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Entry Level Power Grid Engineering Jobs in Washington, DC

Sargent & Lundy

Entry Level Civil Engineer

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$62K - $90K/yr

Description This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your ... engineering and design team, you will work on a wide range of power plant projects and perform ...

Sargent & Lundy

Entry Level Civil Engineer

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$62K - $90K/yr

This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your civil ... engineering and design team, you will work on a wide range of power plant projects and perform ...

W.A. Chester, LLC

Field Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

... grid hardening projects. Our Core Values are clear and simple: Safety, Quality, Integrity, and ... Power Delivery Construction and Engineering solutions. About The Role The Field Engineer supports ...

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All JobsPower Grid Engineering JobsEntry Level Power Grid Engineering JobsEntry Level Power Grid Engineering Jobs in Washington, DC

Entry Level Power Grid Engineering information

See Washington, DC salary details

$34K

$78.6K

$133.6K

How much do entry level power grid engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level power grid engineering in Washington, DC is $78,559.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,300.00 and $88,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level power grid engineer do?

Entry level power grid engineers assist in designing, maintaining, and improving electrical power systems that transmit and distribute electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping with tasks like system analysis, equipment testing, drafting technical documents, and ensuring grid reliability and safety. Their role is crucial in supporting the stable and efficient operation of the electrical grid, and they often collaborate with other engineers and utility professionals. Gaining practical experience and learning industry standards are key components of this position.

What are some typical projects or tasks that an entry level power grid engineer might work on during their first year?

As an entry-level power grid engineer, you can expect to support senior engineers with tasks such as conducting load flow studies, preparing technical reports, assisting in the design and modeling of transmission and distribution systems, and performing site visits for equipment inspections. You'll likely use specialized software to analyze grid performance and help implement upgrades or maintenance plans. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including field technicians, planners, and regulatory specialists—is common, providing valuable exposure to different aspects of the power industry while building foundational technical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level power grid engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Power Grid Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field, along with a solid understanding of power systems and grid fundamentals. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, PSS®E, and SCADA systems, as well as the EIT/FE certification, is often required. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating and solving complex engineering problems. These skills and qualifications ensure accurate design, reliable grid performance, and effective project execution in a safety-focused environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Power Grid Engineering vs Entry Level Electrical Engineering?

AspectEntry Level Power Grid EngineeringEntry Level Electrical Engineering
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field; may include power systems certificationsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering; broader focus without specific power certifications
Work EnvironmentPower utility companies, transmission and distribution companies, renewable energy firmsVarious industries including manufacturing, electronics, energy, and consulting
Industry UsagePrimarily in energy, utilities, and infrastructure sectorsWide range of sectors including technology, manufacturing, and consulting

Entry Level Power Grid Engineering roles focus specifically on power systems, transmission, and distribution within utility companies, requiring specialized knowledge of power grids. In contrast, Entry Level Electrical Engineering offers a broader scope across various industries, with a general foundation in electrical principles. Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree, but power grid engineering may also value certifications related to power systems. Understanding these differences helps candidates target their job search effectively.

What are the most commonly searched types of Power Grid Engineering jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Power Grid Engineering jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Power Grid Engineering jobs in Washington, DC?

For Entry Level Power Grid Engineering jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Power Grid Engineering jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Power Grid Engineering jobs in Washington, DC are:

Entry Level Power Grid Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Power Grid Engineering job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,559 per year, or $37.8 per hour.

Senior System Protection Engineer 2 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy LLC.

Washington, DC • On-site

$118K - $161K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Sargent & Lundy rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

122nd of 449 rated engineering

Job description

Description
Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Senior System Protection Engineer to join our Grid Services team. This individual will have primary responsibility for system protection engineering-including relay settings, protection philosophies, and power system studies-with a secondary role in supporting and reviewing substation protection & control (P&C) design for high-voltage transmission and substation projects. Responsibilities include:
Lead the development and application of protection philosophies and settings for:
  • Transmission lines
  • Power transformers and autotransformers
  • Buses and breakers
  • Capacitor and reactor banks
  • Station service and auxiliary systems

Perform system protection studies, including:
  • Short-circuit analysis
  • Relay coordination and time-current curve development
  • Protection settings development and verification using CAPE and/or ASPEN (or equivalent tools

Configure, set, and troubleshoot microprocessor-based protective relays using vendor software such as SEL AcSELerator, EnerVista, and other major OEM relay software platforms.
Use Powerbase (or similar utility databases) to:
  • Manage relay records, settings, and configuration data
  • Align settings and documentation with client standards and change-management processes

Support event analysis and misoperation investigations, including:
  • Retrieval and interpretation of relay event records and oscillography
  • Recommendations for settings or scheme adjustments
  • Ensure that protection schemes and settings comply with client standards, NERC PRC requirements, IEEE/ANSI standards, and good utility practice.

Develop and review P&C design documents in coordination with substation design teams, including:
  • AC/DC one-lines and three-lines
  • Protection and control schematics
  • Wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, and panel layouts
  • Bills of material related to protection and control systems

Provide system protection requirements and markups to guide P&C design:
  • CT/VT ratios and burdens
  • Trip, close, and interlock logic
  • Communications and channel requirements for protection schemes

Support commissioning and field energization by:
  • Reviewing and commenting on relay and functional test plans
  • Responding to RFIs and field questions related to protection and control
  • Assisting with resolution of protection issues during construction and startup

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with the expectation of spending three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.
Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program (or equivalent).
  • 7 or more years of experience in system protection engineering for transmission and/or substation projects, including:
    • Significant hands-on responsibility for relay settings and protection studies.
  • Strong background in system protection and relay logic, including:
    • Line, transformer, bus, breaker failure, and capacitor/reactor protection philosophies.
  • Proven experience performing fault studies and relay coordination using CAPE and/or ASPEN (or equivalent protection analysis tools).
  • Proficiency with at least some of the following relay configuration and settings tools:
    • SEL AcSELerator
    • EnerVista
    • Other major OEM relay software
  • Experience working with Powerbase or similar relay/asset databases for managing settings and protection data.
  • Demonstrated ability to check and interpret P&C drawings:
    • One-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, and panel layouts.
  • Familiarity with applicable IEEE, ANSI, and NERC/PRC standards related to protection and control.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work directly with:
    • Utility clients
    • Equipment manufacturers
    • Construction and commissioning teams
  • Proven experience leading portions of projects, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and meeting schedule and quality requirements.

Valued but not required skills and experience:
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or the ability to obtain a P.E. within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Experience with protection and control design and settings for a range of voltage levels (e.g., 69 kV-230 kV and above).
  • Experience developing and reviewing P&C design documents in coordination with substation design teams.
  • Prior consulting and utility engineering experience supporting utility or ISO/RTO clients.
  • Experience supporting field commissioning, relay testing, and troubleshooting of in-service protection systems.
  • Familiarity with utility standards and practices for documentation, settings management, and change control.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy
In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:
  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance
  • Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range
$100,019 - $152,807
Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

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About Sargent & Lundy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sargent & Lundy is one of the most experienced full-service architect-engineering firms in the world. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services--from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance--with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private sector clients in the power and energy, gas distribution, industrial, and government sectors.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1891

Social media

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