Lead Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 7 January 2026
Description
Responsibilities:
- This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of protective relaying and controls systems for HV and EHV substations. As a Project Lead of an engineering and design team, you will work on a wide range of substation modifications and upgrades to support client requirements and reviews including creating calculations, document designs, and specifications.
- You will be responsible for preparing relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment, developing SCADA and telecommunication concepts and configurations, and overseeing the preparation of I/O assignments and connection diagrams.
- As a Project Lead Electrical Engineer, you will be responsible for guiding junior and senior-level engineers and designers in protection and controls engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of the engineering work.
- You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of engineering issues.
- You will perform analysis and design of single line diagrams, substation relaying & metering diagrams (i.e. A.C. schematic diagrams), and D.C. Schematic diagrams.
- Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review.
- Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
- Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
- Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
- Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
- Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
- There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.
This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with the expectation of spending three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.
Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BSEE with a power systems or controls emphasis from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
- 12 or more years experience with a focus on protection / control / telecommunications for high voltage substations; including design, installation, and coordination.
- PE license.
- Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
- Experience in writing and providing support documentation for relay calculations.
- Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Proficiency with any of the following programs: SKM, ETAP, ASPEN, CDEGS, or vendor software.
- Familiarity with design codes and standards, such as NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI.
- Experience with various vendor protective relay equipment typically used in substation protection, including SEL, ABB, GE, Areva, and Basler.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- Prior experience is desirable to include in-line, bus and equipment protection, breaker, transformer and similar equipment control, RTU and data concentrator based SCADA systems, telemetering and communications (fiber optics, microwave, power line carrier, etc.).
- AutoCAD or MicroStation experience.
- Construction and start-up experience.
- Testing or commissioning experience.
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$131,960.00 - $205,330.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
Pittsburgh's growing infrastructure investments have heightened the need for experienced grid engineers, making Lead Electrical Engineer positions quite sought after. The competition blends seasoned professionals with local power systems expertise, so demonstrating deep knowledge in HV substation protections can significantly improve your chances.
In Pittsburgh's power systems market, holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly valued, especially for lead roles managing grid projects. Familiarity with regional standards like NEC and NESC further enhances employability, reflecting local compliance needs and industry best practices.
Expertise in protective relaying, control systems, and telecommunications for high-voltage substations is vital. Mastery over software like SKM, ETAP, or vendor-specific tools, paired with proven leadership in coordinating engineering teams, defines success in this senior grid engineering role.
Managing complex relay coordination, troubleshooting protection schemes, and ensuring seamless integration of SCADA systems pose common challenges. Balancing design accuracy with field verification while mentoring junior staff requires both technical depth and strong project management skills.
Progression often leads to senior project management or specialized consultancy roles within power systems. Developing expertise in emerging grid technologies and expanding leadership over multidisciplinary teams can open paths to executive engineering positions or strategic planning roles.
Sargent & Lundy fosters a collaborative environment emphasizing peer learning and mentorship among engineers. Their award-winning benefits and flexible hybrid work approach support a balanced lifestyle, encouraging innovation while valuing employee well-being in the power systems domain.
Besides competitive compensation, Sargent & Lundy provides comprehensive health plans and career development through communities of practice, which is rare in engineering firms. Their commitment to continuous learning and onsite client coordination opportunities distinguishes them in the utility engineering space.
Base salaries typically span from $131,960 to $205,330 annually, reflecting experience and technical expertise. When paired with Sargent & Lundy’s robust benefits like 401(k), paid leave, and bonuses, total compensation becomes highly competitive in the Pittsburgh power engineering market.
Travel to client sites and vendor offices occurs occasionally for design reviews and construction coordination, offering practical field interaction. The hybrid work setup with three days onsite balances travel demands with remote flexibility, supporting a manageable work-life rhythm.
This lead role uniquely blends hands-on protective relay selection, SCADA system configuration, and team leadership in substation projects. The responsibility to mentor engineers while overseeing complex design phases sets it apart from more execution-focused electrical engineering jobs.