Protection and Control Design Engineer

Under the direction of the Manager, Protection and Control Engineering performs various technical studies and engineering designs to ensure the appropriate controls systems and protection schemes are utilized on the company’s electric grid. The team works closely with other Technical Operations groups, Electric Distribution Engineering, System Planning, Generation Services, and Marketing in assisting with a wide variety of technical issues. The group assists in troubleshooting any protection challenges that appear. Initial duties will include familiarization with the engineering documents and drawings. Other duties include :

• Design protective relay systems, metering, and SCADA by referencing standards, past projects, new research, regulations, and system requirements in order to ensure reliability and safety
• Perform design relating to the company’s electric substations, transmission lines, and generation equipment that ensures the proper controls systems and fault protection schemes
• Specify substation protective equipment based on required schemes and standards
• Familiar with specifying substation equipment using substation ratings (e.g., bus, ground mat, switches, power circuit breakers, transformers, relay panels, instrumentation, capacitor banks, reactor banks) to ensure the system is reliable
• Gather and analyze system ratings (e.g., voltage, power ratings, ampacity, system impedance, CT ratios, and relay settings) by researching substation current conditions and configurations to provide data to reporting agencies (i.e., SPP, NERC, FERC) and meet new system requirements
• Develop relay one-line diagrams by utilizing relevant information specified by other groups and standards
• Produce detailed system protection and control project scopes and cost estimates to assist in multi-year projects and budget planning by using data from previous projects, bids, and research in order to ensure accuracy and completion of tasks on time and on budget
• Support both operations and construction personnel as needed in troubleshooting, failure analysis, mis-operations, testing assistance, commissioning assistance, and other technical duties by analyzing data and providing findings in order to resolve problems (e.g., equipment failures, construction issues, drawings, event reports)
• Prepare and study technical drawings and specifications of protection systems and equipment to ensure that installation and operations conform to requirements (e.g., Company, protection, code)
• Create alternative system designs by utilizing engineering principles, knowledge, and experience in order to improve system performance
• Direct designers and technicians by reviewing work and monitoring progress in order to ensure compliance with safety and regulations
• Act as a technical resource for internal customers by answering questions and providing information in order to support Company projects
• Visit project sites to collect design information, troubleshoot, and ensure project commissioning

Education and Experience :

Requires a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited program. The preferred candidate will have utility experience directly related to electric substation, generation, and transmission line equipment control and fault protection systems.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities :

A successful candidate needs knowledge of basic engineering principles and advanced mathematics. The highly required knowledge and skills in electric power engineering including :

Licenses, Certification, Bonding and / or Testing :

Valid driver's license required. Professional Engineering registration is desirable but not required.

Working Conditions :

Most work is performed in an office setting. Requires some field work within energized substations, operating powerplants, utility right-of-ways, and construction sites in general. Position may require routine travel between the general offices in Topeka, KS and in Wichita, KS. Some work might be required beyond normal working hours depending on workload, project deadlines, and service restoration efforts. Must have a satisfactory work record including good attendance.

Disclaimer : The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.