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Protection Engineer - Senior Professional

WSP
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 14 May 2026

About the role

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Protection Engineer – Senior Professional for our Richmond, VA office.  Be involved in projects with our Distribution Studies Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.  

This Opportunity

The successful applicant will be responsible for successful completion of assigned projects and for maintaining and improving client relationships.  Completion of these functions requires technical competence in primary production roles as well as competence in working with clients and mentoring team members assigned to projects.  Assigned projects will include electrical studies and/or protective relay settings for utility and industrial/commercial clients.  Systems to be analyzed will include conventional and renewable generation facilities, substations, and transmission and distribution systems. 

 

The level of this engineer requires an individual who has experience participating in the proposal writing process as well as enjoys customer contact to help in developing new opportunities for WSP. This person must be able to self-manage, with a strong conceptualization ability and strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills – including the capability to explain complex technical issues at a variety of levels to decision-makers and project teams. 

Your Impact

  • Protective Relaying: short circuit and symmetrical component analysis, time-current coordination, protection scheme and criteria development, relay settings, integration with SCADA systems, NERC compliance, arc flash analysis.
  • Grid Mod Support: FLISR, VVO/IVVC/CVR, Advanced Distribution Management Systems
  • Distribution Planning Support: Operational and outage studies, power quality analysis, fault event reviews 
  • Applicable software:      AcSELerator Quickset, AcSELerator Architect, GE Enervista, ASPEN Oneliner, CAPE, Synergi, CYMEDist, CYME TCC
  • 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. 
  • Possess the ability to interact with a wide variety of people to obtain the required information needed for performance of electrical distribution system studies
  • Lead and perform engineering tasks associated with a critical or analytical engineering project or a small number of complex projects that require specialized knowledge in many areas.
  • Exercise authority and technical leadership on assignments that are often self-initiated and self-directed. Assignments are strategic and have significant long-term implications to achievement of overall business objectives.
  • Track project scopes, schedules and budgets
  • Participate in industry working groups or standards (IEEE, CIGRE, IEC, ANSI) 
  • Participate as a presenter in industry conferences 
  • Possess the ability to learn/support other distribution disciplines such as Protection and Grid Modernization
  • Successful candidates must be willing to travel on occasion and work successfully in a customer focused, project-oriented environment.

Ideal candidates would:

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

  • A Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), Computer Science (BSCS) or Computer Engineering (BSCE) graduate from an ABET accredited university.
  • 5 to 7 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for large capital projects.
  • Engineer in Training Certification.
  • Must be willing to travel on occasion.
  • Understanding of basic engineering theories and principles, including understanding of basic practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
  • Must have strong command of English language; experience and demonstrated written and oral communications skills, including the ability to present information, facilitate meetings and provide direction to others
  • Must be able to successfully pass client's background screening process
  • 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:

  • Registered Professional Engineers (PE) Licensure 
  • Power Systems focused MSEE 
  • A proven history of co

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Company

WSP

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