Senior System Protection Engineer - Hydro & Pumping

Senior System Protection Engineer - Hydro & Pumping

Ulteig is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sr. Protection Engineer (Hydro & Pumping) within the Automation, Integration, and System Protection (AISP) Department. This position is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and commissioning protection and control systems, primarily for hydroelectric facilities and associated substations, while also providing broader support across Ulteig's system protection engineering initiatives.

This role requires periodic travel throughout California to support field activities, which may include site walkdowns, commissioning, troubleshooting, demolition and construction support, and other related tasks. Candidates must be based in California and willing to travel statewide, and occasionally out of state, as project needs require. The Sr. Protection Engineer acts as a technical leader and will plan, schedule, and coordinate detailed phases of assigned project work.

Develop complete design packages for protective relay replacement projects that include one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, panel layouts, electrical schematics, wiring connection diagrams, communication diagrams, and other associated deliverables.

Perform field demolition and construction support, lead on-site commissioning activities, and lead on-site or remote troubleshooting support for protective relay replacement projects.

Provide technical guidance to engineers and technicians

Apply protection system engineering practices and principles in the following areas: transmission line, bus, transformer, capacitor bank, reactor bank, feeder, generator, motor, and communication-assisted protection schemes

Develop relay settings files, create or update calculation worksheet templates, develop test plans, and perform protection system event analysis

Create SCADA point lists, remote terminal unit (RTU) programs, human-machine interfaces (HMI's), meter programs, metering overviews, and calculations

Develop plans, specifications, and observation reports to see that these items are complete, accurate, and in accordance with sound engineering practice

Apply current, standard engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria to complete engineering tasks

Practice efficiency engineering as it pertains to design selection

Recommend alterations to development and design to improve quality

Prepare reports and correspondence concerning the direction of assigned projects

Effectively communicate and interact with clients to ensure we are meeting their needs

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (or equivalent) required;
Master's Degree in Engineering is a plus

Licensure:
Professional Engineer (PE) registration required

Experience:

8+ years of engineering experience required; commissioning experience is a plus.

Design Deliverables:
Experience producing and/or reviewing one-lines, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, control panel elevations, and bills of materials (BOMs).

Commissioning:
On-site commissioning experience in one or more of the following is a plus: CT/PT wiring injection and verification, Protective relay testing, End-to-end relay testing, Functional verification of protection schemes, CT/PT burden/load verification

Field Support:
Experience providing on-site demolition and construction engineering support is a plus

Troubleshooting:
Experience troubleshooting protection and control schemes is a plus

Technical Knowledge:
Working knowledge of HV substation equipment and MV electrical apparatus, including station service, MV switch gear, and protective relaying.

Protection Applications:
Experience applying protection engineering practices for one or more of the following: transmission line, bus, transformer, capacitor bank, reactor bank, feeder, generator, motor, and communications-assisted protection schemes

Standards:
Familiarity with protection and control design standards is a plus

Compliance:
Familiarity with NERC PRC standards is a plus

SCADA:
Knowledge of SCADA systems and programming is a plus.

Codes:
Knowledge of NEC and California Electrical Code (CEC) is a plus.

Technical Tools:
Proficiency in SEL AcSELerator Quickset, SEL AcSELerator RTAC, SEL SynchoWAVe, ASPEN One Liner, GE Enervista UR Setup, Easy Power, ETAP, and AutoCAD is a plus

General Tools:
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access);
Copilot/GenAI prompting

Work Style:
Effective in dynamic, team-driven, in-office settings and self-directed when working remotely

Culture Add:
Demonstrates a positive, collaborative mindset and actively contributes to a respectful, team-first culture by bringing energy, accountability, and constructive communication to daily work

Travel:
Willingness to travel 20–30% of the time (may vary by project)

Driving:
Valid driver's license and ability to meet company driving standards.

Work…