Protection & Control Engineer

Overview

GAI Consultants is seeking a Protection & Control Engineer 2 for substation‑related work. This position will perform substation and protection and controls design, provide technical guidance/training/mentoring of staff, conduct design reviews, QA/QC reviews, and enforce 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 500 kV, with a focus on a "Client First" approach to all interactions.

• Manage, design, and perform QA/QC checks related to technical activities, including the development or revision of existing drawings for one‑lines, physical arrangement, grounding, schematics, wiring, control and relaying panels and equipment wiring, 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 interface with SCADA systems and communications including RTUs, HMIs, and IEDs.
• Develop control and relay panel layouts, including assembling specifications.
• Create project criteria and develop design specifications, including the overall bill of materials.
• Design and size auxiliary systems such as AC/DC load centers, batteries, and chargers.
• Design and size conduit, cable, and backup generators.
• Order long‑lead item materials and perform point‑to‑point checks.
• Review junior engineer designs, verify compliance with client standards and specifications, and identify gaps in client protection.
• Document QA/QC reviews, maintain record documents, and communicate information to the team.
• Travel to other offices, meet with clients, and attend project‑specific meetings regularly.
• Manage tasks on multiple projects in accordance with GAI's high standards of project management.
• Assist with the development of the scope of services and cost estimates for substation and P&C projects.
• Manage competing priorities using sound engineering and financial judgment to determine optimal solutions.
• Adapt to shifting deadlines and scope changes.
• Apply resource management skills and identify project barriers to mitigate them without schedule impacts.
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously while working effectively under pressure and unexpected developments.
• Work extended hours or after hours when required.

• Work indoors in professional office settings.
• Sit for extended periods while performing computer‑based tasks.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Visual acuity to read printed materials, digital screens, detailed documents, and perform detailed work.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching within the office environment; ability to move between workstations and attend in‑person meetings.
• Lift and carry office materials or equipment weighing up to 10‑20 pounds, with or without assistance.
• Adequate hearing to participate in conversations, phone calls, and virtual meetings.
• Travel for meetings, training, or business purposes.

• Apply broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific practice area.
• Independently evaluate, select, and adapt standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
• Lead tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes.
• Develop plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Apply engineering economics, probability, and statistics to analyze risk in complex engineering problems.

• 6+ years of experience.

• B.S. or M.S. Engineering (Bachelors of Engineering required).

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License required.

• Design a complete project, system, component, or process.
• Prepare complete plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Design and conduct analyses and interpret test data.
• Develop and review complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.

• Assign tasks to other technical and non‑technical staff.
• Plan and coordinate detailed aspects of engineering work.
• Prepare scopes, budgets, and…