Protection & Controls Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join the High Power Engineering team to design, set, commission, and maintain protection and control systems for large electrical infrastructure. As a Protection & Controls Engineer, you will own schemes and settings from the transmission interconnection through distribution, on-site generation, and battery energy storage, down to medium- and low-voltage buses serving data halls and other mission-critical loads. The position is based in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop protection philosophy, one-line and three-line diagrams, DC control schematics, wiring diagrams, and relay panel layouts for the electrical system from the utility interconnection to facility buses.
• Calculate, implement, and maintain protective relay settings and logic for transmission lines, buses, power transformers, distribution feeders, generators, and battery energy storage / inverter-based resources.
• Specify relays, current and voltage transformers, trip circuits, lockout schemes, breaker-failure protection, and communications-assisted schemes (permissive, blocking, transfer trip).
• Perform short-circuit, protective-device coordination, and arc-flash studies; keep settings aligned with the study of record as the system changes.
• Commission protection systems: functional checks, primary and secondary injection, end-to-end scheme tests, and in-service timing checks. Use industry test sets (e.g. Doble, Omicron).
• Collect and analyze fault and disturbance records (COMTRADE and equivalent); recommend setting or scheme changes after events, misoperations, or staged tests.
• Maintain the settings management database, as-left files, and firmware/config control for in-service relays.
• Integrate protection with SCADA, RTUs, and plant/facility monitoring: DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850 (including GOOSE), and IEEE C37.118 synchrophasors as applicable.
• Support NERC PRC evidence and testing where the interconnection or generation/storage fleet requires it (e.g. PRC-005, PRC-019, PRC-024, PRC-027).
• Work with field technicians, operators, and contractors during outages, switching, and troubleshooting. Stay hands-on at the panel.
• Apply IEEE C37 (including line, transformer, bus, and generator protection), NESC, NFPA 70 / 70E, IEEE 1547, and IEEE 2800 as they apply to the assets in scope.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of protection and controls experience (settings, design, or commissioning) on medium- or high-voltage systems.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years in a protection and controls role at a utility, independent power producer, EPC, relay manufacturer (e.g. SEL), or hyperscale / colocation data center operator.
• Hands-on experience with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) relays and software (AcSELerator QuickSet, synchroWAVe Event, or equivalent). GE, ABB, Siemens, or Beckwith experience also valued.
• SELogic or equivalent relay logic; settings templates; a formal settings management process.
• Short-circuit and coordination studies in ETAP, ASPEN OneLiner, CAPE, SKM, or EasyPower.
• Transmission and distribution protection (line, bus, transformer, feeder) plus at least one of: generator protection, BESS/inverter-based resource protection, or mission-critical facility / data hall medium-voltage protection.
• Commissioning with Doble F6150, Omicron CMC, or equivalent; event-record analysis after faults.
• Familiarity with DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850, IEEE C37.118, IEEE C37.111, and IEEE C37.232.
• Working knowledge of IEEE C37.102 (generator), C37.91 (transformer), C37.234 (bus), IEEE 1547 / 2800 (interconnection and inverter-based resources), and applicable NERC PRC standards.\
• Professional Engineering license, or actively working toward one.
• Ability to support technicians in the field and to remain effective during outages and event investigations.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights.
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support construction, energization, and operations.
• Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE.
• Lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies.
• Willing to work on-site in Memphis, TN. This is not a remote or hybrid role.
• Travel up to 25% for factory witness testing, vendor and OEM engagement, and supporting other sites.
• Valid driver's license.