What are the responsibilities and job description for the Power Design Electrical Engineer position at Spectrum Engineers?
JOB DESCRIPTION: POWER DESIGN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Position Status: Full-Time, Salaried, and At Will.
Position Responsibilities:
The Power Design Electrical Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, and implementation of electrical power systems with an emphasis on medium-voltage distribution, power system studies, and protection and controls (P&C). This role supports projects across commercial, industrial, utility, mission-critical, and institutional facilities by developing safe, reliable, and efficient power system designs. The Engineer collaborates closely with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions that meet client, code, and industry requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Power & Medium-Voltage System Design
- Design low-voltage and medium-voltage power distribution systems (5kV–35kV).
- Develop one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, riser diagrams, panel schedules, equipment layouts, and grounding systems.
- Specify power distribution equipment such as switchgear, switchboards, MCCs, transformers, generators, UPS systems, and protective devices.
- Perform service load calculations in accordance with NEC, utility, and project requirements.
Protection & Controls (P&C)
- Develop protection schemes for MV and LV systems, including relay protection, coordination, and control logic.
- Create protection one-lines, AC/DC schematics, relay settings, and control wiring diagrams.
- Review and interpret relay logic diagrams, SCADA points list, and interconnection requirements.
- Coordinate with utilities and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) for protection compliance.
Power System Studies & Analysis
- Perform engineering studies including:
- Short-circuit
- Coordination / arc-flash analysis
- Load flow / voltage drop
- Motor starting
- Harmonic analysis
- Utilize software such as SKM, ETAP, EasyPower, or CYME to model electrical systems and generate reports.
- Provide recommendations to improve system reliability, safety, and operational performance.
Project Coordination and Technical Leadership
- Prepare technical specifications, construction documents, and engineering reports.
- Conduct field investigations, site assessments, and equipment evaluations.
- Support construction administration activities, including RFIs, submittal reviews, site observations, and punch lists.
- Collaborate with mechanical, structural, civil, and technology teams to ensure integrated project delivery.
- Assist with project scheduling, budgeting, and scope management.
Quality, Compliance & Standards
- Ensure designs comply with NEC, IEEE, NFPA, NESC, utility standards, and client specifications.
- Apply industry best practices for grounding, fault protection, and power system reliability.
- Maintain accurate documentation and support project QA/QC reviews.
Additional Technical Responsibilities
- Develop construction documents including drawings and specifications.
- Create relay settings and relay protection logic files (.rdb or similar).
- Develop automation sequence of operation.
- Perform PLC design and integration
- Support medium-voltage generation system design.
- Provide construction administration support.
Preferred Additional Experience
- Proposal writing
- Cost estimating
- Marketing and business development (BD)
- High-voltage power system design
- Substation design
- Transmission design
- Data center projects
- Hospital projects
- Wastewater treatment facilities
Job Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- 10 years of experience in power systems design.
- Experience with medium-voltage systems, protection & controls, and power distribution design.
- Proficiency with SKM, ETAP, EasyPower, or similar analysis tools.
- Strong understanding of NEC, IEEE standards, and utility interconnection requirements.
- Ability to create detailed engineering drawings and technical documentation.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with utility, industrial, mission-critical, or large commercial projects.
- Relay programming experience (SEL, GE, ABB, etc.).
- Familiarity with SCADA, PLCs, automation systems, and integration requirements.
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to perform fieldwork, including site walks and inspections.
- Occasional travel to project sites and client locations.
- Ability to work in both office and construction environments.