System Protection Engineer

This position is responsible for the development of engineering standards, guidelines, studies, calculations, and specifications associated with power system protection.

• Develop and maintain PEC’s system protection philosophy

• Serve as subject matter expert in all matters of system protection

• Provide independent, high-level guidance for improving PEC’s system in current and future projects

• Provide reports and analysis to upper management in matters of system protection and regulatory compliance

• Serve as main point of contact for PEC in the area of system protection with internal and external stakeholders

• Evaluate, maintain, and test transmission and distribution protection schemes as well as design new installations for future projects

• Provide power system protection expertise and closely collaborate with other engineers in the Substation Design, Transmission Development, and Distribution Planning departments

• Scope projects and provide cost estimates and project justifications

• Oversee contractors and consultants performing system protection work

• Perform short circuit studies and other complex calculations as required to develop relay settings

• Review short circuit ratings for all PEC-owned substation equipment and ensure all ratings are above short circuit fault levels

• Assist substation electricians with troubleshooting system protection schemes

• Perform relay coordination studies

• Serve as administrator for PEC’s relay database software

• Ensure relay documentation and database is up-to-date and properly stored

• Analyze all transmission relay events and provide a written report documenting findings

• Coordinate relay settings with interconnected utilities

• Review existing relay settings to ensure proper relay coordination margin and recommend setting changes if required

• Utilize communications system including power line carrer and fiber optic technology to develop relay settings

• Develop transmission line relay settings for projects

• Develop temporary relay settings for maintenance projects

• Represent PEC in ERCOT and NERC working groups, meeting, and workshops as appropriate

• Be the subject matter expert for all applicable NERC PRC requirements

• Ensure compliance with all applicable NERC standards, including multiple contingency analysis, relay loadability, and coordination of protection systems

• Provide status updates on projects as needed

• Provide guidance to other department engineers and staff

• Develop and present formal training on various system protection related topics

• Maintain the security of confidential information

• Stay abreast of advances in technology

• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance

• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Serve in a lead capacity in the absence of the engineering manager

• Expert in using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs such as AutoCAD and ASPEN, entering data or processing information

• Expert in relay protection schemes and control systems, the calculation of relay settings, and the creation of relay control logic

• Expert in relay communications principles, testing practices, and the maintenance of relay communications network infrastructure

• Expert in NERC PRC standards

• Proficient in reading and understanding schematics and design drawings

• Skilled in analyzing relay event reports and indentifying correct relay operations

• Skilled in time management

• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities

• Ability to lead and direct a work team

• Ability to model systems in short circuit models

• Ability to provide work direction to other team members as required

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing

• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas

• Ten years of directly related work experience as a Professional Engineer

• Valid Driver’s License

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel

• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time

• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 25 pounds

• The employee may be required to travel

• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period

• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.