Lead the Future of the Grid: Controls Engineer IV ⚡

Shape high‑impact Protection & Control systems powering the global energy transition

At a Glance

Location: Pleasant Hill, CA | Hybrid — 2 days per week onsite (local candidates preferred)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | 40 hours/week
Pay Rate: $71.23/hr (negotiable based on experience)

The Opportunity

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a global leader in the energy industry, and we’re seeking a Controls Engineer IV (Lead Protection & Control Engineer) ready to take ownership of complex Transmission & Distribution substation projects across HV/EHV, HVDC, FACTS, Data Center, Industrial, and BESS applications.

This senior, hands‑on technical role places you at the center of grid modernization—where your expertise directly impacts system safety, reliability, and innovation. If you’re looking for a position where you can lead, solve challenging problems, and shape mission‑critical infrastructure, this is the opportunity to step into a high‑visibility engineering role with real influence.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and deliver Protection & Control (P&C) designs for AIS and GIS substations

• Develop and review one‑lines, three‑lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, cable schedules, and BOMs

• Lead and coordinate local and remote design teams

• Design and implement IEC 61850 system architectures, including process bus

• Evaluate relay interoperability, communications, SCADA integration, and cybersecurity requirements

• Perform engineering calculations (battery sizing, voltage drop, auxiliary AC power, CT/PT/CCVT specification)

• Collaborate with layout engineers, relay engineers, commissioning teams, site managers, manufacturers, and vendors

• Work directly with customers to resolve technical challenges and guide solutions

• Support FAT, SAT, outage planning, cutovers, and commissioning (remote and onsite)

• Conduct peer reviews and champion quality, constructability, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power emphasis strongly preferred)

• 5+ years of Protection & Control engineering experience

• Experience with HV/EHV substations and secondary engineering

• P.E. License or EIT with commitment to obtain P.E.

• Strong communication, presentation, and customer‑facing skills

• Willingness to travel up to 20% (including international travel)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ETAP, Aspen OneLiner, or similar tools

• Knowledge of NERC‑CIP standards, cybersecurity, and grid interconnection requirements

• Strong customer‑facing presence and commercial awareness

• Familiarity with Lean principles and structured problem solving

• Deep expertise in secondary engineering processes and standards

Why Join Us

• Work on mission‑critical infrastructure powering communities across the globe

• Hybrid work model supporting balance and collaboration

• Hands‑on exposure to advanced technologies like HVDC, FACTS, and IEC 61850

• A culture built on safety, quality, transparency, and continuous learning

• Lead technically challenging, high‑impact projects with wide visibility

• Competitive pay and opportunities for long‑term advancement

Take the Next Step

If you’re an experienced Protection & Control engineer ready to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today.

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