Lead Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Pasadena, CA, 91101
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 7 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 Pasadena, the complexity of high voltage substations requires Lead Electrical Engineers to deepen their knowledge in protective relaying and controls. Working on cutting-edge substation upgrades offers hands-on experience with relay coordination and SCADA configurations, enhancing both technical skills and leadership in power systems engineering.
Electrical Engineer 2 roles emphasize mastery in protective relay selection, SCADA system design, and telecommunications for high voltage substations. Proficiency with vendor-specific relay equipment and standards such as IEEE and NESC sets this position apart, demanding a combination of hands-on design and strategic project leadership.
Pasadena's tech-driven energy infrastructure and high cost of living push salary ranges for senior grid engineers higher, typically between $130K-$205K annually. Demand for specialized expertise in substation protection and controls further elevates compensation, reflecting competitive market conditions and regional economic factors.
At Sargent & Lundy, collaborative environments and mentoring are key. The Lead Electrical Engineer 2 benefits from a culture emphasizing peer learning and communities of practice, which enhances problem-solving skills and leadership while managing complex grid design tasks and client coordination effectively.
Challenges include coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, troubleshooting diverse relay and control systems, and ensuring compliance with evolving standards. Balancing remote and on-site work in Pasadena adds logistical complexity, requiring adaptability and strong communication to deliver precise engineering solutions.
PE licensure is highly valued in Pasadena’s competitive grid engineering market, especially for roles involving protective relaying and substation design. Familiarity with regional codes like NEC and NESC, plus vendor-specific relay certifications, can significantly boost a candidate’s appeal for senior engineering positions.
Pasadena's traffic congestion and limited public transit options can affect commute times. Candidates should consider flexible working arrangements, like Sargent & Lundy’s hybrid model, to mitigate daily travel challenges while maintaining productivity in grid engineering projects.
Competition is robust due to Pasadena’s concentration of energy and tech firms. Candidates who demonstrate extensive experience with protective relaying, advanced simulation software, and leadership in complex grid projects distinguish themselves, especially when coupled with strong communication and project management skills.
Advancement can lead to senior project management, specialized consultancy in power grid modernization, or strategic roles overseeing multiple substation projects. Leveraging expertise in protective controls and mentoring junior engineers opens pathways to leadership positions within utility and engineering firms.
The $131,960 to $205,330 salary range captures the advanced responsibilities in protective relaying, design leadership, and client liaison work. This compensation aligns with Pasadena’s higher living costs and the specialized skill set required for managing high voltage substation projects.