What are the responsibilities and job description for the Protection & Control Engineer position at Electric Machine Control Inc?
Job Title: Protection & Control Engineer
Location: Trussville, Alabama
Department: Engineering / Power Systems
Position Summary
We are seeking a motivated Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer to join our engineering team in Trussville, Alabama. In this role, you will support the design, development, testing, and commissioning of protection and control systems for electric utility substations and related power infrastructure. You will work closely with engineers, designers, technicians, project managers, and customers to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality solutions.
This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on technical work, detailed problem-solving, and seeing projects through from concept to completion.
Key Responsibilities
- Design protection and control systems for substation and utility projects.
- Prepare and review one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, relay logic, and control house drawings.
- Develop or support relay settings, protection schemes, and coordination studies.
- Review engineering drawings, field markups, and as-built documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Support SCADA and substation communication integration with protection and control systems.
- Coordinate with relay technicians, CAD designers, field crews, and project managers throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide technical support during testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
- Troubleshoot protection, control, and communications issues in the field and in the office.
- Ensure compliance with applicable utility standards, engineering practices, and safety requirements.
- Maintain clear documentation and communicate technical information effectively.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
- 5 years of experience in protection and control engineering, substation design, or a related utility engineering role.
- Working knowledge of substation protection schemes, relay applications, and control circuit design.
- Ability to read and interpret detailed electrical drawings and technical documentation.
- Familiarity with protective relays, SCADA integration, and substation automation concepts.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and troubleshooting skills.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work well with a team.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with major relay platforms such as SEL, GE, Siemens, ABB/Hitachi, or similar.
- Familiarity with relay setting development, coordination studies, or short circuit analysis.
- Experience supporting utility substation projects from design through commissioning.
- EIT or PE certification, or progress toward licensure, is a plus.
Work Environment
This role may involve a combination of office and field work, including travel to substations and customer sites. Candidates should be comfortable working in both collaborative office settings and active field environments.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to work on meaningful projects that support critical infrastructure and reliable electric service. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of technical challenges while working with a team that values quality, initiative, and professional growth.