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Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer Jobs in Ohio

Our Senior Relay Field Technicians perform testing/routine maintenance of Transmission and ... design (including protection & control engineering); substation construction; substation ...

Senior Relay Field Technician

Cincinnati, OH · On-site +1

$19 - $26/hr

Our Senior Relay Field Technicians perform testing/routine maintenance of Transmission and ... design (including protection & control engineering); substation construction; substation ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer information

What does a freelance relay protection control engineer do?

A Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer specializes in designing, testing, and maintaining protection and control systems for electrical power networks. Their work ensures the reliability and safety of power systems by detecting faults and automatically isolating affected sections. As freelancers, they provide these services on a project basis to utilities, industrial clients, or engineering firms. This role often includes tasks such as relay settings calculations, system modeling, and troubleshooting relay malfunctions, either remotely or on-site.

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

To excel as a Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, expertise in power system protection, and experience with relay coordination and system analysis. Familiarity with industry-standard protective relay software (such as SEL, ABB, or GE relays), CAD tools, and relevant certifications like NETA or IEEE are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage independent projects and collaborate with clients. These competencies ensure safe, reliable power system operation and successful project delivery in a technically demanding field.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance relay protection control engineers when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineers often juggle projects for several clients at once, which can present challenges such as managing varying technical standards, coordinating schedules, and ensuring clear communication across different teams. Each client may use different relay platforms or require unique protection schemes, so adaptability and strong organizational skills are crucial. Additionally, freelancers must be proactive in clarifying project scopes and deadlines to avoid misunderstandings and ensure successful project delivery. Building strong relationships and maintaining transparent communication with clients can help overcome these challenges.

What is the difference between Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer vs Substation Automation Engineer?

AspectFreelance Relay Protection Control EngineerSubstation Automation Engineer
CredentialsRelevant electrical engineering certifications, relay protection trainingElectrical engineering degree, automation system certifications
Work EnvironmentProject-based, on-site at substations or remotelyDesign, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems in substations
Industry UsagePower utilities, electrical contractors, consulting firmsPower utilities, automation solution providers
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for roles in protection schemes and control systemsRelated to automation and control system integration

The Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer focuses on designing, testing, and implementing relay protection schemes, often working independently or on contract. In contrast, a Substation Automation Engineer specializes in integrating automation systems within substations to enhance operational efficiency. While both roles require electrical expertise and work within the power industry, their focus areas differ: protection vs. automation systems.

What are the most commonly searched types of Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ohio?

The most popular types of Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ohio are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ohio?

For Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ohio look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ohio are:

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer job openings in Ohio as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Electrical Engineer, Transmission Protection

FirstEnergy Corp.

Akron, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


FirstEnergy rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 53 rated energy and utility


Job description


FirstEnergy
About the Opportunity
This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.
All employees who apply for a posted position must notify their supervisors that they have applied. Employees who have not been in their current positions for at least one year or who are in a position with specific requirements beyond one year, must obtain approval from their supervisor before applying.
A Transmission Protection Engineer is responsible for performing relay protection functions across FirstEnergy's (FE) transmission and sub-transmission systems. The primary focus is on studying and protecting the transmission and sub-transmission lines, system interconnections, and transmission and sub-transmission substations to ensure reliable operation. Engineers will primarily work on relay protection system designs, setting development and system analyses for those FE assets contained within FirstEnergy's service territories.
Positions are available in Akron, Ohio, Greensburg, PA and Reading, PA with consideration given to other reporting locations based on expertise within FirstEnergy's territories.
EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED DO NOT NEED TO APPLY AGAIN
Responsibilities include:
  • Providing technical support and guidance to develop transmission and sub-transmission infrastructure projects, plans and capital budgets to maintain the reliability and integrity of the FE transmission protection system.
  • Developing protective relay design specifications for transmission line and substation projects for use by Design Engineers in developing construction implementation packages. This includes specifying the types of protection schemes to be employed including specific details on relay models and communication architecture, instrument transformer selection, input and output contact assignments, etc.
  • Performing timely completion of modeling of the transmission system for short circuit calculation, relay modeling and coordination, breaker duty calculations and fault locating ensuring compliance with NERC, RF and FE protection criteria.
  • Developing relay settings for new and existing protection schemes. This involves performing relay setting coordination studies through the use of "time-current coordination" curves, "resistance-reactance" (R-X) diagrams, and step-distance diagrams, as well as the utilization of the short circuit, one-line, coordination graphics, relay checking and system simulator modules of the CAPE (Computer Assisted Protection Engineering) software program.
  • Participating in the peer review, electronic issuance, as-left verification and retention of all protection settings through the use of the company's setting management system - PowerBase
  • Performing timely analysis of automatic trippings of the transmission and sub-transmission systems. Gathering and analyzing SCADA alarm data, relay targets, digital fault recorder and relay event records and documents the findings in the ED Outage Analysis (EDOA) system. Following up on incorrect operations with work requests and corrective action plans to field personnel. Documenting findings and status of corrective action plans periodically to FE management and RFC.
  • Performing studies related to new load and generation interconnection facilities attaching to the assigned area
  • Performing transmission protection activities with the FE operating companies (distribution), other utilities, nonutility generation, the Regional Transmission Organization, and Reliability Councils
  • Following established procedures and retaining evidence to support compliance with the various NERC Protection and Control (PRC) Reliability Standards
  • Providing staff assistance to management and higher levels of professionals, as needed
  • Conducting technical research; Compiling and analyzing moderately complex data; Solving practical problems
  • Preparing technical reports and summaries; Making presentations when necessary
  • Demonstrating a solid commitment to all aspects of safety
  • Meeting customer needs by providing sound service and responsiveness.
  • Exercising sound decision making by developing alternatives and recommendations to technical work processes
  • Supporting FE storm restoration processes including performing assigned field storm roles during significant system disturbances

An employee hired at the Engineer IV level will be expected to perform all of the above responsibilities with more proficiency, and in a more independent manner. Further, the Engineer IV level employee will be assigned additional responsibilities related to those above.
QuEngineer II Qualifications include:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer's (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
  • A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
  • Minimum of 2 (two) years of Engineering experience is required.

Engineer III Qualification Include:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer's (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
  • A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
  • Minimum of 3 (three) years of Engineering experience is required.

Engineer IV Qualifications include:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering (BSEE, BSCE, BSME) from an ABET accredited institution is required. Acceptable alternatives are: (1) a Professional Engineer's (PE) License (2) a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited institution (3) a Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or technical field of study (non-ABET) plus an advanced degree in Electrical, Civil or Mechanical Engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program. Electrical Engineering is preferred.
  • A Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate is preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 (five) years of Engineering experience is required with a BS in Engineering or minimum of 7 (seven) years of Engineering experience is required with a BS in Engineering Technology.

All employees must have an account to use a FirstEnergy computer to apply for jobs. If you do not know if you have an account, please contact the IT Service Desk at 330-315-4357, Option 1 - 1 for assistance.

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