Early Career Electrical Engineer (ESSP)

WSP is an engineering and professional services firm serving clients across energy and other infrastructure markets. The Early Career Electrical Engineer will perform electrical studies and develop, troubleshoot, test, and commission SCADA, power system, networking, communications, logic, control, and data acquisition systems for utility and industrial/commercial clients. The role also supports senior engineers, prepares technical reports, assists with risk assessment, and collaborates with cross-functional project teams.

What you'll do:

• Protective Relaying: short circuit and symmetrical component analysis, time-current coordination, protection scheme and criteria development, relay settings calculation, integration with SCADA systems, NERC compliance, and arc flash analysis.  Applicable software:  AcSELerator Quickset (SEL-5030), AcSELerator Architect, GE Enervista, ASPEN Oneliner, SKM-PTW, ETAP, RSCAD/RTDS *Bullet 2 related to impact and responsibilities of the role*
• Power System Planning Studies: steady-state real and reactive power flow including outage contingencies, generation interconnect feasibility, P-V and Q-V analysis for voltage stability margins, dynamic stability performance, automation of large batch simulations, working with models from NERC regional entities (WECC, MRO, SERC etc.), NERC compliance.  Applicable Software: PSS/E, PSLF, PowerWorld, Python Scripting
• Design Studies: substation grounding, corona and electric and magnetic fields, insulation coordination (lightning, switching surge, and contamination performance), transient (time domain) simulation, power quality (harmonics, voltage flicker, over/under voltage, etc.), motor starting, AC interference (transmission line interaction with railroads and pipelines).  Applicable Software: CDEGS, ATP-EMTP, PSCAD
• Networking and Communications: design and configure network and communication paths for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), protective relays, meters, Human Machine Interface (HMIs), PLC’s and other SCADA system equipment; develop basic specifications for fiber optic, microwave, power line carrier, or radio communication paths; travel to project sites to troubleshoot and commission network and communication systems.  Applicable network and communication protocols: DNP, Modbus, SEL Communication Protocol, Goose Messaging, IEC 61850
• Logic and Control Systems: develop and implement logic and control schemes for remote and local operation of power system equipment; develop programs on various platforms for implementation of these schemes; travel to project sites to test and commission the control schemes.  Applicable Logic and Control Platforms: SEL RTAC, Orion, Cooper SMP, GE-D20
• Data Acquisition: Prepare points lists of all data to be transferred between control centers and controlled apparatus, assign and program data addressing and routing information, develop Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens, travel to project sites to test and commission data transfer schemes. Applicable Software: Wonderware, Clearview, AcSELerator RTAC, Visual Basic, OSIPI, Python scripting, etc
• Support senior engineers with research and recommendations of fundamental components identified in design requirements, as well as field equipment applications and operations
• Write technical reports summarizing research with findings and conclusions, generating complete, accurate, and concise documentation using sketches, calculations, electronic systems, spreadsheets, and software
• Assist technical staff and project managers with risk identification and assessment, offering input and analysis with design concepts, construction, mitigation and improvement activities, and remediation projects
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work, including project controls, business deployment, construction, procurement, document control, and permitting teams
• Complete training on assigned tasks
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs

What they're looking for:

• Must be recent Engineering Graduate (Bachelor's Degree), or enrolled in a university pursuing a degree in engineering
• Analytical mindset with an ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements
• Within one (1) year of graduation
• GPA above 3.0/4.0
• Power system courses covering topics such as three-phase power, load flow and reactive compensation, protective relaying, symmetrical components, transmission line theory, power system transients, dynamic stability, and power system electromagnetics
• Internships and experience in technical areas and software listed in the Job Description section

Benefits:

• Flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs
• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career