Protection and Controls Engineer 3 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Chattanooga, TN, 37402
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 9 January 2026
Description
This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of protective relaying and controls systems for distribution and high voltage substations. As a Protection & Control Engineer you will primarily prepare protection and control schematics and wiring drawings for a wide range of substation modifications and upgrades to support client requirements.
- You will be responsible for preparing protective relaying philosophies, including selection of relay, control, and communications equipment, SCADA and telecommunication concepts and configurations, and I/O assignments and connection diagrams.
- You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of substation protection and control issues.
- You will perform preparations of the designs prepared by others for single line diagrams, substation relaying & metering diagrams (i.e. A.C. schematic diagrams), and D.C. schematic diagrams.
- Perform independent reviews of work performed by others.
- Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy’s systems of processes 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 project site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.
This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.
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 similar.
- 3 or more years of experience with a focus on protection / control / telecommunications for high voltage substations; including design, installation, and coordination.
- Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- PE license.
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
$72,690.00 - $106,250.00Transparency 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.
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Controls Engineer
Frequently asked questions
Mastery of protective relaying principles, relay selection, and SCADA configurations is crucial. Familiarity with standards like IEEE, NESC, and ANSI, alongside hands-on experience with vendor relay equipment, ensures effective substation protection and control designs.
Unlike entry-level roles, this senior position demands autonomy in troubleshooting complex substation issues, mentoring junior engineers, and independently reviewing technical designs, reflecting heightened responsibility in power system protection and control.
Advancement often involves moving into leadership roles overseeing protection design teams, engaging in multi-site project management, or acquiring professional engineer (PE) credentials to enhance credibility and broaden influence within power systems engineering.
Sargent & Lundy fosters peer learning by encouraging experienced engineers to guide less experienced colleagues through communities of practice, promoting knowledge sharing that strengthens the team’s collective expertise in protection and control engineering.
Engineers at Sargent & Lundy handle diverse substation modifications requiring deep technical knowledge and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with a hybrid schedule demanding adaptability and occasional site visits to client and vendor locations for design validation.
Candidates can anticipate a compensation range from approximately $72,690 to $106,250 annually, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package and potential discretionary bonuses reflecting performance and market standards.
Chattanooga offers a growing demand for experienced protection engineers due to regional infrastructure investments, though candidates should prepare for moderate competition as local utilities and engineering firms seek skilled professionals.
Possessing a PE license or certifications related to relay protection and SCADA systems significantly boosts employability in Chattanooga, aligning with local industry standards and signaling advanced expertise to employers.
Chattanooga’s manageable traffic and community-oriented culture support a hybrid schedule, enabling engineers to balance in-office collaboration three days weekly with focused remote work, enhancing productivity and work-life integration.
Understanding telecommunication concepts such as fiber optics and power line carrier systems is vital, as engineers design and configure communication equipment integral to substation protection strategies and remote monitoring.