---
title: 'Senior Protection & Controls Engineer at Valdes Architecture & Engineering'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-protection-controls-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-zdr3x8rnpy13'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Senior Protection & Controls Engineer at Valdes Architecture & Engineering

- **Company:** Valdes Architecture & Engineering
- **Location:** Lombard, IL
- **Compensation:** $125k–$170k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2020-03-24
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/valdeseng/3d4da631-89fe-41be-949e-a0aeeb86a250

## Job description

Seasoned Substation Protection & Controls Engineer with 5-10 years of experience in protective relaying, SCADA, and communications for high voltage substations. Knowledge of microprocessor relays and capable of preparing schematic diagrams. This individual interfaces with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers within the Valdes A&E organization. May visit job site as required for exchange of information.

## Responsibilities

- Solid Knowledge within the Electrical Engineering discipline with the capability and the initiative to perform the following tasks while supervising and mentoring junior staff members: assist staff with ensuring that engineering packages are completed on time and within budget
- Ability to prepare design packages consisting of control panel drawings, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and bills of materials
- Maintain positive business relationships with key clients’ contacts throughout the project lifecycle
- Coordinate engineering details/drafting with multiple department designers to develop project drawings
- On-site interface with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers
- Design of protective relaying schemes for high voltage substations.
- AC and DC load calculations
- Knowledge of microprocessor relays
- Development of wiring diagrams and schematic drawings
- Cable routing design
- Utility interface design

Protection & Controls Duties

- Schematic diagram design
- Relay selection, control panel drawings, and specifications
- Bills of materials
- Panel front view and wiring diagrams
- SCADA overview development
- Control building and panel hardware specifications
- Development of sequence of operation and functional description documents

Technical Competencies

- Ability to communicate complicated issues in a simple manner
- Ability to multi-task and handle multiple priorities simultaneously
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Knowledgeable in SKM electrical modeling software

## Qualifications

- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
- 5+ years of experience working in substation design
- Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
- Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future

Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Architecture & Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement.

## EEO/AAE

## About Valdes Architecture & Engineering

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Valdes Architecture & Engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, and project management firm delivering capital project solutions primarily for industrial and facility markets.
- **Entity Type**: Private
- **Headquarters**: Lombard, Illinois, United States
- **Founded**: 1992
- **Founders**: Robert (Bob) Valdes, PE, SE

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Engineering & Architecture, Project Management, Industrial Construction
- **Target customers**: B2B; clients in oil & gas, chemicals, utilities, life sciences, manufacturing, science & technology, government, higher education, and agribusiness.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To deliver timely, cost-effective solutions for capital projects of any size, complexity, or location through a commitment to safety, quality, and client satisfaction [valdeseng.com].

## Products & Services
Valdes offers a full suite of in-house services covering the lifecycle of capital projects:
- **Architecture**: Building design and planning.
- **Civil Engineering**: Site development and infrastructure.
- **Structural Engineering**: Analysis and design of structural systems.
- **Mechanical & Electrical Engineering**: HVAC, plumbing, power, and lighting systems.
- **Process Engineering**: Design for chemical, refining, and manufacturing processes.
- **Instrumentation & Controls**: Automation and control system design.
- **Piping & Plant Layout**: 3D modeling and piping stress analysis.
- **Laser Scanning & Surveying**: Reality capture for existing conditions.
- **Project Management**: Full project controls, cost estimating, procurement, and construction management.
- **Validity & Integration**: Commissioning and system integration.
- **Plant Services & Support**: Ongoing operational support and staffing services.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (Private company)
- **Key Metric**: ~200 employees; completed over 7,300 projects across the United States [valdeseng.com].
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed. Privately held and managed by founder and leadership.
- **Growth Signals**:
    - Grew from a single-person civil/structural firm in 1992 to a 200-person multidisciplinary team.
    - Maintains long-term relationships with clients (still serves its very first client) [valdeseng.com].
    - Holds multiple professional licenses (Architecture, Land Surveying, Professional Engineering, Structural Engineering).
    - Certified as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) by the NMSDC, Illinois CMS, City of Chicago, and California PUC.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Minority-Owned Certification**: Certified MBE status is a differentiator for government and large corporate clients with diversity spend requirements.
- **Deep Industry Expertise**: 30+ years of focused work in complex, high-stakes sectors like refining, chemicals, and utilities.
- **Full U.S.-Based Execution**: All work is performed in the United States, ensuring quality control and compliance with domestic standards [valdeseng.com].
- **Integrated Multidisciplinary Model**: Offers architecture, engineering, and project management under one roof, reducing handoff friction for clients.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expand Service Lines**: Has continuously added capabilities (e.g., process engineering, laser scanning, staffing services) to serve a broader range of client needs.
- **Deepen Client Partnerships**: Emphasis on repeat business and long-term relationships, rather than transactional project work.
- **Geographic Expansion**: Maintains offices in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, with an increasing ability to support projects across the U.S.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Work Environment**: Emphasizes a collaborative, team-based atmosphere rooted in safety and quality. The company highlights a high number of long-term employees as a sign of a positive culture [valdeseng.com].
- **Flexibility**: Offers flexible schedules including a **9×4 weekly schedule option** and **remote work flexibility** [valdeseng.com].
- **Benefits Package**: Competitive salaries, 401(K) with company match, company-paid life/AD&D/STD/LTD insurance, PTO, and paid holidays (including Veterans Day for veterans).
- **Professional Development**: Tuition reimbursement, reimbursement for annual license fees, in-house and external training, access to a Learning Management System (LMS), and a mentorship program.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: A certified Minority-Owned Business that states a commitment to diversity of thought and perspectives [valdeseng.com].
- **Recognition**: Employee of the Year award, anniversary milestone celebrations, and appreciation awards.
- **Work Locations**: On-site roles are available in Lombard, IL; Griffith, IN; and Kenosha, WI. Some hybrid and remote positions are available for specific roles [lever.co].

## Sources
1. [valdeseng.com](https://valdeseng.com/)
2. [valdeseng.com - Who We Are](https://valdeseng.com/who-we-are/)
3. [valdeseng.com - Careers](https://valdeseng.com/careers/)
4. [valdeseng.com - Benefits](https://valdeseng.com/benefits/)
5. [jobs.lever.co/valdeseng](https://jobs.lever.co/valdeseng)

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