Overview:
As one of the nation's leading electric transmission line construction companies, MasTec Power Delivery companies engineer and construct efficient and reliable electrical transmission, distribution, and substation & switchyard systems. Our extensive workforce includes both union and nonunion teams, which, combined with our specialized equipment fleet, allows us to effectively meet our clients' needs for power delivery, emergency restoration, and ongoing maintenance. We've been involved in some of the most challenging and recognizable electric projects across the U.S. From the electric plant to the end users, MasTec's experienced managers and crews consistently deliver transmission, distribution, and substation & switchyard services with an unfailing commitment to safety, integrity, and sustainable practices.
We are seeking a skilled Telecoms Substation Engineer with strong expertise in protection and control systems and microwave telecommunications. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of communication systems that support substation automation, protection schemes, and grid reliability.
The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between electrical protection systems and telecom infrastructure, ensuring secure, low-latency, and highly reliable communications across substations and control centers.
Responsibilities:
- Design, configure, and maintain telecom systems supporting substation protection and control schemes
- Integrate communication networks for SCADA, tele-protection, and automation systems
- Engineer and support microwave radio communication systems for utility-grade networks
- Ensure reliable communication paths for protection relays, including line differential and distance protection schemes
- Perform testing and commissioning of protection and telecom systems in substations
- Troubleshoot faults in telecom and protection interfaces, ensuring minimal downtime
- Collaborate with protection engineers to ensure proper signaling, latency, and redundancy requirements
- Develop and maintain documentation including network diagrams, settings files, and test reports
- Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE, NERC where applicable)
- Support cybersecurity practices within telecom and control system environments
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field
- 3–8+ years of experience in substation engineering, with focus on telecom and protection systems
- Strong understanding of protection and control schemes (line protection, busbar, transformer protection)
- Hands-on experience with microwave communication systems (design, path studies, installation, alignment, and maintenance)
- Experience with SCADA, RTUs, and substation communication protocols (e.g., IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus)
- Familiarity with tele-protection schemes and requirements for latency and reliability
- Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, protection schematics, and telecom network layouts
Preferred Skills
- Experience with fiber optic communication systems (OPGW, ADSS)
- Knowledge of network technologies (IP/MPLS, routing, switching)
- Familiarity with relay manufacturers (e.g., SEL, GE, Siemens)
- Experience with path profile analysis tools for microwave links
- Understanding of redundancy architectures (e.g., PRP, HSR)
- Field commissioning experience in energized substations
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
- Attention to detail in protection and telecom system integration
- Ability to work both independently and in cross-functional teams
- Effective communication skills for coordination with engineering and operations teams
- Commitment to safety and operational excellence
