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Contract Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Senior Electrical Engineer

Loveland, CO ยท On-site

$159K - $175K/yr

Senior Electrical Engineer FLSA Status Exempt Mesa Natural Gas Solutions LLC is a growth-oriented ... Oversee Protection & Control Schemes, including relay settings, logic diagrams, SCADA integration ...

... relay matrices, power distribution, protection circuitry, and instrumentation interfaces. * Develop ... Partner with Test Software Engineers to develop integrated hardware and software test solutions.

... relay matrices, power distribution, protection circuitry, and instrumentation interfaces. * Develop ... Partner with Test Software Engineers to develop integrated hardware and software test solutions.

... relay matrices, power distribution, protection circuitry, and instrumentation interfaces. * Develop ... Partner with Test Software Engineers to develop integrated hardware and software test solutions.

Observe, interpret, and relay arm, lantern, or radio signals and all other indications affecting ... Wear required protective equipment such as: hard hats, hearing protection, safety-toe boots or ...

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Showing results 1-20

Contract Relay Protection Engineer information

See Fort Collins, CO salary details

$57.4K

$97.9K

$193K

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

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract relay protection engineer in Fort Collins, CO is $97,899.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,300.00 and $101,500.00 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.

Senior Electrical Engineer

Mesa Power Solutions

Loveland, CO โ€ข On-site

$159K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Senior Electrical Engineer
FLSA Status
Exempt
Mesa Natural Gas Solutions LLC is a growth-oriented company, manufacturing and providing superior responsible, reliable, power solutions to industrial markets. We manufacture best-in-class power systems and deliver industry leading service and customer support. We continue to be on the leading edge of generator technology by manufacturing sound attenuated, temperature-controlled generator sets in the United States to operate in any climate, and utilizing the best telemetry putting real time information in the hands of all customers.
Mesa strives to create an environment where all employees feel they are safe, respected, that their contributions are valued, and have equal access to growth and development opportunities. We offer our employees competitive base pay and a 401k plan; paid time off for vacation, holidays, birth or adoption of a child, and bereavement; Health, Dental, and Vision insurance where all employee and dependent's health care premiums are 100% paid for; Employee Assistance Programs; Life insurance, Short and Long term disability insurance, and Critical Health and Accident insurance.
Job Summary
The Senior Electrical Engineer specializes in power systems and utilities to join our engineering team in Casper, WY. This role is responsible for leading the design, analysis, and implementation of electrical power systems for utility-scale and industrial applications. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in transmission, distribution, and protection & control systems, as well as the ability to mentor junior staff and work closely with clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
Essential Duties
Design, Develop, and Review complex electrical power system designs, including generation, transmission, and distribution systems, ensuring compliance with applicable codes (NEC, NESC, IEEE) and utility standards.
Perform Power System Studies such as load flow, short circuit, arc flash, relay coordination, and transient stability analysis using industry-standard software.
Lead Project Engineering from concept through commissioning for utility-scale and industrial power projects, including preparation of specifications, drawings, and material lists.
Oversee Protection & Control Schemes, including relay settings, logic diagrams, SCADA integration, and field verification for substations and switchgear.
Develop and Approve Technical Documentation such as single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and interconnection requirements.
Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams including civil, mechanical, and operations staff to coordinate project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance with federal, state, and local utility requirements, safety regulations, and environmental guidelines.
Provide Technical Leadership to junior engineers, drafters, and field personnel, including mentoring and training on power system principles and safety practices.
Conduct Site Visits to support construction, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance verification of electrical systems.
Interface with Clients, Utilities, and Regulatory Agencies to address technical questions, provide progress updates, and resolve design or operational issues.
Drive Continuous Improvement by identifying opportunities for system reliability enhancements, efficiency gains, and cost reductions.
Respond to Operational Issues in real-time, providing root cause analysis and corrective actions for system disturbances or equipment failures.
All other duties assigned.
Education
Required
  • 4 Year / Bachelors Degree, the degree must be in electrical and power engineering from an accredited university.

Preferred
  • Graduate Degree, the degree must be in electrical and power engineering from an accredited university.

Experience
Required
  • 7 years' experience directly related to electrical and power engineering.

Preferred
  • 8 years' experience in electrical engineering with a focus on utility-scale or industrial power systems.
  • 4 years' experience with SCADA systems and integration of protective relays, PLCs, and communication protocols (DNP3, IEC 61850, Modbus).
  • 3 years previous work with regulated electric utilities, municipal power providers, or large industrial facilities.
  • Honorably discharged service veterans are preferred.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations
Preferred
  • PE license

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Comprehensive knowledge of electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems up to 230 kV or higher.
  • In-depth understanding of protection & control systems, including relay settings, logic design, and SCADA integration.
  • Strong working knowledge of NFPA 70, IEEE standards, NFPA 70E, and other applicable electrical codes and utility regulations.
  • Familiarity with renewable integration, microgrids, and distributed energy resources (DER) in utility networks.
  • Proficient in interpreting and developing technical drawings such as single-line diagrams, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
  • Understanding of construction methods, commissioning procedures, and operational practices for utility-scale power systems.
  • Proficiency in power system analysis tools (e.g., ETAP, SKM Power*Tools, CYME, PSCAD) for load flow, short circuit, arc flash, and coordination studies.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for troubleshooting complex electrical and control system issues.
  • Project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource coordination across multiple projects.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting, client interaction, and regulatory correspondence.
  • Ability to mentor and train junior engineers, technicians, and field staff.
  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and drafting tools such as AutoCAD or MicroStation.
  • Ability to lead projects from conceptual design through commissioning with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines while maintaining project timelines and budgets.
  • Ability to perform field work, including site assessments, inspections, and troubleshooting under varying environmental conditions.
  • Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply complex electrical codes, standards, and utility specifications.
  • Ability to quickly adapt to evolving project requirements, regulatory changes, and technological advancements.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus on safety, quality, and productivity.

Preferred:
  • Proficiency with power system analysis software such as ETAP, SKM Power*Tools, CYME, or PSCAD.
  • Strong knowledge of protection & control, substation design, and transmission/distribution systems up to 230 kV or higher.
  • In-depth familiarity with relevant codes and standards including NFPA 70, IEEE, NFPA 70E, and utility interconnection requirements.
  • Understanding of renewable energy integration, microgrids, and distributed energy resources (DER) in utility networks.
  • Project & Leadership Skills.
  • Proven track record in managing multiple projects from conception to energization while meeting budget and schedule.
  • Ability to lead, mentor, and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with clients, regulatory agencies, and internal teams.
  • Additional Assets.
  • Field commissioning and troubleshooting experience for switchgear, transformers, and protection devices.
  • Working knowledge of utility asset management and maintenance programs.
  • Safety-focused mindset with training in OSHA or NFPA 70E compliance.
  • Must be able to fluently speak, write, and read in English.

Culture Expectations
  • Action-oriented: Self-motivated, problem solver, takes initiative when issues arise, acting quickly and responding accordingly.
  • Disciplined: Focused, consistently following through with dedication to achieve high standards even when no one is watching.
  • Accountable: Takes ownership and accountability for your actions, good and bad.
  • Passionate: Passionate about what they do and who they work for, by bringing enthusiasm and commitment to every task and team.
  • Trustworthy: Reliable and honest, building confidence through integrity and consistent performance.

Physical Demands
  • Sitting- Constant
  • Walking or moving throughout facility- Frequent
  • Talking- Frequent
  • Seeing (Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus)- Constant
  • Hearing- Constant
  • Use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel- Constant
  • Bending or stooping- Occasional
  • Squatting or crouching- Occasional
  • Reaching- Occasional
  • Kneeling- Occasional
  • Pushing- Occasional
  • Pulling- Occasional

Working Conditions
  • Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions- Constant

Equipment & Software
  • Computer
  • Phone
  • Microsoft applications

Additional Job Requirements
  • Willing to consent to and pass a background check and drug screening.

Supervisory Responsibilities
  • None

Mesa Natural Gas Solutions LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status. EOE/M/F/D/V