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Contract Relay Protection Engineer information

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$58K

$98.9K

$195K

How much do contract relay protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract relay protection engineer in the United States is $98,903.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract relay protection engineer?

Contract Relay Protection Engineers are specialized professionals who design, test, and maintain protective relay systems for electrical power networks on a contract basis. Their main role is to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical systems by preventing damage from faults such as short circuits or equipment failures. Working as contractors, they may serve utilities, industrial clients, or engineering firms for specific projects or periods of time. They are responsible for relay settings, system coordination, troubleshooting, and compliance with industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract relay protection engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Relay Protection Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, experience with power system protection, and typically a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field. Familiarity with relay coordination software (such as SEL, GE, or ABB), AutoCAD, and relevant protection standards (IEEE, NERC) is essential, and a Professional Engineer (PE) license is often preferred. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the reliable design, installation, and maintenance of protective relay systems that safeguard electrical grids and infrastructure.

What are some common challenges faced by contract relay protection engineers when working with different utility clients?

Contract Relay Protection Engineers often encounter varying design standards, documentation practices, and communication protocols when partnering with different utility clients. Adapting quickly to each client's specific requirements and ensuring compliance with their protection schemes can be challenging. Additionally, balancing multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining high-quality deliverables requires strong organizational skills. Effective collaboration with both in-house teams and client representatives is essential for successful project execution.

What is the difference between Contract Relay Protection Engineer vs Substation Engineer?

AspectContract Relay Protection EngineerSubstation Engineer
CertificationsRelay protection certifications, electrical engineering licensesElectrical engineering licenses, substation design certifications
Work EnvironmentField and project sites, electrical substations, power plantsSubstation facilities, project planning, and design offices
Employer & IndustryPower utilities, electrical contractors, energy companiesUtility companies, engineering firms, infrastructure developers

The Contract Relay Protection Engineer primarily focuses on designing, testing, and commissioning relay protection systems within electrical substations, ensuring system reliability. In contrast, a Substation Engineer oversees the overall design, construction, and maintenance of substations. Both roles require electrical engineering expertise and certifications, but their daily tasks and focus areas differ, with the relay protection engineer specializing in protection systems and the substation engineer managing broader substation operations.

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Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Relay Protection Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,903 per year, or $47.5 per hour.

Power Systems Protection Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

Houston, TX

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

We areseekinga skilled,passionateand dedicated Protection Engineer to join our SEL Engineering Services team.As a Power System Protection Engineer, you willbe responsible forensuring the reliable and secure operation of power systems by designing, testing, implementing, and effective protection and control schemes. Yourexpertisein relay protection and controls, relay coordination, and power systems will provide solutions and services that help our customers protect and control critical electrical infrastructure and power systems worldwide.

As aProtection Engineer, a typical day might include the following:

  • Design, develop, and implement protection and control schemes for power systems, including relay protection and control systems.

  • Create protective relay settings for transmission & distribution utilities, substations, and industrial clients.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including project managers, engineers, and technicians, to assess system requirements and implement protection strategies accordingly.

  • Work alongside industry-recognized protection experts while developingexpertisein advanced relay technologies, automation systems, transmission protection, and utility modernization initiatives.

  • Perform system testing and commissioning activities tovalidatethe functionality and performance of protection schemes.

  • Following and applying SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.

This job might be for you if:

  • You have a B.S.or M.S.degree in electrical engineering or relevant discipline

  • You have a strong understanding of power system protection principles, relay protection and control schemes, and relay coordination techniques.

  • You are familiar with relevant industry standards, such as IEEE, IEC, and NERC/FERC regulations.

  • You have proven experience in designing and implementing protection and control schemes in a utility or industrial setting.

  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex power system protection challenges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Possesses,understandsandappliesthe fundamental concepts,practicesand procedures ofpower system protection and related SEL products.

  • Train andassistcustomers with the creation, design, configuration, validation, installation,commissioning and operation of automation and/or protection systems.

  • Complete and implement assigned work within agreed upon scope,scheduleand budget toa high levelof quality and safety.

  • Participate in the preparation of functional design specifications.

  • Prepare andmaintaindetailed design documents, reports, checklists, test reports, and deliverables.

  • Follow and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World ClassManufacturing Principles.

  • Understand. Create. Simplify.

  • Other duties as assigned.
    Required Qualifications

  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline

  • 3+ years relevant application experience with electric power systems, industry practices, and protection design practices and philosophies

  • Good knowledge of electric power system protection and control

  • Working knowledge of electric power system design, studies, information and communication technology and protective relay applications

  • Willing to travel both domestically and internationally a minimum of 25% based on focus area

  • Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills

  • Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities

  • Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment

  • Background check results satisfactory to SEL

  • Negative drug testresult(s)


Preferred Qualifications

  • Professional Engineer License or equivalent certification

  • Electrical utility, industrial plant, consulting engineering, or system integrator experience

  • Project engineering experience

  • Experience developing ac/dc schematics, single line diagrams, wiring diagrams for protection and control applications

  • Experience developing settings configuration files for SEL devicesusingAcSELeratorQuickSet

Don'tmiss this opportunity to make a difference in the electrical power industry. Join Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and help shape the future of critical infrastructure!

Location Information:

  • Houston, TX-This position is located in Houston, TX. Ranked America's fourth largest city, whatever your interest you will find it here. Enjoy sports teams, world class dining, and first rate entertainment. Enjoy signature Houston attractions like Space Center Houston and The Grand Opera. Escape the city with easy beach access just one hour away. Houston offers exceptional schools and universities, making it a great place to live and work.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

  • We're 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
  • We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
  • We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
  • We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
  • Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data

New hires generally start between $110,000 - 175,000. We base our starting pay offer on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAMfilteror reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

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