Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP)

About the Role

WSP USA is seeking an Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP) for our Freeport, Maine office. This role is also open to candidates in Orlando, Florida; Fort Mill, North Carolina; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Syracuse, New York. You will be involved in projects within the Power Delivery ESSP department, contributing to a growing organization focused on meeting client objectives and solving challenges.

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:

• Perform short circuit and symmetrical component analysis.

• Conduct time-current coordination studies.

• Develop protection schemes and criteria.

• Calculate relay settings.

• Integrate with SCADA systems.

• Ensure NERC compliance.

• Perform arc flash analysis.

• Applicable software: AcSELerator Quickset (SEL-5030), AcSELerator Architect, GE Enervista, ASPEN Oneliner, SKM-PTW, ETAP, RSCAD/RTDS.

• Power System Planning Studies:

• Conduct steady-state real and reactive power flow, including outage contingencies.

• Perform generation interconnect feasibility studies.

• Analyze P-V and Q-V for voltage stability margins.

• Assess dynamic stability performance.

• Automate large batch simulations.

• Work with models from NERC regional entities (e.g., WECC, MRO, SERC).

• Ensure NERC compliance.

• Applicable software: PSS/E, PSLF, PowerWorld, Python Scripting.

• Design Studies:

• Perform substation grounding studies.

• Analyze corona and electric and magnetic fields.

• Conduct insulation coordination studies (lightning, switching surge, contamination performance).

• Perform transient (time domain) simulations.

• Analyze power quality (harmonics, voltage flicker, over/under voltage, etc.).

• Conduct motor starting studies.

• Analyze 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 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 for fundamental components 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 on 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 a recent Engineering Graduate (Bachelor’s Degree) or enrolled in a university pursuing an engineering degree.

• 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).