Lead Project Engineer

K&A Engineering Consulting P.C. (K&A) – is a people-first organization. We value knowledge and learning. We believe in the power of connection, and collaboration, and we seek to build relationships that mean something. We employ some of the best and brightest in our industry and we work hard to maintain a culture that our people can be proud of. Our company has earned its reputation through challenging work, uncompromising precision and continuous learning and adapting. 

K&A Engineering is a privately held, providing comprehensive consulting, engineering and design, program/project management, construction management, and support services to power utility and industrial clients. K&A's experience includes all aspects of generation, transmission, substations, distribution, energy efficiency, and distributed energy resource (DER) projects, from planning and environmental and regulatory analyses through engineering and design, construction, program management, project controls, and commissioning. The utility industry is a vast market, and K&A quickly established our name and reputation as a top-tier service provider. We were recently ranked #126 on the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies and the top engineering firm with a three-year growth rate of 3,166%.

Due to Company growth, we are actively seeking an experienced Lead Project Engineer to join our team in a hyrbid position based in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

• Design of protection and control philosophies for DER assets including Battery Energy Storage Systems, Photovoltaic Systems, and Microgrid Systems
• Design of protection and control wiring diagrams for testing in a lab environment
• Control Hardware-in-the-Loop testing of P&C philosophy utilizing real-time transient analysis equipment and software.
• Development of process and procedures for CHIL testing for repeatability and future regression testing
• Development of wiring diagrams, schematics, and functionality of inverters, relays, UPS systems, and GEMS to assist with the troubleshooting of issues within the site boundary.
• Performing electrical system studies using ETAP software (short circuit, load flow, time current coordination, and arc flash)
• Contract development support (e.g., Review RFP documents, proposed DER contracts, revise exhibits, attend bid evaluation meetings, etc.)
• Creation of documents and procedures related to site testing and commissioning.
• Responsible for developing in-depth technical design packages of the energy storage, solar, and microgrid design drawings.
• Work with internal engineering teams to identify opportunities to improve contract documentation, standards development, and the operation of energy storage, solar, and microgrid facilities.
• Review and facilitate redlines of design drawings.
• Validate designs conform to industry practices and standards. Note areas that require modifications due to non-conformance and provide recommendations to obtain adherence.
• Participate in weekly discussions with clients, team leaders, project managers, and internal stakeholders to discuss the milestone progress and supporting information to monitor project progress.
• Provide technical guidance and responses to the EPC for project development. Technical support shall occur from project initiation through project completion.  This includes providing field support to help resolve construction issues.
• Coordinate and understand impact of the entire project to include scope not awarded to the EPC, (e.g., Telecom design, Control System integration, Customer Delivery design activities, Transmission / Distribution circuit upgrades, etc.)
• Support DGOC Operators with trouble shooting and analysis of operational activity & metrics. Review GEMS data and help inform operational decisions to improve performance of facilities.
• Provide engineering support between DEOM and DCC’s in all the client jurisdictions.
• Support Preventative and Corrective maintenance activities or participate in RCA’s as requested.
• Become proficient with the Greensmith Energy Management System (GEMS) software and be willing to teach/train other potential users.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a strong background and knowledge of all utility engineering disciplines
• Masters- Business MBA in Project Management or equivalent utility certifications/trainings, PMP, or CAPM Certification, CMII Construction Certification
• Seven (7) years or more of relay/protection settings engineering experience
• Professional Engineer license preferred.
• Proficient in Project Management principals
• Experience in Relay, Protection & Controls design
• Experience with Control hardware in the Loop (CHIL)
• Experience with PSCAD/RSCAD
• Experience with IEC 61850 and SCADA control protocols
• Energy Storage experience or familiarity with inverters
• Testing/Commissioning experience
• Knowledge and experience with project management processes and tools
• Proficiency with financial analysis tools in a utility setting
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively with competing priorities and stressful situations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)