Protection & Control Engineer - Hydro & Dams

About the role

WSP is looking for a Protection & Control Engineer specialized in hydroelectric and dam projects to join its multidisciplinary team in Bogotá. The role involves designing, analysing, implementing and commissioning protection and control systems for hydro‑generation, substations, switchyards and related water‑resources infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Design protection and control schemes for hydroelectric facilities, dams, substations and switchyards.
• Develop protection philosophies, relay settings, coordination studies and control strategies.
• Prepare single‑line diagrams, wiring diagrams, control schematics and technical specifications.
• Conduct short‑circuit, protection coordination, load‑flow and arc‑flash studies.
• Support integration with SCADA, automation and monitoring systems.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), commissioning, testing and energisation activities.
• Review vendor documentation and provide technical guidance on protection equipment.
• Collaborate with civil, structural, mechanical, hydrotechnical, instrumentation and automation specialists.
• Prepare technical reports, calculations and project deliverables, and support project planning, budgeting and risk management.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems or related discipline (Master’s degree is a plus).
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng. or equivalent) designation preferred.
• 6‑9 years of experience in protection & control engineering for hydroelectric, dam, substation or transmission projects.
• Advanced proficiency in English and French.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of power‑system protection and control principles.
• Experience with protective relays (SEL, GE, Siemens, ABB/Hitachi Energy, Schneider Electric).
• Short‑circuit analysis, protection coordination, load‑flow and arc‑flash study expertise.
• SCADA integration and automation interfacing.
• FAT, SAT, commissioning, testing and energisation procedures.
• Preparation of single‑line diagrams, wiring diagrams and control schematics.