Protection & Controls Engineer

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)! NOVEC's mission is to create value for its members, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable electricity and quality products at competitive prices.

NOVEC is a locally owned electric distribution system headquartered in Manassas, VA. NOVEC provides reliable electric service to more than 180,000 homes and businesses in Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. NOVEC's service reliability is the best in the region with a 99.99% average system reliability.

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)! NOVEC's mission is to create value for its members, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable electricity and quality products at competitive prices.

NOVEC is a locally owned electric distribution system headquartered in Manassas, VA. NOVEC provides reliable electric service to more than 180,000 homes and businesses in Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. NOVEC's service reliability is the best in the region with a 99.99% average system reliability.

As a leader on the high-tech frontier, NOVEC is using proven, cost-effective technology to improve productivity and reliability, reduce expenses, and increase cybersecurity – a national priority. Today’s technology includes what the industry calls "smart grid", as well as fiber optics, and mobile workforce.

We are seeking an experienced Protection & Controls Engineer to join the Engineering team at our office in Gainesville, Virginia!

The selected candidate will be eligible to work a hybrid work schedule after successfully completing an on-site introductory period (typically 6 months).

Relocation assistance is available for the successful eligible candidate.

NOVEC is unable to provide work authorization or sponsorship for this position.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE:

Design the substation systems and relay settings used in the control and operation of utility transmission and distribution facilities. Analyze the performance of protective relay operations to ensure reliability and proper coordination of the overall electric system. Provide guidance, oversight and direction for technical services personnel for substation maintenance and installation activities. Create equipment specifications and standards for substation protection, automation, and communications equipment and oversee the operation of these systems.

Conducts engineering and operational studies and provides recommendations in order to provide safe, reliable, and economical substation plans and designs according to established cooperative guidelines. Independently evaluates, selects, and applies standard engineering techniques and procedures while using judgment when making adaptations and modifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engineer protection system settings and systems. Review and approve recommended settings from SE&P engineers jointly with operations staff.

Create detailed control schematics, wiring diagrams, and protection logic drawings.

Investigate and analyze system disturbances and relay operations to determine root cause and recommend system improvements.

Develop, coordinate, update and maintain relay settings database, test standards, and maintenance procedures.

Ensure compliance with reliability policies and NERC and other industry standards and other programs such as special protection systems (SPS), and underfrequency load shedding (UFLS).

Direct maintenance personnel in the installation, verification, and upgrade of substation protection, communication, and control equipment.

Support system operations group during outages and emergencies with analysis of digital fault data and relay sequence of operations review.

Develop accurate and economical substation construction drawings using computer-aided design software.

Develop requirements for the protection of facilities by preparing specifications for protective equipment, coordination studies, and switching orders as required by systems additions.

Assist other members of the department in the analysis of the electrical and telecommunication systems using computerized engineering models and business databases to design improvements and additions to the electrical system based on cost- benefit ratio.

Review new and upgraded substation construction drawings to ensure accuracy and compliance with RUS specifications, National Electrical Safety Code Standards, local ordinances, NOVEC policies, NOVEC construction specifications, and S&T Department guidelines.

Review construction projects to ensure compliance with RUS specifications, National Electrical Safety Code Standards, local ordinances, NOVEC policies, and S&T Department guidelines.

Prepare and implement short and long-range work plans.

Determine material specifications and selections, and monitors construction and field engineering activities to ensure adherence to work plan schedules for system improvements.

Coordinate the design, construction, and testing activities for additions and improvements to the substation system.

Provide support to System Operations Department as outlined in the Cooperative's Service Restoration Plan.

Work continually towards self-development to stay cognizant of substation and telecommunications technology.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The ideal candidate meets the below qualifications. Candidates with directly related experience who may not meet all of the criteria below are also welcome to apply.

The selected candidate will be placed into the appropriate level position (Engineer II, III, IV) based on education, experience, certifications, and licensure.

Three (3) years of protection and controls (P&C) engineering experience.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering field from an accredited institution is required. A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.

NCEES EIT certification or Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.

Electric utility experience is preferred. Substation experience is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

System protection experience in transient analysis, planning, stability, load flow, grounding analysis, short circuit and sectionalizing studies.

Knowledge of serial and Ethernet communications to design interconnections to protective relays and other systems used in system protection.

Ability to perform forensic analysis of protection system operations and determine root cause of malfunctions.

Working knowledge of higher math, calculus, vector algebra, symmetrical components.

Demonstrated knowledge of advanced system protection and control.

Demonstrated knowledge of power engineering principles and theories.

Demonstrated ability to function independently in a multi-task environment, as well as part of a team.

Demonstrated knowledge of all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and mathematical skills.

Demonstrated proficiency with general computer operation and Microsoft Office applications.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with all levels within the organization.

Demonstrated ability to respond to changing business needs by reassessing the impact on planned and scheduled work projects and then reprioritizing projects.

Demonstrated ability to design economical and practical system improvements; and operating and maintenance programs.

Demonstrated ability to create substation construction drawings using computer aided design software.

Demonstrated ability to carry out delegated work with minimum or no supervision.

Demonstrated ability to apply project management skills to construction projects.

WHAT WE OFFER:

- Competitive pay

- Premier health benefits, including an onsite wellness center

- Survivor and Disability benefits

- 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% base salary match and an additional match of your contribution at a rate of 50% up to the first 12%

- Life insurance

- Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave

- Educational Assistance

- Annual Company Events

NOVEC is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this position.