ESSP Electrical Engineer - Experienced Professional

This Opportunity  

WSP is currently initiating a search for an ESSP Electrical Engineer for our Phoenix, AZ office. Candidates located in San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA or Sacramento, CA will also be considered. Be involved in projects with our ESSP (Electrical Studies, SCADA & Protection) Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.    

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.  

The successful applicant will be responsible for performing services related to electrical studies, SCADA, and system protection.  Depending on project needs and individual expertise, this role may involve supporting a broad range of activities or specializing in a specific area as outlined under “Your Impact.” Candidates are not expected to be proficient in all listed areas, they are expected to have a fundamental understanding of three-phase power and power system fundamentals. Applicable power systems primarily include conventional and renewable generation facilities, substations, transmission systems, and distribution systems. Activities may include one or more of the following:   

Your Impact:   

• Protective Relaying: short circuit and symmetrical component analysis, time-current coordination, protection scheme and criteria development, relay settings calculation, integration with SCADA systems, NERC compliance, and arc flash analysis.  Applicable software:  AcSELerator Quickset (SEL-5030), AcSELerator Architect, GE EnerVista, ASPEN OneLiner, Gridscale X (CAPE), SKM-PTW, ETAP, RSCAD/RTDS   
• Power System Planning Studies: steady-state real and reactive power flow including outage contingencies, generation interconnect feasibility, P-V and Q-V analysis for voltage stability margins, dynamic stability performance, automation of large batch simulations, working with models from NERC regional entities (WECC, MRO, SERC etc.), NERC compliance. Applicable Software: PSS/E, PSLF, PowerWorld, DSA Tools, Python Scripting   
• Design Studies: substation grounding, corona, electric and magnetic fields, insulation coordination (lightning, switching surge, and contamination performance), transient (time domain) simulation, power quality (harmonics, voltage flicker, over/under voltage, etc.), motor starting, AC interference (transmission line interaction with railroads and pipelines). Applicable Software: CDEGS, ATP-EMTP, PSCAD, POLARIS-EMF, COMSOL Multiphysics, TFlash  
• Networking and Communications: design and configure network and communication paths for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), protective relays, meters, Human Machine Interface (HMIs), PLC’s and other SCADA system equipment; develop basic specifications for fiber optic, microwave, power line carrier, or radio communication paths; travel to project sites to troubleshoot and commission network and communication systems. Applicable network and communication protocols: DNP, Modbus, SEL Communication Protocol, Goose Messaging, IEC 61850   
• Logic and Control Systems: develop and implement logic and control schemes for remote and local operation of power system equipment; develop programs on various platforms for implementation of these schemes; travel to project sites to test and commission the control schemes.  Applicable Logic and Control Platforms: SEL RTAC, Orion, Cooper SMP, GE-D20   
• Write technical reports summarizing analysis with findings and conclusions, generating complete, accurate, and concise documentation using sketches, calculations, electronic systems, spreadsheets, and software.  
• Assist technical staff and project managers with risk identification and assessment, offering input and analysis with design concepts, construction, mitigation and improvement activities, and remediation projects.  
• Assist with work plan preparation and coordination of field/site work and permitting.  
• Complete training on assigned tasks.  
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.  
• 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.   

Who You Are:  

Required Qualifications   

• BSEE (BS Electrical Engineering), BSEET (BS Electrical Engineering Technology), or BSCE (BS Computer Engineering) degree, from an ABET-accredited university    
• 3 to 5 years of industry experience performing design or device configuration in technical disciplines described in the Roles and Responsibilities section     
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.  
• Analytical mindset with an ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions.  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.  
• Capable self-leadership with attention to detail, accuracy, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.  
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.  
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.  
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.   
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.  
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.  

Preferred Qualifications:    

• Power system courses covering topics such as three-phase power, load flow and reactive compensation, protective relaying, symmetrical components, transmission line theory, power system transients, dynamic stability, and power system electromagnetics   
• Internships and experience in technical areas and software listed in the Job Description section   
• Engineer In Training (EIT) certification, with the expectation to work toward professional engineering registration (PE)   
• Experience in mentoring others and/or providing technical leadership in customer-focused engineering projects    
• A member of and/or actively participates in professional practice organizations.  

Disclaimer:   
 • Relocation assistance is not available for this position.   

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 (California Only): $88,500yr - $151,000 yr 

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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