Substation Protection & Controls Engineer at Pond & Company in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

About the Position



We are seeking a Substation Protection and Controls Engineer to join our growing Energy team in either one of the following Pond offices: Atlanta, GA; Peachtree Corners, GA; Tampa, FL; The Woodlands, TX; Denver, CO. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of relevant experience. This role involves supporting a dynamic team of engineering professionals in designing control equipment layouts, elementary diagrams, schematic and wiring diagrams, and plans for transmission and substation projects.


The work requires a solid understanding of power systems, transformers, protective relaying, and electrical engineering principles. The engineer will be involved in developing and reviewing designs for high voltage substations (12kV - 500kV) and will support protective relay settings calculations and analysis in accordance with current standards (e.g., IEEE, NERC). The engineer will manage multiple projects at various stages, ensuring timely completion, providing design support during implementation, maintaining proficiency in CAD software, and collaborating within a team to produce high-quality deliverables.



Key Responsibilities

• Design protection and control (P&C) systems for transmission and distribution substations.


• Develop and review one-line diagrams, relay metering one-line diagrams, protection schemes, AC/DC schematics, panel layouts, and wiring diagrams.


• Conduct relay coordination studies and develop relay settings for protective relays, including SEL, GE, ABB, and electromechanical relays.


• Specify and select protection relays, CTs, PTs, transformers, circuit breakers, SCADA RTUs, PMUs, and DFRs for substation applications.


• Perform short-circuit, load flow, and arc flash studies using ETAP, CYME, or SKM.


• Develop SCADA RTU configurations for substation automation and communication systems.


• Design communication block diagrams for substation network.


• Strong understanding of point-to-point wiring for panels is required.


• Proficient in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, ETAP, CYME and SKM.


• Ensure compliance with NERC, IEEE, NEC, NESC, and utility-specific protection standards.


• Knowledge of Air-Insulated (AIS) and Gas-Insulated (GIS) substations.


• Provide technical support during construction, commissioning, and relay testing.


• Review vendor drawings and specifications to ensure proper integration into substation P&C designs.


• Collaborate with internal teams, including substation physical engineers, project managers and other disciplines, as well as utilities, clients, and field engineers.


• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members.


• Assist with engineering release packages, including drawings and bills of materials.


• Prepare engineering deliverables, including contract documents and studies.


• Manage project budgets, schedules, and quality requirements.


• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.


• Travel to client sites and industry conferences as needed.

Qualifications

• B.S. Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university


• 5+ years of experience in electrical protection and controls


• PE license or actively pursuing PE certification


• Strong understanding of protection and control principles for utility substations and transmission line equipment

About Pond



Pond is an award-winning, full-service architecture, engineering, planning, construction management, and environmental services firm providing professional solutions to clients throughout the U.S. and globally for nearly 60 years. Pond's staff of 600+ professionals provide a deep bench strength of experience and capabilities to offer customized solutions that help clients manage projects from concept to completion - and everything in between - with confidence and clarity. Pond is currently ranked as the 80th largest engineering and design firm by ENR, Atlanta's #1 engineering firm by Atlanta Business Chronicle, and has been recognized as an Employer of the Year by Georgia ACEC and a Best Place to Work for Working Parents.



Additional Information


Many factors are considered when determining compensation at Pond, including scope and level of position, geographic location, candidate skill, knowledge and experience. Starting base pay may vary depending on these factors. We anticipate filling this position as a Electrical Engineer III - Energy with a salary range of $75,900.00 - $159,800.00 .


Additional cash incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on position offered. Learn more about Pond's comprehensive benefits offerings here .


All offers of employment made by Pond & Company are contingent upon satisfactory background check results. Pre-employment background checks will be conducted on all candidates that are offered a position at Pond in compliance with program policy as well as state and federal regulations.



Equal Opportunity Employer



We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Employment decisions at Pond are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state and local laws in jurisdictions where we operate. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hrdepartment@pondco.com .


Apply for this position at careers.pondco.com . We are always looking for driven professionals of all disciplines to join our fast-growing company. For more information on our services, clientele, or employment opportunities, visit our website at www.pondco.com.
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