Lead Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Warrenville, IL, 60555
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. You'll spend 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
- 10 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
Warrenville's growing infrastructure projects have increased demand for experienced electrical engineers skilled in grid systems. Competition is moderate, with a premium on candidates possessing PE licensure and expertise in HV and EHV substation protection, making advanced qualifications and local networking critical for standing out.
Engineers face intricate coordination of protective relaying with varied vendor equipment while adhering to NEC and IEEE standards. Navigating legacy infrastructure and integrating modern SCADA and communication systems require problem-solving skills, especially in the evolving regulatory landscape of Illinois utilities.
Proficiency in relay coordination, SCADA system design, and mastery of software like SKM or ETAP are pivotal. Emphasizing leadership capabilities to mentor peers and managing multi-disciplinary teams also enhances progression toward senior engineering or project lead roles in power grid sectors.
Advancement often leads to senior project management, technical director roles, or specialized consultancy within power utilities. Developing expertise in telecommunications integration and protection system innovation can open pathways to executive positions or niche technical leadership in power system engineering.
Travel to client sites and vendors for design reviews and field verification is occasional but essential. The hybrid schedule balances on-site collaboration with remote work flexibility, fostering productivity while accommodating personal commitments — a benefit aligned with Sargent & Lundy’s employee well-being focus.
The company encourages peer-learning through communities of practice, offers mentorship opportunities, and provides access to continuous education. This environment cultivates advanced understanding of protective relaying and control systems, ensuring engineers remain at the forefront of power grid innovations.
Salary ranges from approximately $131,960 to $205,330 annually, reflecting expertise in high voltage substation protection, PE licensure, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation is influenced by experience, technical skillset, and the complexity of projects managed within the Illinois power grid sector.
A Professional Engineer (PE) license is essential, showcasing mastery in power systems. Familiarity with industry standards like NEC, NESC, IEEE, and ANSI, plus proficiency with vendor relay equipment (SEL, ABB, GE), significantly enhances candidacy for this technically demanding role.
Sargent & Lundy’s emphasis on mentoring, hybrid work flexibility, and award-winning benefits package sets it apart. Engineers engage in complex project leadership with access to extensive professional development and a culture valuing work-life balance alongside cutting-edge grid technology challenges.
The culture prioritizes employee well-being with comprehensive health plans, generous paid leave, and flexible schedules. Recognized repeatedly for excellence in compensation and benefits, the environment supports sustained performance and career satisfaction within the electrical engineering grid sector.