Apprentice Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in California

About the Role

At Asplundh Electrical Testing, safety is not a priority—it is our foundation. The Senior Relay Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, reliable operation of medium‑ and high‑voltage utility substations through advanced protective relay testing, commissioning, and maintenance activities.

This position is ideal for professionals with a utility background who have hands‑on experience testing and commissioning transmission and distribution protection systems. You will serve as a technical lead in the field, guide crews through complex outage work, and reinforce Asplundh’s reputation for safety, precision, and service excellence.

We are experiencing strong growth and are immediately hiring Senior Relay Technicians with deep expertise in protection and control, relay schemes, and substation energization. If you enjoy solving complex protection challenges, leading safe work execution, and influencing system reliability at scale, we’d like to speak with you.

As a NETA‑accredited, independent electrical testing and engineering organization, Asplundh Electrical Testing sets the benchmark for technical excellence and unwavering safety across the utility, renewable energy, data center, and industrial sectors.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

What You’ll Do

• Lead job briefings and safety tailboards, reinforcing a “Safety First, Always” field culture
• Perform protective relay testing, calibration, troubleshooting, and commissioning on medium‑ and high‑voltage systems
• Test and validate transmission and distribution protection schemes, including:
• Distance, differential, overcurrent, breaker failure, and bus protection
• Verify control and protection circuits for:
• Power transformers
• Medium‑ and high‑voltage circuit breakers
• Feeder relays
• Capacitor banks and reactors
• Support outage planning, switching coordination, energization, and restoration activities
• Perform event analysis, relay target review, and disturbance investigations
• Lead and mentor onsite technicians; coordinate work execution with project managers, system operators, and utility customers
• Create and maintain accurate test reports, as‑left settings, and field documentation
• Participate in job walks, project estimating, and customer technical discussions
• Serve as a technical resource and trainer for developing relay technicians

Travel Requirements:
Work is performed at customer sites throughout the assigned region. Regular regional travel is required, with opportunities for extended assignments outside the region as needed.
✔ Company vehicle provided for regional work‑related travel.

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in protective relaying for utility substations
• Demonstrated experience testing medium‑ to high‑voltage (5kV–500kV) protection systems
• Strong working knowledge of microprocessor‑based relays
• Experience with modern relay test platforms
• Solid understanding of utility safety rules, energized work practices, and lockout/tagout procedures
• Ability to interpret:
• Protection diagrams
• AC/DC schematics
• Wiring and logic drawings
• Valid driver’s license; ability to work outdoors, travel, and lift up to 70 lbs

• NETA Level III or IV Certification preferred for Senior roles
  (Candidates at other NETA levels are encouraged to apply for opportunities across the organization)
• Experience with:
• Circuit breakers
• Power transformers
• Switchgear
• RTUs and substation communications
• Technical degree, apprenticeship, or military electrical training
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving history

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plan to help you secure your future
• Company‑provided life insurance for added peace of mind
• Supplemental life insurance options, including spouse and child coverage
• A variety of voluntary Aflac supplemental insurance programs
• Long‑term disability coverage
• Pre‑paid legal plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support personal and professional well‑being
• Paid time off to recharge and refresh
• Paid holidays
• Access to employee discount programs and helpful resources

Please note: For roles that fall within union‑represented territories, certain benefits and employment terms may differ from what’s listed here. In those cases, the applicable local union agreement will guide the specific benefits and provisions. We’re committed to transparency and will walk you through what applies to your location during the hiring process.

Who We Are

Asplundh Electrical Testing (AET) has been a leading provider of independent electrical testing services since 1981. Headquartered in Foxboro, MA, with regional offices across the country, AET specializes in substation commissioning, acceptance testing, and maintenance for clients in electrical transmission, distribution, and generation. As a NETA-certified company and a member of Asplundh Engineering Services—a subsidiary of Asplundh Infrastructure Group—AET is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality services at competitive prices.

An Asplundh Company

As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end-to-end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.

Our Commitment

At AET, we believe in tackling challenges together with our customers, leveraging our collective experience and resources to achieve success in every project.