Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP)

About the Role

WSP is seeking an Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP) for its Freeport, Maine office. The role also considers candidates for Orlando, Florida; Fort Mill, North Carolina; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Syracuse, New York. This position is within the Power Delivery ESSP department, focusing on projects for utility and industrial/commercial clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform electrical studies.
• Develop and troubleshoot Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
• Applicable power systems include conventional and renewable generation facilities, substations, transmission systems, and distribution systems.

Specific Study Areas & Applicable Software/Protocols

• 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 for data transfer 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, field equipment applications, and operations.

• Write technical reports summarizing research findings and conclusions, utilizing sketches, calculations, electronic systems, spreadsheets, and software.

• Assist technical staff and project managers with risk identification and assessment, providing input and analysis on design concepts, construction, mitigation, improvement activities, and remediation projects.

• Work with cross-functional teams (project controls, business deployment, construction, procurement, document control, permitting) on project execution.

• 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, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:

• Recent Engineering Graduate (Bachelor’s Degree) or enrolled in a university pursuing an engineering degree.

• Analytical mindset with the ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective interaction with engineering and non-engineering audiences.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team.

• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.

• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and adherence to WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.

• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements, which may extend beyond the typical workweek.

• Occasional travel may be required.

• Preferred Qualifications:

• Within one (1) year of graduation.

• GPA above 3.0/4.0.

• Completed 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.

• Engineer In Training (EIT) certification, with the expectation to work toward professional engineering registration (PE).