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Senior Substation Engineer – Protection & Controls

Nexus Engineering Group
Oak Brook, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 13 Aug 2026

About the role

Nexus Engineering Group is employee-owned, full-service, and built by the people who do the work. As a Senior Substation Engineer – Protection & Controls, you’ll lead the protection, control, and wiring design that brings high-voltage substation projects to life.

You’ll lead the protection & control engineering and design work of high-voltage substation projects — single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring and control documentation, and the complete drawing packages that make a project constructible. Applying advanced technical standards, you’ll coordinate across disciplines, clients, and vendors; check and guide the work of other engineers and designers; and serve as a technical anchor the team and clients rely on.

Why Nexus

    You’ll own a piece of what you build. Nexus is employee-owned through our ESOP, so the value you help create comes back to you — not just outside shareholders. We give senior engineers real ownership of the work and a voice in how it’s done.

    What you can expect:

  • Employee ownership (ESOP) — build equity in the firm as it grows
  • Ownership of high-voltage substation P&C design, from single-line to constructible package
  • A senior seat — lead design execution, check others’ work, and mentor engineers and designers
  • Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base
  • Career paths that grow with you — toward technical leadership, project management, or discipline leadership
  • Flexible work arrangements where business needs allow

What You’ll Do

  • Lead the protection, control, and wiring design of substation projects of varying size and complexity — single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and supporting documentation in CAD.
  • Develop and oversee protection and control deliverables: relay and control schematics, wiring documentation, cable and conduit schedules, nameplates, and related project documentation.
  • Apply advanced-to-expert design standards and client-specific documentation requirements across your projects.
  • Coordinate with drafters, designers, other disciplines, clients, vendors, and project managers to resolve design issues and deliver complete, constructible packages.
  • Perform formal checking of small-to-medium project deliverables, applying client processes and standards to review others’ work.
  • Provide input to project schedules and updates when acting in a lead capacity, accounting for cross-discipline interdependencies.
  • Provide clear technical direction, mentoring, and guidance to less-experienced engineers and design staff.
  • Strengthen client confidence through sound design decisions, responsive coordination, reliable execution, and reduced rework.

What We’re Looking For

    Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
  • 6+ years of substation, power delivery, protection and controls, or electrical design experience.
  • Advanced knowledge of substation protection and controls design — single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring documentation, cable/conduit information, nameplates, and client-specific documentation.
  • Strong working knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, NEC, and NESC standards.
  • Proficiency with CAD, including AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
  • Demonstrated project leadership on substation projects.
  • A valid driver’s license — driving to and between project and substation sites is an essential function of this role, and some sites are not accessible by public transportation.
  • Preferred Qualifications

  • Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain licensure in the near future.
  • Experience leading protection and controls design for high-voltage utility, industrial, or EPC substation projects.
  • Experience checking or reviewing substation protection and controls design packages.
  • Familiarity with client-specific design standards, project documentation requirements, and construction-support processes.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

    This position is performed in a combination of office and active project-site environments. This role may require:

  • Frequent travel to project and substation sites, some not accessible by public transportation (a valid driver’s license is required)
  • Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation, with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Field visits that may involve exposure to weather, energized electrical equipment, noise, and heavy equipment; required PPE must be worn on site
  • The ability to walk uneven terrain and access outdoor substation yards and elevated or

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Company

Nexus Engineering Group

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