Lead Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Woodbridge, NJ, 07095
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 6 January 2026
Description
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
Woodbridge, NJ hosts a growing demand for power systems engineers, especially those skilled in substation protection and controls. Competition is moderate, with local utilities and consultancies valuing professionals experienced in relay coordination and grid upgrades, making technical expertise a key differentiator.
In New Jersey, having a Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly regarded for electrical engineers focused on grid infrastructure. Familiarity with standards like NEC, NESC, and IEEE further strengthens candidacy, reflecting regional regulatory and safety compliance expectations.
Managing complex relay selections and integrating SCADA communications are critical challenges. Ensuring seamless coordination between protection devices and adapting designs to client-specific needs requires deep troubleshooting skills and leadership in directing multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
Mastery of vendor-specific relay software like SEL or ABB, proficiency in power system analysis tools such as ETAP or SKM, and strong command over telecommunications protocols elevate career trajectories by enabling engineers to lead sophisticated grid modernization projects effectively.
This role uniquely blends hands-on technical design of protective relaying schemes with mentorship of junior engineers. It demands oversight of detailed engineering deliverables and client interactions, focusing on high voltage substation reliability and system protection coordination.
At Sargent & Lundy, the Lead Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid acts as the linchpin for technical design and cross-functional collaboration, steering protection and control strategies while fostering knowledge sharing through their communities of practice to improve project outcomes.
Candidates are expected to liaise effectively with clients and vendors, occasionally traveling for design reviews or construction coordination. This hybrid role balances office presence with remote work while demanding proactive communication for seamless project execution.
Sargent & Lundy offers a salary between $131,960 and $205,330 for this role, aligning with upper-tier compensation for electrical engineers in power systems nationwide, reflecting the seniority and specialized expertise required for grid protection and controls.
One common myth is that this role is purely office-based design work; in reality, it involves troubleshooting complex relay issues, coordinating field verifications, and mentoring engineers, combining both analytical and leadership responsibilities essential for grid reliability.
Woodbridge’s connectivity to major transit routes facilitates manageable commutes, supporting the company’s hybrid model. Engineers benefit from flexible schedules that ease daily travel stress, promoting a balanced professional and personal lifestyle within the area.