Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP)

About the Role

WSP is initiating a search for an Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP) for our Freeport, Maine office. The following locations will also be considered: Orlando, Florida; Fort Mill, North Carolina; Ann Arbor Michigan; and Syracuse, New York.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform electrical studies.
• Develop and troubleshoot Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for utility and industrial/commercial clients.
• Applicable power systems primarily include conventional and renewable generation facilities, substations, transmission systems, and distribution systems.
• Perform protective relaying tasks, including:
• 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
• Perform power system planning studies, including:
• 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
• Perform design studies, including:
• 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
• Perform networking and communications tasks, including:
• 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
• Perform logic and control systems tasks, including:
• 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
• Perform data acquisition tasks, including:
• 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, etc.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Must be a recent Engineering Graduate (Bachelor’s Degree), or enrolled in a university pursuing a degree in engineering.
• Preferred: Within one (1) year of graduation.
• Preferred: GPA above 3.0/4.0.
• Preferred: 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.
• Preferred: Internships and experience in technical areas and software listed in the Job Description section.
• Preferred: Engineer In Training (EIT) certification, with the expectation to work toward professional engineering registration (PE).