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Contract Relay Protection Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kaav Inc

Protection and Control Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

SCADA, automation, relay settings, RTU configuration, and Protection & Controls engineering terms and concepts are a plus. * Experience working with the electric utility industry or petro-chemical ...

TechPro Power Group Inc

Relay Technician

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

Collaborate with engineers and field teams to implement relay protection upgrades and system improvements. Documentation & Compliance: * Maintain accurate test reports, maintenance records, and relay ...

Ulteig

System Protection Engineer

The System Protection Engineer acts as a technical leader and is responsible for the full scope of ... Strong knowledge in system modeling, relay coordination studies, and development of associated ...

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All JobsContract Relay Protection Engineer Jobs

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 Jul 13, 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 are Contract Relay Protection Engineers?

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 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Relay Protection Engineer, and why are they important?

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.
More about Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Relay Protection Engineer job openings:
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What states have the most Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs are:
Contract Relay Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Relay Protection Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 71% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,903 per year, or $47.5 per hour.
Protection Engineer

Protection Engineer

Electrical Consultants, Inc.

Pullman, WA

$113K - $174K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Electrical Consultants, Inc. (ECI) is a leading power engineering consultant firm that provides engineering, system planning and studies, technical consultation, project management, surveying, environmental planning, commissioning/testing and construction services to electric utilities, energy developers and industrials throughout the U.S. Our experience includes system voltages from 4.16 kV through 765 kV.

ECI has an immediate opening for a Protection Engineer. As a Protection Engineer, the successful candidate will provide power system protection services including system model development, short circuit analysis, relay settings development, area coordination studies, standards development, relay operation analysis, and technical reviews of drawings and relay settings. The successful candidate will also be in charge of mentoring less experienced engineers via direct training and technical review of work.

Minimum Requirements: BSEE or equivalent degree; 5+ years protection engineering experience; SEL Relay Setting Experience; ASPEN OneLiner or PSSE CAPE experience; excellent verbal/written communication skills; strong organization and planning skills; ability to work in a team environment; commitment to quality and accuracy; and a willingness to meet fast-paced project schedules required. P.E. license preferred. The successful applicant may be subject to client-mandated drug and background checking. Occasional travel/driving is required; therefore, the successful applicant will be subject to ECI's auto insurance carrier requirements. Applicants must not require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status) now or in the future.

Compensation Range: $113,000 - $174,000 Annually

Salary commensurate with experience and education. Benefits include:

  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401(k), profit sharing and employee stock ownership plan
  • Paid vacation, personal days and holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Continued professional education reimbursement

Electrical Consultants, Inc. (ECI) employs over 850 engineers, designers, project managers, surveyors, ROW agents, environmental planners, construction professionals and support staff in 37 offices across the U.S. The firm has more than 40 years of experience in the planning, engineering, and construction of a wide range of power delivery projects including substations, transmission lines, distribution systems, communication systems and industrial facilities.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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