- Company Name
- Intersect
- Job Title
- Microgrid Protections Engineer
- Job Description
-
**Job Title:** Microgrid Protections Engineer
**Role Summary:**
Designs, coordinates, and validates electrical protection schemes for utility‑scale microgrid generation assets (batteries, wind, PV, reciprocating engines, turbines). Ensures personnel and equipment safety, system reliability, and seamless integration with controls, SCADA, and communications across grid‑connected, islanded, and contingency operating modes.
**Expectations:**
- 5–10+ years of hands‑on protection design experience on utility‑scale or industrial power systems.
- Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering with power or control systems focus.
- Ability to conduct coordination studies, develop relay settings, and support commissioning and root‑cause analysis.
- Detail‑oriented, safety‑first mindset; strong collaboration with design, controls, equipment suppliers, and utility operators.
**Key Responsibilities:**
- Design hardware and software protection schemes for microgrid generation assets across all operating modes.
- Perform protection coordination studies; develop and document relay settings, logic diagrams, and interface specifications.
- Collaborate with electrical design, power systems, and controls teams to align protection functions with system behavior and communication limits.
- Review supplier data (transformers, switchgear, BESS, turbines, PV) to define protection requirements, damage thresholds, and setpoints.
- Support site testing, commissioning, and functional verification using relay test equipment (e.g., OMICRON, Doble).
- Conduct post‑event analysis of relay oscillography and event logs to improve reliability and safety.
- Ensure protection communications (IEC 61850, GOOSE, DNP3, Modbus) are correctly configured and cybersecurity‑aware.
**Required Skills:**
- Protection relay logic design and coordination analysis.
- Experience with relay test equipment (OMICRON, Doble) and commissioning procedures.
- Knowledge of arc‑flash analysis, equipment duty calculations, lockout/tagout.
- Understanding of inverter fault‑ride‑through, current‑limited fault response, and weak‑grid/islanded operations.
- Familiarity with IEC 61850, GOOSE, DNP3, Modbus communications and related cybersecurity considerations.
- Strong analytical, documentation, and version‑control practices.
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
**Required Education & Certifications:**
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (power systems or control systems emphasis).
- Professional engineering (PE) license preferred but not required.
- Relevant training/certification on protection relay testing equipment (OMICRON, Doble) advantageous.