Substation Physical and Protection and Controls Staff Engineer

Ampirical is seeking a seasoned Substation Physical and Protection & Controls Staff Engineer to lead the physical design and relay protection packages for substations ranging from 69 kV to 500 kV. This onsite role in Fredericksburg, VA combines field support, client and vendor coordination, and mentorship of junior engineers while guiding projects from initial concept through commissioning. A strong foundation in power systems, protection and control, and a Professional Engineer license is essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the creation of substation electrical design packages, including general arrangement, equipment layout, grounding, conduit, bus schemes, shielding, and lighting.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of physical design packages to ensure alignment with industry and client standards.
• Develop scopes of work, cost estimates, and bid-ready construction drawing packages.
• Support field teams during construction and evaluate submittals for design consistency.
• Coordinate with clients, vendors, and internal teams to ensure project alignment and constructability.
• Determine suitable protection and control architectures for transmission and distribution substations in the 69 kV–500 kV range.
• Specify appropriate protection devices for substation equipment.
• Verify relay protection drawing packages, including wiring diagrams, schematics, protection panels, and one-line and three-line diagrams.
• Assist with and review load calculations for panels, battery systems, voltage drop, and other substation components.
• Aid substation field personnel and perform field pre-inspections for turnkey projects involving protection panels, breakers, transformers, SCADA, and related equipment.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards and industry regulations related to relay protection.
• Serve as Engineer of Record and provide backup support to design supervisors as needed.
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct technical training sessions.
• May oversee proposal development, bid preparation, and project scheduling for assigned substation projects.
• Represent Ampirical at technical conferences and industry committees, including IEEE.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university, with preferred emphasis in Power Systems.
• 10 years of experience with a Professional Engineer (PE) license required; or 12+ years of experience without a PE.
• 10+ years of experience in substation design, covering both physical and protection & control disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of SCADA, automation, settings, configuration, testing, commissioning, and protection & control engineering concepts.
• Familiarity with NERC/FERC, IEEE standards, and tools such as ETAP, WinIGS, and IEEE 80/998.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Inventor, and Bentley MicroStation or substation software is a plus.
• Proven industry involvement (e.g., IEEE committees, conference presentations).
• Engineering supervisory experience is preferred.
• Ability to travel to meet with clients and attend technical conferences.

Technologies

• ETAP
• WinIGS
• AutoCAD
• Inventor
• Bentley MicroStation
• Substation software

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with Day-One eligibility
• 401(k) with 4% employer match and immediate vesting
• Semi-annual profit-sharing bonus (10%–20% of salary)
• PTO: 80 hours vacation, 40 hours sick time per year, plus 10 paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule with every other Friday off
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing career development opportunities
• Gym membership stipend and wellness program
• Fertility benefits and pet insurance

About Ampirical

Ampirical is dedicated to advancing the power grid with precision, innovation, and purpose. Guided by the idea that practical engineering drives reliable energy, the company emphasizes quality, forward-thinking solutions, and opportunities for engineers to grow and thrive within a collaborative environment. The organization values hands-on impact and professional development as core aspects of its culture.

Why Ampirical

• Salary range: USD 130,000 – 185,000 per year, commensurate with experience
• Semi-annual profit-sharing bonus based on performance (10%–20% of salary)
• Day-One medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with 4% employer match and immediate vesting
• PTO starting at 80 hours vacation and 40 hours sick time, plus 10 holidays
• Flexible schedule with every other Friday off
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing career development
• Gym membership stipend and wellness program
• Fertility benefits and pet insurance