AWF- Power Protection Engineer

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Job Summary

The Power Protection Engineer is responsible for the management, analysis, testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting of protective relay systems in electrical substations and power plants owned and operated by NRG. This role requires a deep understanding of electrical theory, relay protection logic, and the ability to work with complex environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in relay protection design, application, analysis and troubleshooting. This role will provide support to multiple types of power generation ranging from traditional base load fossil fuel, simple and combined cycle peaking, wind, solar, and utility scale battery systems.

Essential Duties/ Responsibilities

• Perform power system studies and system protection settings coordination on various projects (up to 550-kV voltage level)
• Ability to perform, or provide technical leadership during the performance of, testing and maintenance of protective relay systems in electrical substations and power plants.
• Manage complex projects including upgrades from electro mechanical to modern multiprocessor relays systems, managing contract engineering services, craft personnel, and coordination with outside entities such as regulatory and/or transmission and distribution companies.
• Conduct functional and operational tests on relay systems to ensure proper performance.
• Analyze Data such as event oscillography and Digital Fault Recorder (DFR) data to troubleshoot issues and identify and correct system malfunctions.
• Collaborate with corporate engineering, plant personnel, regional utility engineers, and contracted engineering firms in the design, implementation, and commissioning of complex electrical projects impacting relay protection, metering, breaker function, interlocks, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.
• Provide technical support and training to junior technicians.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in relay technology and testing methodologies.
• Expert ability to read, interpret, create, and revise power plant drawings, schematics and diagrams
• Communicates regularly with senior management and provide status updates on engineering design and project activities.
• Provide technical guidance, support and insight in multi-year outage forecasting, maintenance and upgrade prioritization, and budgetary development
• Willingness to provide around the clock emergency support, as needed, including video and teleconferencing, and emergency travel throughout the US.
• Proficiency with relay test equipment such as Doble, Omicron, Megger, Fluke and similar.
• Strong understanding of electrical theory and relay logic.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintain very high standards and personal accountability and leadership regarding safety, environmental, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities
• All other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Open office environment when in office; ability to work in Field or in plants.
• Occasional work in harsh, dirty, and loud environments, at times in extreme weather, for extended hours.
• Wearing of appropriate PPE, Fall Protection, and Arc Flash clothing where required
• Approximately 30% travel to generation facilities, support facilities, and vendor sites

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or a directly related field, from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in utility scale Power Generation, or Power Transmission and Distribution.
• Ability to read, correctly interpret, and apply electrical one-lines, schematics, and instruction manuals.
• Extensive experience performing Event Analysis Using Oscillography event data downloaded from multiprocessor power protection relays.
• Intimate familiarity with relays, and relay schemes, used in utility scale power protection, including offerings from SEL, Basler, GE, Siemens, and Beckwith.
• Ability to perform power system studies and system protection settings coordination on various projects (up to 550-kV voltage level).

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or related degree field
• 10 yrs experience in power generation performing advance electrical and relay protection work
• Successful completion of applicable trade school, or applicable military training

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated project management, leadership, influence, and communication skills
• Thorough understanding and proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCad, ETAP, and SEL Accelerator software.
• Confidence speaking in front of a group, including development and delivery of technical presentations
• Good writing skills
• Desire to work in a diverse and fast pace environment

Physical Requirements

Statement

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills. Official description on file with Human Resources.

Please Note:  Salary offered will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and/or experience and consistent with the job location’s market pay rate.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

Official description on file with Talent.