Lead Electrical Design Engineer

Lead Electrical Design Engineer

A Lead Electrical Design Engineer position is available in Biddeford, ME. This role is responsible for leading protection and control design projects within substations, power plants, and switchgear. The engineer will perform and oversee all aspects of electrical design, including but not limited to protective relaying, circuit breakers, transformers, PLCs, HMIs, network architecture, and SCADA systems. Additionally, this individual will provide guidance to other staff engineers throughout project efforts.

The ideal candidate should have a diverse skill set and the ability to work independently while acting as the technical lead on projects. This role also involves mentoring lower-level engineers and technicians.

Major Responsibilities:

The Lead Electrical Design Engineer will provide engineering services for utility substations and generation stations. Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and overseeing the development of electrical systems for substations, power plants, and switchgear upgrades, incorporating advanced knowledge of protective relays and control systems. Experience with IEC-61850 is preferred.
• Leading project planning, design, specification, and implementation phases while ensuring projects are completed within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
• Developing and implementing strategies for integrating SCADA, HMI, and PLC systems with electrical power systems to ensure reliable and user-friendly operation.
• Programming protective relays to establish protection setpoints, custom control logic, and remote communications.
• Setting up and executing Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) with clients.
• Preparing comprehensive project documentation, including design drawings, schematics, and technical specifications.
• Mentoring and providing technical leadership to junior engineers and design staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning.
• Acting as the primary technical contact for clients, contractors, and suppliers, managing expectations and resolving technical issues as they arise.
• Staying informed about emerging technologies, industry trends, and regulatory changes to incorporate innovative solutions into design practices.
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with customers, leading project meetings, managing schedules, and ensuring financial requirements are met.
• Assisting in the development of estimates for client proposals.

Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or engineering technology) is required.
• A BSEE or BSEET from an accredited institution is preferred.

5-10 years of experience in the following areas is preferred:

• In-depth understanding of three-phase power systems and associated equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, CTs, PTs, batteries, chargers, transfer switches, relays, and metering.
• Extensive experience with AutoCAD.
• Strong understanding of standard electrical drawing packages, including elevation drawings, one-lines, three-lines, AC/DC control elementaries, and wiring diagrams.
• Expertise in protective relaying and control scheme implementation, with key protective relay vendors including SEL, GE, Beckwith, Basler, and Alstom.
• Knowledge of automation data concentrators, particularly SEL-RTAC.
• Experience with rotating machinery, including motors, generators, and excitation systems.
• Familiarity with SCADA, RTU, and DFR systems.
• Knowledge or experience with IEC-61850.
• Must possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver's license.

Physical Demands:

This role requires the ability to perform various physical activities, including:

• Seeing, color perception, hearing, listening, and clear speech.
• Dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, climbing, and the ability to mount and dismount equipment.
• Pushing, pulling, and working in warm and cold temperatures, with potential exposure to hazardous materials and electrical voltages.

Working Conditions:

• Work may be required in environments with varying temperature conditions, moisture exposure, slippery or uneven surfaces, confined spaces, and at heights.
• Frequent standing, driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, occasional bending, squatting, climbing, twisting, balancing, and reaching may be required.
• Exposure to noise, vibrations, and chemicals is possible.
• May require irregular or extended hours, on-call duties, and travel for project completion.