Lead Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

About us

National Grid is hiring a Lead Engineer for our NE Electric Asset Mgmt & Eng - Protection, Control, Metering & Telecom Eng department in Northboro, MA.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

The Lead Engineer will provide protection engineering expertise and technical support to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of National Grid’s transmission and distribution systems. Responsibilities include protection coordination, fault analysis, relay settings development, system reviews, safety implementation, and participation in both small- and large-scale engineering projects.

Key Accountabilities

• Perform protection system design, coordination studies, and short-circuit analysis to identify issues and recommend corrective actions or preventive measures.
• Analyze system data using tools such as ASPEN, symmetrical component analysis, and manufacturer-specific software to support engineering decisions.
• Evaluate, select, and design protective relaying systems for substations and transmission lines.
• Develop and maintain protection design documentation in accordance with National Grid standards.
• Conduct relay coordination studies; design and review AC/DC schematics; and develop and issue relay settings for transmission lines, transformers, capacitor banks, feeders, and other equipment.
• Create and maintain standard protection philosophies, guidelines, and relay setting practices.
• Provide technical support for protection and control systems across all voltage levels within the transmission and distribution network.
• Support field personnel on design, operation, and maintenance of protection and control equipment.
• Perform arc flash studies and optimize relay settings to reduce incident energy while maintaining proper protection coordination; collaborate with project teams on long-term P&C system upgrades.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.
• Manage and execute work independently with minimal supervision. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited engineering program required.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Protection engineering or related field required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good working knowledge of industry standards, safety standards, and existing electrical design codes.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficient MS Office computer skills (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
• Must have a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving history.

More Information

Salary: $156,000.00 - $183,000.00 USD annually

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.
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