Senior Protection & Controls Engineer

Company: Valdes Architecture & Engineering
Location: Lombard
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Seasoned Substation Protection & Controls Engineer with 5-10 years of experience in protective relaying, SCADA, and communications for high voltage substations. Knowledge of microprocessor relays and capable of preparing schematic diagrams. This individual interfaces with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers within the Valdes A&E organization. May visit job site as required for exchange of information. Responsibilities Solid Knowledge within the Electrical Engineering discipline with the capability and the initiative to perform the following tasks while supervising and mentoring junior staff members: assist staff with ensuring that engineering packages are completed on time and within budget Ability to prepare design packages consisting of control panel drawings, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and bills of materials Maintain positive business relationships with key clients’ contacts throughout the project lifecycle Coordinate engineering details/drafting with multiple department designers to develop project drawings On-site interface with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers Design of protective relaying schemes for high voltage substations. AC and DC load calculations Knowledge of microprocessor relays Development of wiring diagrams and schematic drawings Cable routing design Utility interface design Protection & Controls Duties Schematic diagram design Relay selection, control panel drawings, and specifications Bills of materials Panel front view and wiring diagrams SCADA overview development Control building and panel hardware specifications Development of sequence of operation and functional description documents Technical Competencies Ability to communicate complicated issues in a simple manner Ability to multi-task and handle multiple priorities simultaneously Strong verbal and written communication skills Knowledgeable in SKM electrical modeling software Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering 5 years of experience working in substation design Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future $125,000 - $170,000 a year Salaries for all positions are based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, total years of experience in the industry, education, skills, and qualifications. Compensation may vary depending on the candidate's individual background and expertise. Salaries are subject to fluctuation outside of the given range. The indicated range is not a commitment and meant as a guideline. All compensation, exempt or non-exempt status, and benefits will be discussed during the interview process. Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Architecture & Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement. EEO/AAE We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: Valdes Architecture & Engineering, Chicago , Senior Protection & Controls Engineer, Engineering , Lombard, Illinois