Job Description
Job Description
Controls Engineer IV — Power the Future of Clean Energy
Location: Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Remote
Pay Rate: 71.23/hour
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 8–5
About the Opportunity
The Lead Protection & Control Engineer works on T&D substations for AC, HVDC and FACTS projects with designers, peer engineers & leaders. The engineer is responsible to define, design, coordinate all technical aspects of HV / EHV substation protection & control and oversee technical plant integration and optimization at project level considering safety, quality, schedule and cost criteria. The engineer should have great attention to detail with a can-do attitude & customer responsiveness. The Lead Protection & Control Engineer may be identified as project engineer for small to medium size project, which are highly secondary engineering focused. The engineer shall continuously update themselves with new technology and have a mindset of continuous learning, consistent with grid transition needs. Functions with some autonomy but guided by established policies or review of end results.
We are hiring a Controls Engineer IV to take on complex, high-impact engineering challenges that directly support clean combustion services and power plant modernization.
Role Summary
Minimum 5 years of experience in system protection schemes, relay selection, primary equipment interface requirements, operational analysis, communication systems and maintenance practices for transmission, distribution, and generation protection applications at both AIS and GIS substations.
P.E. License or EIT with willingness to pursue and acquire P.E certification.
Fluent in written and spoken English. Strong influencing and relationship building skills. Demonstrated presentation skills.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, including international, for meetings and on-site commissioning tests for customer installations and comply with all relevant company travel and tax policies.
Your work will directly support cleaner, safer, and more efficient power generation.
What You’ll Do (Day-to-Day Responsibilities)
Ultimately be responsible to ensure high quality design of protection schemes for all kinds of T&D substations, Data Centers, Industrial, BESS applications including one-lines, three-lines, AC / DC schematics, and relay settings.
Lead a local or remote design team to develop P&C designs (protection single line diagram, 3 Line Diagrams, panel general arrangement and schematics, wiring diagrams)
Evaluate the interoperability, control features and communication/protocol aspects of IEC’s serving as protection relays to provide integrated solution including SCADA, Cybersecurity and telecommunication needs
Be familiar with IEC61850 process and system bus architecture and its implementation for substations
Able to work independently on the following P&C drawings: one line protection and metering diagrams, tripping tables/matrix, logic diagrams, Aux power DC and AC one line diagrams, relay protection and control schematics, metering, monitoring and alarm schematics, SCADA block diagram, racks and panels views, wiring diagrams, control house layouts, cable schedules and bill of materials. Develop optimized designs with a safety mindset.
Coordinate P&C design with Electrical layout engineers and designers, Relay Setting Engineers, site managers, commissioning engineers and field personnel
Coordinate with vendors and manufacturers and review technical documentation related to P&C design
Interface with customer to resolve technical issues
Prepare P&C engineering estimates. Estimate P&C equipment quantities and costs for proposals.
During project execution, communicate with Project Engineering Manager to resolve engineering and design aspects that impact material cost, schedule, engineering budget, safety and quality.
Perform applicable design calculations required for DC battery and charger sizing, voltage drop calculations, aux AC power design and to define CT and PT/CCVT parameters to be specified.
Create and support development of FAT, SAT, Outages and cutover plans and procedures. Support field testing and commissioning either from office or by on site presence.
Perform engineering and constructability reviews of P&C deliverables of own project and those of other teams (peer review).
Support the engineering manager in meeting business KPIs and department goals. Be an active participant and contributor to improvements in design procedures, standards development, quality, productivity. Proactively participate in Return Of Experience and Lessons Learned.
Execute projects while maintaining compliance to business policies, tools, procedures, methods. Embrace a culture of humility, transparency and deliver with focus.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university or college (BSEE with Power major strongly preferred)
Minimum 5 years of experience in system protection schemes, relay selection, primary equipment interface requirements, operational analysis, communication systems and maintenance practices for transmission, distribution, and generation protection applications at both AIS and GIS substations.
Preferred Qualifications
P.E. License or EIT with willingness to pursue and acquire P.E certification.
Fluent in written and spoken English. Strong influencing and relationship building skills. Demonstrated presentation skills.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, including international, for meetings and on-site commissioning tests for customer installations and comply with all relevant company travel and tax policies.
Why Join Us?
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Make an Impact: Contribute to technologies that support global decarbonization and a cleaner energy future.
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Challenging Work: Tackle complex, high-visibility engineering problems that stretch your technical expertise.
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Collaborative Culture: Work alongside talented engineers in an environment that values innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
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Competitive Pay & Stability: Earn 71.23/hour with a consistent weekday schedule and flexible start times.
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Career Growth: Gain exposure to cutting-edge energy projects with a globally recognized industry leader.
Ready to Engineer the Future?
If you’re a seasoned Controls Engineer passionate about solving complex problems and advancing clean energy solutions, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and take the next step in powering a more sustainable world with PDS Tech Commercial.
Pay Details: 71.23 per hour
Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Military connected talent encouraged to apply
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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
- The California Fair Chance Act
- Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
- Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
- San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.