Power Systems Protection Engineer

Position Overview

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Senior Protection & Studies Engineer to lead and grow our firm’s capabilities in power system protection. As the go-to expert in this space, you will shape the future of our protection practice while delivering hands-on engineering excellence. This is a high-impact, hands-on role that offers professional growth, exposure to leadership, and the opportunity to build and lead a critical, high-demand specialty within the firm.

Salary: $120,000 to $140,000 annually

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and implementation of protection schemes for substations, distribution systems, and industrial facilities
• Perform system studies, develop protection schemes, coordinate relay settings, and review designs for accuracy and code compliance
• Serve as the technical authority for other teams, providing guidance, mentorship, and support
• Help expand and develop the firm’s protection capabilities, including building and mentoring a growing team
• Collaborate across disciplines on sustainable, impactful projects, influencing both technical direction and firm strategy
• Perform various studies including short-circuit, load-flow, coordination, grounding, lightning protection, and others as required
• Perform power system studies utilizing one or more power systems analysis software packages
• Produce protective relay settings and setting files utilizing relay vendor software
• Apply NERC-PRC standards to relay coordination and produce applicable compliance reports
• Develop protection schemes for substations & industrial installations
• Coordinate with other substation design disciplines (i.e., P&C design teams)
• Maintain a working knowledge of processes and issues affecting productivity and quality of contract documents and reports
• Act as Engineer-in-responsible-charge, including making technical decisions in their respective field, reviewing, stamping, and signing construction documents
• Develop positive external and internal client relationships and participate in project interviews for firm-wide projects
• Conduct project closeout and quality measurement investigation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher education in Electrical Engineering
• 8+ years of job-related experience
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and the National Electrical Code
• Licensed Professional Engineer (or ability to obtain by comity) in the state of the hiring Cushing Terrell office
• Advanced knowledge of one or more Electrical Systems Analysis Software packages, ETAP preferred
• Working knowledge of Bluebeam, Outlook, and Microsoft Office
• Proven record of technical competence in areas of electrical system design including but not limited to electrical substations, overhead and underground distribution, and industrial installations, with applicable codes and regulations
• Develop working knowledge of Cushing Terrell’s process and issues affecting productivity and quality control
• Ability to prepare fee proposals, various studies and reports in relation to essential functions
• Work independently or under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer or Project Manager
• Ability to administer construction contracts and conduct ‘on-site’ observation of work during construction to monitor plan compliance, including administration and review of addendums, substitutions, change orders, and submittals

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities to work in a variety of locations and markets
• A company culture that celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Professional growth, leadership exposure, and the opportunity to build and lead a critical specialty within the firm