Distribution Protection Engineer

Location: Richmond, VA, United States

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Professional Electrical Engineer with an emphasis on Distribution Protection for our Richmond, VA office. The following locations will also be considered: Fort Mill, SC, Atlanta, GA. Be involved in projects with our Distribution Advanced Studies Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.

This role offers an opportunity to lead and support a broad range of project-based work for electric utility clients, with a primary focus on distribution protection. The selected candidate will lead the development and review of protection-related solutions for utility distribution systems, including relay settings, device coordination, DER interconnections, arc flash support, event analysis, and grid modernization applications. Work will involve collaborating with utility clients, internal project teams, and equipment vendors to evaluate system conditions, apply sound engineering judgment, and deliver practical recommendations that improve safety, reliability, and operational performance. This is a strong fit for an engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, coordinating work across multiple projects, and serving as a trusted protection resource within a collaborative advanced studies team.

Your Impact:

• The qualified candidate will be responsible for the performance of electrical protection for the utility electrical distribution systems (Typically defined as 34.5kV and below), including:
  • Distribution Circuit Breaker Protection
  • DER Interconnection Protection
  • Line Recloser Protection
  • Line Equipment Protection (Transformers, Capacitor Banks, Regulators, etc.) 
  • Grid Modernization Protection Applications (Wildfire Mitigation, FLISR, etc.)
  • Arc Flash 
  • Event Analysis and Root Cause Analysis
• Develop, review, and implement protection philosophies, relay settings, and technical recommendations to support safe, reliable, and efficient operation of utility distribution systems.
• Interact with utility clients, equipment vendors, and internal stakeholders to obtain information, develop study assumptions, and support project execution
• Lead and perform engineering tasks associated with complex technical projects requiring specialized knowledge of protection, automation, and utility operations.
• Execute and coordinate engineering work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and quality reviews for junior engineers and project team members.
• Collaborate with professionals and engineers across disciplines on project execution, proposal development, and business development opportunities.
• Support WSP's technical leadership through participation in industry working groups, standards committees, technical publications, and conference presentations.
• Some travel should be expected
• Ability to learn/support other disciplines such as Grid Mod, Planning, and SCADA.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).

Required Qualifications

• 7 - 10 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for large capital projects.
• Understanding of basic to advanced engineering theories and principles, including understanding of basic practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Ability to work across teams, is self-motivated to perform assigned tasks, and take the initiative to learn new topics
• Must have strong command of English language; experience and demonstrated written and oral communications skills, including the ability to present information, facilitate meetings and provide direction to others
• Must be able to successfully pass client's background screening processes
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s Degree in Engineering. 
• Professional Engineer (PE) Licensure.
• Experience managing small to mid-size projects.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation: 

Expected Salary (all locations): $107,600yr - $183,000yr 

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law. 

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