Lead Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : San Diego, CA, 92101
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 6 January 2026
Description
This position allows for a hybrid work schedule with a mix of work spent in office and working remote from home.
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.
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
In San Diego, the salary range for a Lead Electrical Engineer 2 typically spans $131,960 to $205,330 annually. This aligns competitively with national averages for senior electrical engineers in power grid sectors, reflecting the region's demand for specialized protection and control expertise within high voltage substation engineering.
San Diego's coastal environment introduces specific engineering challenges like corrosion-resistant equipment specifications and grid reliability under varied weather conditions. Lead engineers must integrate local utility standards and navigate regulatory frameworks while ensuring designs are robust for Southern California's evolving energy landscape.
Proficiency in protective relaying, control systems, and telecommunications for high voltage substations is critical. Mastery of design tools such as SKM or ETAP, alongside knowledge of NEC, IEEE, and ANSI standards, empowers engineers to develop precise relay philosophies and coordinate complex substation upgrades effectively.
The lead role extends beyond technical tasks to include guiding engineering teams, mentoring junior staff, and liaising with clients and vendors. It demands a blend of advanced technical insight and leadership skills to oversee project phases, ensure quality control, and drive successful substation modernization initiatives.
At Sargent & Lundy, advancing beyond Lead Electrical Engineer 2 may lead to senior project management or specialized technical expert roles. The company’s peer-learning communities and mentorship programs support growth, facilitating transitions into higher leadership or niche engineering disciplines within power grid technologies.
Sargent & Lundy fosters a collaborative environment where Lead Electrical Engineers act as technical anchors and mentors. This role is pivotal in bridging client needs with engineering solutions, emphasizing knowledge sharing and cross-disciplinary coordination to maintain their award-winning standards in utility electrical engineering.
Yes, Sargent & Lundy offers hybrid work schedules, extensive health plans, paid parental leave, and flexible work arrangements. These benefits support Lead Electrical Engineers in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which is reflected in the company’s consecutive Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards.
San Diego’s demand for experienced power systems engineers is strong due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades and renewable integration efforts. However, the competition remains selective, with employers favoring candidates possessing PE licensure, extensive substation protection experience, and proficiency in regional grid standards.
A Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly regarded, often required for senior roles. Additional certifications focusing on power systems protection, relay coordination, and knowledge of IEEE and NEC standards enhance a candidate’s standing in San Diego’s competitive electrical engineering job market.
This position directly impacts project success by steering design accuracy, ensuring code compliance, and optimizing relay and control system configurations. The Lead Electrical Engineer also manages interdisciplinary collaboration and quality assurance, crucial for delivering reliable, client-aligned substation modernization solutions.