Substation Protection & Control Engineer

Job Category
:
Engineer

Requisition Number
: SUBST
004187

• Posted :
  January 8, 2026
• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Showing 1 location

Lisle, IL
2300 Cabot Suite 395
Lisle, IL 60532, USA

Lisle, IL
2300 Cabot Suite 395
Lisle, IL 60532, USA

GAI Consultants is seeking an Engineer 2 (Protection & Controls) for substation-related work. This position will perform substation and protection and controls design, technical guidance/training/mentoring of staff, design reviews, QA/QC review, and enforcement related to all aspects of protection & controls design services. The successful candidate will work on various protection and control engineering projects including detailed design for high voltage substation projects through 500kV, with a focus on a “Client First” approach to all interactions.

#INDHP, #LI-JB1

Job Duties:

• Manage, design, and perform QA/QC checks related to technical activities including, but not limited to, the following:
• Development of and/or revisions to existing drawings for one-lines, physical arrangement, grounding, schematics and wiring, control and relaying panels and equipment wiring including coordinating with CAD operators to develop organized quality CAD drawings.
• Integrate protection and control drawings to interface with the physical layout and design of substations.
• Design of interfacing with SCADA systems and communications including RTUs, HMIs, and IEDs.
• Development of control and relay panel layouts including assembling the specifications.
• Creation of project criteria.
• Development of design specifications including the overall bill of materials.
• Design and sizing of auxiliary systems including AC/DC load centers as well as batteries and chargers.
• Design and sizing of conduit, cable, and backup generators.
• Ordering long-lead item materials.
• Point to Point checks.
• Review junior engineer’s designs, verify they meet client standards and specifications, and identify gaps in client’s protection.
• Document QAQC reviews, maintain record documents, and communicate information to the team.
• Traveling to other offices and meeting with clients and attending project-specific meetings on a regular basis.
• Managing tasks on multiple projects in accordance with GAI’s high standards of project management.
• Managing and assisting with the development of the scope of services and cost estimates for Substation and P&C projects.
• Ability to manage competing priorities using sound engineering and financial judgment to determine optimal solutions.
• Must be flexible to handle shifting deadlines and scope changes.
• Must have resource management skills and the ability to identify project barriers and mitigate them without schedule impacts.
• Must be able to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously and be able to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines and unexpected developments.
• Ability to work extended hours or after hours when required.

General Characteristics

• Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific practice area.
• Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
• Leads tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes.
• Develops plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Selects appropriate principles of engineering economics, and probability and statistics to analyze risk in a complex engineering problem.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 6+ Years of Experience

Education

• B.S. or M.S. Engineering

Certification/Licensure

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License

Technical Responsibilities

• Designs a complete project, system, component, or process.
• Prepares complete plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Designs and conducts analyses and interprets test data.
• Begins to develop and reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.
• Project and Task Management
• Assigns tasks to other technical and non-technical staff.
• Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the engineering work.
• Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments.
• Assists with proposals to provide professional services or obtain funding for engineering projects or projects.

Management Responsibility

• Receives general direction on key objectives. Receives guidance on…