Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP)

About the Role

WSP USA is initiating a search for an Early Career Electrical Engineering (ESSP) for our Freeport, Maine office. Other considered locations include Orlando, Florida; Fort Mill, North Carolina; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Syracuse, New York. This role involves projects within the Power Delivery ESSP department.

This Opportunity

The successful applicant will be responsible for performing electrical studies and/or developing and troubleshooting supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for utility and industrial/commercial clients. Applicable power systems include conventional and renewable generation facilities, substations, transmission systems, and distribution systems.

Key Responsibilities

• 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

• Arc flash analysis

• Applicable software: AcSELerator Quickset (SEL-5030), AcSELerator Architect, GE Enervista, ASPEN Oneliner, 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, Python Scripting

• Design Studies:

• Substation grounding

• Corona and 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

• Networking and Communications:

• Design and configure network and communication paths for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), protective relays, meters, Human Machine Interface (HMIs), PLCs, 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

• Data Acquisition:

• Prepare points lists of all data to be transferred between control centers and controlled apparatus

• Assign and program data addressing and routing information

• Develop Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens

• Travel to project sites to test and commission data transfer schemes

• Applicable Software: Wonderware, Clearview, AcSELerator RTAC, Visual Basic, OSIPI, Python scripting

• Support senior engineers with research and recommendations of fundamental components identified in design requirements, as well as field equipment applications and operations.

• Write technical reports summarizing research 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.

• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work, including project controls, business deployment, construction, procurement, document control, and permitting teams.

• 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Required Qualifications:

• Must be recent Engineering Graduate (Bachelor’s Degree), or enrolled in a university pursuing a degree in engineering

• Analytical mindset with an ability to exercise sound judgment 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

• 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:

• Within one (1) year of graduation

• GPA above 3.0/4.0

• 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)