coordinates with all other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects.
• Responsible for assisting with identification of key client interests and drivers on low to moderately complex projects. Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work on low to moderately complex projects. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities and may offer other services to clients.
• Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area. May design a complete project of moderately complex scope or support multiple projects on the complex technical challenges. Actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring. May develop and apply advanced engineering concepts and approaches to unique engineering problems
• Typically assists with performance management process, mentoring, recognition, and any corrective actions required. May participate in career planning, and learning and development.  Actively mentors lower level professionals and identifies successors to train in the specifics of their role.
• May assist with resource management strategy. May have responsibility of engineering resources for small groups of a single discipline. 

May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:

• Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
• Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
• Approving timesheets and expense reports.

• 5-10 years of experience in Transmission, Distribution, or Power Generation industry.
• Previous working experience with Protection & Control design concepts including one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring, et cetera.
• 5 years of experience in development of protective relay settings.
• Significant experience with commonly utilized system modeling software programs (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM, et cetera).
• Significant knowledge and application of the predominant protection schemes and philosophies which are encountered in Transmission, Distribution, and Renewable Collector Substations.
• Significant experience with Mathcad and Excel software for protective setting calculations.
• Experience with commonly utilized communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus, et cetera).
• Knowledge of IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV) and its implementation.
• Knowledge and application of NERC-PRC standards and other commonly utilized industry standards.
• Proven ability to independently develop written communication and to facilitate coordination with team members and clients.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Proven ability to lead small projects including management of project schedules, budgets, and staffing.
• Significant experience supporting proposal development- including, scope of work, level of work, engineering estimates, schedule.
• Strong leaderships skills, with desire to train and develop early career and/or inexperienced professionals.
• Significant experience functioning in a QC/QA capacity.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) License in State of Residence or Project Needs.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing.
• Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

• Professional Engineer License (U.S. PE), preferred

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.