Senior Substation Protection & Controls Engineer | Regional Technical Lead

Why CDM Smith?

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Substation Protection & Control Engineer | Regional Technical Leader to provide both technical and organizational leadership within our growing Power and Energy practice. This role combines advanced expertise in substation protection and control (P&C) engineering with responsibility for leading, developing, and growing a team of engineering professionals.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical authority for protection and control systems, lead complex substation projects, mentor engineering staff, support business growth, and oversee team performance, utilization, and resource planning. This position is ideal for a proven engineering leader who is passionate about developing people, delivering exceptional client service, and advancing reliable and resilient power infrastructure.Preferred locations include: Wadsworth, OH; Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Philadelphia, PA; and CDM Smith offices in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Georgia. Other CDM Smith U.S. locations may be considered based on candidate qualifications

Technical Leadership & Project Delivery

• Lead the design, delivery, and technical execution of high-voltage substation protection and control projects.
• Serve as a technical authority for protective relaying, control systems, SCADA integration, automation, and substation communications.
• Develop, review, and approve protection and control engineering deliverables, including schematics, wiring diagrams, relay settings, panel layouts, and integration documentation.
• Lead power system studies, protection coordination, equipment selection, and related engineering analyses.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, utility standards, and CDM Smith quality procedures.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery, commissioning, testing, and startup activities.
• Drive technical excellence through quality reviews, engineering standards development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers and designers to support technical excellence and career growth.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching, and support training, professional registration, and succession planning.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain engineering talent to support project and business needs.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate mentoring relationships through the Career Compass Program and support employee development initiatives.
• Recognize and celebrate employee achievements, certifications, promotions, and key career milestones.
• Drive employee engagement and workforce development across the team.

Business Operations & Client Service

• Manage team utilization, staffing, workload distribution, direct labor, and profitability goals.
• Coordinate resource planning and staffing assignments with Technical Discipline Managers and project leadership.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, and performance to support successful project execution.
• Support business development activities, including proposals, presentations, strategic pursuits, and client relationship management.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for clients, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with quality, ethics, health and safety, and required training programs.
• Approve timesheets, expense reports, and other administrative requirements in a timely manner.

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Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong expertise in substation protection and control systems, protective relaying, automation, SCADA, and power system operations.
• Proven ability to manage project execution, resources, budgets, schedules, and technical quality across multiple projects.
• Strong client relationship, business development, and consulting skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of utilization, staffing, project profitability, and consulting business operations.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional client service, quality, and safety.
• Ability to leverage digital tools and emerging technologies to improve project delivery and team performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or Electrical Technology or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the
• essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading regional or multi-office engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience designing high-voltage substation protection and control systems for projects up to 345kV and above.
• Expertise in protective relaying, relay coordination, relay settings, and protection philosophies.
• Experience with SCADA, RTU, communications networks, and digital substation technologies.
• Strong knowledge of NESC, NEC, IEEE, and utility standards.
• Experience developing control schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and equipment specifications.
• Experience supporting substation commissioning, testing, startup, and troubleshooting activities.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and strategic client pursuits.
• Established utility, transmission, or power delivery industry relationships.

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Pay Range Min

USD $134,264.00

Pay Range Max

USD $248,394.00

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position