Principal Substation Engineer - Power Plant
Requisition ID: 95199NextEra Energy Resources is one of America's largest wholesale electricity generators, harnessing diverse energy sources to power progress. We deliver tailored energy solutions that fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and help customers achieve their energy goals. Ready to make a lasting impact? Take the next step in your career with us!Position Specific DescriptionThe Principal Substation Engineer - Power Plant is responsible for the engineering, design, integration, and technical oversight of high and medium voltage substations directly supporting natural gas fired power plants, including combined cycle (CC), simple cycle, and peaking facilities. This role requires hands on experience coordinating generator step up transformers (GSUs), plant auxiliaries, protection and control systems, and transmission interconnections to ensure safe, reliable, and code compliant operation of dispatchable generation assets.Key ResponsibilitiesSubstation & Electrical DesignEngineer and review plant switchyards and substations (typically 13.8 kV, 18 kV, 22 kV, 34.5 kV, 115-500 kV) supporting natural gas generating units.Design and review GSU configurations, including bus arrangements, grounding, protection zones, and insulation coordination.Develop single line diagrams, three line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and equipment layouts specific to thermal power plants.Specify and apply:Power transformers (GSU, UAT, SAT)Circuit breakers, disconnects, CTs, VTs, surge arrestersStation service and auxiliary power systemsWrite, conform and adapt Engineer of Record (EOR), Engineering Consultant, Early Stage Engineering, Construction, Engineer/Procure/Construct (EPC) and Owner furnished equipment specifications and other technical contract documents as needed for each project to put contracts in place (self-performed in areas of expertise, seeks appropriate in-house guidance in areas outside of immediate expertise, and where needed uses 3rd party engineering consultants).Review Engineer of Record (EOR), Engineering Consultant, Early-Stage Engineering, Contractor, Engineer/Procure/Construct (EPC) and Owner furnished equipment deliverables for contract compliance, adequacy, and completeness (self-performed in areas of expertise, seeks appropriate in-house guidance in areas outside of immediate expertise, and where needed uses third party engineering consultants when necessary)Work with company purchasing department to ensure that purchase orders adequately define the specified requirements and contracts are put in place.Power Plant IntegrationCoordinate substation interfaces with:Gas turbine generators (CTG)Steam turbine generators (STG)HRSG auxiliaries and balance of plant (BOP) systemsSupport generator grounding, neutral grounding resistors/transformers, and plant grounding studies.Interface substation protection schemes with plant DCS, SCADA, and plant control systems.Support black start, fast start, and grid support operating modes where applicable.Coordinate/support islanded/behind the meter power supply to data centers in combination with BESSProtection, Control & StudiesReview or develop protection and control philosophies applicable to plant substations:Generator, GSU, and bus protectionBreaker failure and transfer trip schemesReview or support electrical studies including:Short circuit, load flow, arc flashInsulation coordination and surge arrester selectionGrounding and step and touch analysisInterconnection & ComplianceSupport ISO/RTO and utility interconnection requirements (e.g., NERC, regional transmission owner standards).Coordinate with transmission owners, EPCs, OEMs, and commissioning teams.Ensure compliance with:EEE, NESC, NEC, NFPA 850, NERC PRC standardsOwner and transmission owner design criteriaConstruction & Commissioning SupportProvide engineering support during construction, testing, and commissioning.Review submittals, RFIs, design changes, and as built documentation.Support energization, synchronization, and outage planning activities.Preferred Qualifications10+ years of substation engineering experience, with direct experience on natural gas power plants.Demonstrated experience with GSU based substations for thermal generation.Strong familiarity with plant electrical systems and operating constraints.Working knowledge of applicable electrical codes and standards.Ability to interface with EPCs, OEMs, utilities, and internal plant stakeholders.Professional Engineer (PE) license.Experience with combined cycle plants (1×0, 2×0, 2×1, 3×1, etc.).Experience supporting existing operating plants (brownfield modifications, uprates, retrofits).Familiarity with NERC compliance as it relates to generation and substations.Experience with outage work, reliability improvement projects, or fleet standardization.Key Differentiators for This RolePower plant centric substation experience (not utility only or renewable only).Direct exposure to dispatchable generation, GSUs, and plant auxiliaries.Comfort operating in environments where availability, start time, and grid support are critical.Job Overview