Protection & Control Engineer/Specialist Job Family

About the role

This position is responsible for the design review, installation, testing, and maintenance of the protection and control systems that safeguard NIPSCO’s electric transmission, distribution, and generation infrastructure. Performs P&C system troubleshooting and problem correction. Investigates electric system events and protection operations. Performs startup and commissioning of new T&D equipment. Performs NERC compliance activities. Documents and reviews compliance requirements. Performs fieldwork in an industrial setting with exposure to high voltage, electromagnetic fields, and hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Reviews project design drawings and verify field wiring to ensure strict adherence to proper relaying practices and NIPSCO standards.
• Provides engineering support on site and directs various operating and construction personnel to ensure that all substation electrical equipment is installed, tested and operates properly.
• Designs control scheme logic and originate protective relaying schematic diagrams for new substations or renovation projects.
• Performs acceptance, calibration, functional testing and final load checks of protective relays and control schemes for new substations or renovation projects.
• Performs field acceptance testing of new substation equipment (power transformers, high voltage circuit breakers, instrument transformers, voltage regulators, circuit reclosers, capacitor banks, and motor operated switches).
• Maintains, calibrates and repairs the system monitoring equipment (Digital Fault Recorders and Sequential Event Recorders) located at critical transmission substations.
• Maintains, calibrates and repairs the electronic controls used in voltage regulating, power factor correction and circuit recloser equipment.
• Provides technical assistance and engineering services to various departments within the company and to industrial and commercial customers.
• Documents all equipment test data and maintain the most current version of substation electrical prints.
• Conducts substation power transformer loading and voltage surveys and maintains system distribution voltage levels in proper adjustment.
• Provides training, assistance, and sets positive example for level 1 and 2 field engineers.
• Respond anytime, day or night, to investigate and provide solutions to field problems with protective relaying control schemes or other substation equipment.

Requirements

This role is part of the Protection & Control Engineer job family and may be filled at Associate Engineer, Engineer 1, Engineer 2, Engineer 3 or Senior Engineer level. The successful candidate will be selected at a level commensurate with education, experience, and demonstrated competencies.

Qualifications

• Associate Engineer or Engineer 1: Graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology. Less than 1 year of experience for Associate Engineer & 1+ years of relevant job experience for Engineer 1.
• Engineer 2: 2+ years of Protection & control experience and a graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology. All the qualifications for Engineer 1 including: Increased understanding of basic engineering/technical theories and principles. Increased understanding of basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations. Ability to analyze troubleshoot protection & control schemes under limited supervision. Ability to execute moderate capital projects with limited supervision, which includes the ability to provide on-site technical support and direction of field personnel to ensure that all substation and line electrical equipment and P&C systems are installed, tested and operated properly. Ability to perform scheduled maintenance of P&C systems to ensure reliability and compliance with NERC requirements with limited supervision. Specific ability to use engineering PC applications (AutoCAD, AcSELerator QuickSet & RTAC, RTS, PowerBase).
• Engineer 3: 4+ years of Protection & control experience and a graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology. All the qualifications for Engineer 2 including: Proficient in written and oral communication skills. Proficient in engineering/technical theories and principles. Proficient understanding in protection & control principles. Proficient ability to analyze and troubleshoot P&C schemes independently. Ability to analyze system events and provide summary reports to operational teams. Ability to devise and apply specific test procedures related to protective relay control systems. Proficient in basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations. Proficient in dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Proficient in performing duties with increased latitude for un-reviewed work. Proficient in designing complex protection & control schemes for new substations or renovation projects. Performs detailed drawings reviews to ensure strict adherence to NIPSCO P&S standards. Provides guidance and support to external design firms.
• Senior Engineer: 7+ years of protection & control experience and a graduate from a four-year ABET accredited college or university program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology. All the qualifications for Engineer 3 including: Skilled in written and oral communication skills. Skilled in engineering/technical theories and principles. Skilled in basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations. Skilled in dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Skilled in performing duties with increased latitude for un-reviewed work. Skilled in designing complex protection & control schemes for new substations or renovation projects. Performs detailed drawings reviews to ensure strict adherence to NIPSCO P&S standards. Provides guidance and support to external design firms.

Skills

Knowledge of Electric Engineering. Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft 365 skills. Understanding of basic engineering/technical theories and principles. Ability to read/interpret drawings/standards to analyze/solve problems. Ability to deal with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Good written and oral communication skills. Ability to carry test equipment up to 60 Ibs.

Benefits

NIPSCO offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. Details are available upon request.

Pay

The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity. The salary range for this position is $113,500.00 - $170,300.00.

Schedule

Work schedule can include extended hours or overnight stays out of the area. Personnel are subject to 24/7 emergency call out.